Cutting back leggy stems is also an important step on a struggling plant’s road to recovery. Here’s how toprune this houseplantto keep it looking lush and full all year round. A thriving pothos with long, trailing vines can eventually outgrow its space. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Pruning your plant back can improve its appearance. Want more gardening tips? New growth in late winter or early spring is a sign that your plant is ready for pruning....

Pruning the plants may discourage the development of soil-borne fungal diseases in the plant. Controlling Size Pruning is a good way to control the size of tomato plants growing in containers. Otherwise, a vigorous tomato vine can outgrow its pot. The Spruce / Adriana Sanchez Ideally, choose compact tomato varieties for planting in containers to minimize pruning. Pruning Indeterminate vs. Determinate Tomatoes Not all types of tomatoes need to be pruned....

But take heartit is almost impossible to kill a mature, overgrown apple tree by pruning it. However, clearly diseased or damaged branches should be removed whenever you spot them. Mature apple trees will tell you when they need rigorous pruning because the fruit output begins to diminish. The Spruce / K. Dave Removing suckers and bad wood through heavy pruning stimulates the tree to produce more fruiting spurs. Pruning also opens up the branches so sunlight and air can reach the ripening fruit....

These attractive shrubs are known for their largewhite flower clusters. Whichever your preference is, we have the pruning solution. Read on to learn how to prune Annabelle hydrangeas properly. theendup/Getty Finally, theflowers dry outand fade to an attractive tan in fall, providing winter interest. Annabelles are also one of the best hydrangeas that will bloom in partial shade. Remove damaged limbs and any remaining flower heads. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova...

They make for excellentliving privacy screensand provide interest year-round. Pruning arborvitae is fairly easy and minimal. Plus, you’ll need to prune out any diseased, dead, or damaged branches. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Winter snow and ice buildup especially can lead to branch damage. Likewise, prune diseased branches as soon as possible to help contain the problem area. Avoid pruning later in the summer and into fall, as it can encourage tender new growth....

To help basil produce as many leaves as possible, learning how to prune the plant is key. Pruning basil increases both stem and leaf growth. Basil grows easily from seed but it needs warm soil to germinate. The Spruce / Colleen & Shannon Graham In northern climates, basil has a relatively short growing season. Be sure to always pinch or cut just above a set of leaves. Harvest any leaves on the portion of the stem you have pruned off....

Since theflowersare the most important aspect of these plants, their bloom time dictates when and how toprune clematis. Know when your clematis blooms. This method will sacrifice most of the flowers if the plant is a spring-bloomer. The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala Choose Your Size Start by deciding what size you want your plant to eventually be at maturity. Are you willing to climb a ladder? Consider Deadheading Deadheadingsends energy to create more flowers but prevents the whirlwind-like seedheads from forming....

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Clematis plants, includingclimbing vinesand spreading varieties, feature large,colorful flowers. Growing them is fairly easy, but pruning clematis tends to instill fear in some gardeners. This fear is unwarranted, as pruning simply comes down to when yourclematis blooms. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Like many large-flowered garden species, clematis vines are usually pruned to encourage new growth and more flowers. But when you prune them, do so as soon as they finish blooming in the spring....

This is basic maintenance pruning, similar to pruning that you would perform on other plants. This fact makes it a relative of the mulberry tree. The plant isindigenousto western parts of Asia and southeastern Europe. The Spruce / Kara Riley It is aninvasive plantin some areas of North America. Fig trees grow 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. They have a spreading habit. The Spruce / Kara Riley...

Before you reach for your pruners, double-check you know whichtype of hibiscusyou have. Does Hibiscus Need Pruning? For the best bloom, hibiscus should bepruned regularly. Wacharaphong / Getty Images It stimulates branching and creates a fuller bush. Pruning also lets in more light and improves air circulation. Pruners Not sure which pruners to buy? aimintang / Getty Images We’ve researched top-rated pruning shears, tested them, and compiled alist of the 10 best pruners....

Maybe you should probably cut away dead leaves or branches to keep the plant presentable. Or perhaps you’d like to encourage a more balanced growth pattern. A good rule of thumb for flowering species is to prune them just after they have finished flowering. The Spruce/Melina Hammer Also, check for areas of potential new growth, known as “latent buds.” Buds typically occur where the leaf joins the plant stem. Use kitchen scissors for slender branches, which may give you a cleaner cut....

If hydrangeas dontbloom, pruning at the wrong time could be the culprit. There are many species of hydrangeas, but six main ones are old wood or new wood blooming species. It’s OK todeadhead spent hydrangea headsin the summer; it will not harm the plant. The Spruce Deadheading and pruning (removing more than just the flower head) hydrangeas are two different techniques. This will maximize the new development and the number of flowers your shrub produces....

Read on to learn how to prune your lavender and the best time to do it. The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong Why Prune Lavender Without pruning, a lavender plant becomes woody. Deep at the center of the mounded semi-shrub, your lavender plant is trying to turn to wood. The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong The most important time to prune lavender is after flowering is complete, but this plant is forgiving....