Find out how to grow Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) in your indoor garden. This eye-catching succulent is easy to grow as a houseplant if you know what to do. Discover the plant’s lighting, watering and fertilizing needs, and more. See care time stamps below.
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Today, I’m going to talk about the difference between pinching and pruning. You’ve likely heard or read the term “pinching,” but is it the same as pruning? The answer is that it can be, but it isn’t always the same.
In general, pinching is used to remove things like spent flowers, while pruning is more of a corrective action. However, both have the same result of removing parts of a houseplant.
Pinching usually refers to removing a small part of a plant at the growth tip using your thumb and forefinger. It can only be done on soft stem plants like this coleus. To pinch, you would simply pinch off the growth tip with your thumb and forefinger. This encourages the plant to grow fuller in that area.
African violets are another example where you can pinch off leaves at the base or spent flowers. Pinching can only be done on soft stem plants.
Pruning, on the other hand, is necessary for hard stem plants like palms. With pruning, you would generally use pruners or garden scissors to cut into the harder stem. It’s difficult and damaging to pinch hard stems, so sharp pruners are the right tool for the job.
For smaller diameter stems, use smaller pruners, and for larger pruning operations, use bigger pruners.
Pruning is a broader-reaching action compared to pinching. For more information on pruning and pinching, check out my Pruning How-To’s playlist linked below.
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Pinching vs. Pruning: What’s the Difference?
What is pinching in houseplants?
Pinching involves removing a small part of a plant at the growth tip using your thumb and forefinger. It encourages fuller growth and is used on soft stem plants.
Can pinching be considered pruning?
Pinching can sometimes be considered a form of pruning because it removes plant parts, but true pruning often involves tools and is typically more corrective.
What types of plants should be pinched?
Soft stem plants like coleus and African violets are ideal for pinching to encourage fuller, healthier growth and to remove spent flowers and leaves.
When should you prune instead of pinch?
You should prune instead of pinch when dealing with hard stem plants, such as palms, using sharp pruners or garden scissors to avoid damaging the plant.
Why is pruning considered a broader action than pinching?
Pruning is considered broader because it often involves shaping the plant, removing larger sections, or correcting growth, usually requiring specialized tools.
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