How and Why I Shine My Leaves 🌿✨💚🌟🍃🌱💫

My most commonly asked houseplant question addressed! Hope you enjoy the video 💚✨🌿
I completely forgot to mention that you should avoid using the neem oil mix on freshly unfurled leaves, I would recommend waiting until they have fully hardened off.
Keep an eye on your leaves, if you encounter any issues you should stop using the neem oil treatment. Sometimes I will just wipe down the leaves with filtered water on kitchen roll to give them a break from the neem oil mix. Make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle to avoid using too much oil as this could cause issues.
Even though I thought I was wiping down the leaves every month or so with the neem oil mix, when I checked my diary it's actually every 2-3 months with the oil and in-between I'm wiping them down just with filtered water on kitchen roll. Sorry for any confusion 💚
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💚Neem oil spray/drench mix:
I use 10ml soap, 5ml Neem oil to 1-litre warm filtered water. Products I use below ⬇️
Horticultural soap: amzn.to/2IiSLk6
Neem oil: amzn.to/3byF2F5
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💚biOrb AIR Terrarium:
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ELECHOMES top fill humidifier: amzn.to/359oJtl
HYGROMETER: amzn.to/2FctS7T
PureAire water filter: amzn.to/2IgDLDj
💚Neem oil spray/drench mix:
I use 10ml soap, 5ml Neem oil to 1-litre warm water. Products I use below ⬇️
Horticultural soap: amzn.to/2IiSLk6
Neem oil: amzn.to/3byF2F5
💚My preferred soil mix: Coir compost, orchid bark, perlite, activated charcoal and hydrodrain (ratio will depend on type of plant):
Coir compost: amzn.to/2FbM810
Perlite: amzn.to/2XkYw9f
Orchid bark: amzn.to/2XS5PST
Hydrodrain 10L: amzn.to/39YG1K9
Activated Charcoal: amzn.to/3ee11zZ
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My Lawnmower: amzn.to/2INX71w
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[@rbarrie7817]

This woman has the cleanest home I have ever seen, even the dirt in her yard is orderly! Share with us your cleaning secrets! ❤

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Ha ha thanks! My secret is that I’m always cleaning 😆✨🌿🌴

[@naimahq8739]

Hahaha riiight

[@gdkdiaries7467]

I’m just here to send all plantmom and plantdads a full blessings of good vibes. No matter how hard it get just keep the love alive, for the plants, for the nature, for Mother Earth, for our neighbors and much more to yourself. ❤️Im a new subscriber by the way, and we have same interests it’s just great to be in a family of plant lovers.

[@xnis2809]

Hi, i'm addicted to your videos! I love your indoor jungle, your beautiful garden and your lovely birds! Your videos make me feel better! 💚🦜🌿🌴

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Thanks so much! That makes me very happy to hear 💚🌿🌴✨🌺🦜

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

My most commonly asked houseplant question addressed! Hope you enjoy the video 💚✨🌿 I completely forgot to mention that you should avoid using the neem oil mix on freshly unfurled leaves, I would recommend waiting until they have fully hardened off. Keep an eye on your leaves, if you encounter any issues you should stop using the neem oil treatment. Sometimes I will just wipe down the leaves with filtered water on kitchen roll to give them a break from the neem oil mix. Make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle to avoid using too much oil as this could cause issues. Even though I thought I was wiping down the leaves every month or so with the neem oil mix, when I checked my diary it's actually every 2-3 months with the oil and in-between I'm wiping them down just with filtered water on kitchen roll. Sorry for any confusion 💚

[@michelledemars5938]

Your plants are just gorgeous!!! I love all of them, such a great collection:)

[@nanayjeth7528]

Just what I needed! Planning to do some plant TLC today. Thank you and I wish you a blessed and beautiful 2021.

[@obayedh]

Ah~! That's the secret! Much thanks for sharing with us :)

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

You’re welcome! I have been answering everyone’s questions individually on the topic over the years but it’s much better to show it properly in a video 🌿💚🌴✨

[@titztv9133]

thank you for the good info I love ur plants with shiny leaves they look so attractive. have a nice day

[@barbara4944]

Thanks for sharing Hannah. Usually when I do my weekly "stem check", I will use a wet wash cloth to wipe down all the leaves. They are happy afterwards.

[@JennyKylie]

Sooo many beautiful plants😍🌱. Really awesome. Thanks for sharing your routine with us!

[@Greenleaves]

Thank you for sharing your plants and I love to seeing your garden my friend 💕💗😍☕🍷

[@JassyJProjectPinkPanda]

I do the same thing! I just love how neem oil makes the leaves shine and the colors pop! Great video!

