Question
Hi Will,

I have a stromanthe (only green and white in color) that I bought at a garage sale 3 years ago.  I have not repotted it since (it is in a 6-7 inch pot) and it has had some good times and some hard times. There was summer when my mom didn't water it and it only had 2 leaves left when I found it.  I have revived it since, but it has also had really good growing spurts and dry browning leaves.  

My question is that at this moment the branches are very long (about 2 feet in places) and I want to trim it.  I do not know where to trim it as there are very few leaves near the bottom and I don't want to threaten it.  Can I start to cut it back slowly or should I just leave it and hope for the best?  What I am really wondering is that do I cut the branches above or below the branching out on the stem?  It is very straggly and not very pretty looking as the branches are growing out in all directions.   Can you please point me in the right direction?

Thank you so much,

Alexia

Answer
Hi Alexia,

Stromanthes need regular pruning to keep them from becoming leggy, as yours is. The stems can be cut just above a node - the joint where the leaf stem attaches to the branch. It is best to cut just above the node that is closest to the soil. This will leave the stem looking like a short stub. As long as the roots are still healthy, new leaf growth should emerge from the node within a couple of weeks.

You can try rooting a tip cutting by cutting a branch just below the uppermost node where a healthy leaf is attached. Insert this cutting in water so that the node is kept wet at all times. Wait for roots that are at At least one inch long before moving it to a small pot with soil.

I have written articles on pruning and propagating indoor plants that I will e-mail to you or anyone else who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com