Whenever you cut a plant, the key risks are introducing disease and stress to the plant. Understandably, if you bring a pair of household or kitchen scissors into the mix, the odds are not in your plant’s favour. However, if you use a clean and sharp cutting tool like small garden scissors, the chances of any disease affecting your plant are greatly reduced. When trimming a plant, be mindful to carefully inspect it before snipping anything. Check for disease, uneven growth, spindly limbs, and new growth. These factors will tell you where to cut and how much.
To look after yourself, make sure you have the right cutting tool for the job. If you’re cutting a thin stemmed indoor plant, use plant trimming scissors. If you’re pruning a woody-stemmed plant outdoors, use secateurs. Lightweight and ergonomic cutting tools that are suited to the job will save you from discomfort brought about by strain and friction.