Shiny House Plant Leaves

Shiny houseplant leaves come from a healthy, well-groomed, clean plant. Like all surfaces in your home, leaves gather dust as well. Plants also filter dust with their transpiration process from the air. If dust is removed from plant leaves regularly, it not only helps to ensure their sheen but improves their natural transpiration and photosynthesis process. 

Avoid using commercial leaf-shine products because they can do more harm than good. In plants, photosynthesis occurs mainly within the leaves. Since photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, all of these substances must be obtained by or transported to the leaves. Carbon dioxide is obtained through tiny pores in plant leaves called stomata. Oxygen is also released through the stomata. Water is obtained by the plant through the roots and delivered to the leaves through vascular plant tissue systems (allows water and other nutrients to be transported throughout the plant). Here are some natural ways to shine leaves: 

• Milk Mixture Mix together equal parts of milk and water, and use the mixture to wipe plant leaves. This is highly effective in enhancing the natural shine of plant leaves.  
• Soap and Water Make a wash with a mild soap mixed in water. Dampen a cloth or tissue in soap water, and clean the plants. Make sure you are only wiping the leaves gently and not scrubbing them.
• Mayonnaise Using a paper towel, rub mayonnaise gently on houseplant leaves to get a glossy sheen. This also keeps dust from settling on the leaves.  
• Banana Peels Using banana peels is an organic way to shine houseplant leaves. Take a banana peel and using the softer inner part rub the surface of the leaves. The natural oils in the peel will shine the leaves and will provide a fragrance in the house. Use peels once a week or whenever plants are looking drab.

Commercial leaf-shine products should be avoided because they only clog the leaf pores. This makes it impossible for plants to release moisture of exchange gases.