Pruning is the plant equivalent of getting a haircut. At the very minimum you’ll want to prune off dead leaves as you see them, but most plants appreciate a more aggressive trim every once in a while. Pruning keeps plants looking healthy and full rather than unkempt and mangy. Trailers like pothos and tradescantia especially benefit. If you let it go too long, your plant may need more drastic down the road, and it will take much longer for your plant to regain its looks. How and when to prune When you snip off a plant’s stem, it sends out two new shoots just below the cut. Instead of growing one long stem, it grows two shorter ones. The result is a compact, bushy, attractive plant. Pinching off just the tips of shoots with your fingers will have the same effect. Pruning should be done as needed during the growing season, at least a couple of times. When to sheathe the shears Some plants don’t need pruning. Succulents and cacti fall into this category, as do plants that send up shoots directly from the soil such as peace lily, spider plant, and ferns. For these plants, only trim off brown and yellow leaves as needed.