[@loverslanehawj6244]

I didn’t know neem oil can be used as leaves shine....besides getting bugs/mites off. I was browsing local Lowes and did pick up a spray bottle specifically for leaves shine. Too many choices lol, but had I known....I’d just stick with neem oil (2 in 1) right.

[@JassyJProjectPinkPanda]

@@loverslanehawj6244 right! Well, now you know for next time 💚

[@deborahhogan4885]

Hannah thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful plants 🌱

[@Aileensjournal]

I love your plants 🌱 video thanks for sharing your ideas

[@pascalelebon7994]

Hello. Toujours un réel plaisir de voir vos vidéos. Ne changer rien. 🥰

[@123astbury]

🌻 I wipe down my plant leaves when I need to de-stress. It's quite relaxing.

[@carrier6517]

Great video Hannah, good advice and instructions, thanks :)

[@jeffzimmerman25]

Thanks for the helpful info!

[@rozklapiocha2013]

I use the same method 🌱🌿🦋☀️🙏. Best regards 💚

[@kmills1320]

Informative, I’ll be purchasing neem oil & soap….house proud, your home looks great…thanks

[@chrystalsabin4091]

Great information, thanks for sharing.

[@MammilariaElongata]

Lindas plantas💚

[@NewMindGarden]

Beautiful

[@aldonastraczek]

I'm admirative. I just pop my plants in the shower and shower the leaves to clean them.

[@canaldarai8632]

Olá!!! Folhagens maravilhosas 💖💖💖💖😍😍😍beijos 😘

[@muhammadwasim4066]

Good information thanks for sharing it with us 👌🏻👍🏼 Best Regards Muhammad Wasim

[@valzygarsea9808]

I use bamboo kitchen roll for this . It nice and soft. Holds the neem oil mix well and it is reusable so cheap in long run. Worth a try, I highly recommend it.

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Thanks I haven’t heard of that before! 🌿💚

[@laurievanduyne1358]

Thankyou! Great video!

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

You’re welcome! 💚🌿✨🌴

[@lovethegarden.kumariyeline4835]

Good information.

[@SpiderFarmer]

💚💚

[@tinamarieussery3063]

Thank You

[@effrosyniserifi3687]

Αγαπώ !

[@cindybellwood110]

When you get new houseplants do you shake off the old soil and repot them in your mix or just plant them in your mix? The soil mine come in is very dense and stays too wet.

[@evitetriyani6005]

Very shine😍😍😍😍

[@niveditakumarisingh6235]

Helpful video ....thanx ..

[@joesdi]

OMG beautiful! I Iove plants but personally, I cannot sustain this way of having plants. I have kids and pets and I love to travel so this is just a bit farfetched for me, I wish I can stay home and have all this time - post pandemic. 😭 I'll just stick to Cacti for now 😁

[@cindybellwood110]

What happens when your alocasias go dormant? How long does it take you to get them growing again?

[@saraguadalupeescobarperez6692]

Que hermoso 💖💐☘️😚🇲🇽🇲🇽🙋

[@drawinglearning]

Thanks

[@Omlittlebuddha]

Do you have a video on how to do a soil drench for bugs?

[@dogwater3131]

Super 👍

[@mariagiannopoulou9389]

Oh my god im jealous!

[@auriceliaalbuquerque5184]

Que lindas

[@CA-pr8gz]

I like ...... beautiful

[@mamiindra9085]

Thx ur video....

[@younglee3285]

Your plants look so healthy! Do you have a recipe you follow i.e. ratio of neem oil and soap to water?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Yes I just follow the instructions on the back of the bottle. I have also included the ratios in the description box… A bit further down 💚🌿

[@zokamaric1101]

❤💙💚💛💜

[@92Pyromaniac]

Don't know if this is true but I heard on another video that neem oil breaks down fairly fast and loses its pesticidal properties once you mix it up, and that's why it's better to make it fresh. I guess as a shine that matters less.

[@marjt8085]

Thanks for sharing. Do you also clean the back part of the leaf?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Yes ✨🌿💚☺️

[@Nikolas_kloudas]

Can I use dish soap?

[@cherylparks9780]

Your collection is gorgeous💚💚💚💚. Do you wipe down with plain water afterwards???

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Thanks! No just the neem oil mix like I show in the video🪴💚

[@navdeepsingh-pk5qk]

Cute woman you have to suggest me some indoor big plants with strong stem with shining leaves 😘😘

[@lindseyowen822]

For how long after using the neem oil do you have worry about burning from light?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

I would keep them away from strong sun or close to grow light until you wish to wipe it off with water or stop using it after a month or so? I’m not totally sure. Bright indirect is fine after 24 hours of application. The directions say to avoid applying in warm daylight hours. Some plants are not quite as sensitive… My Croton gets the neem oil treatment and is fine on my east facing window that receives filtered sun throughout the day (the leaves are quite thick though)

[@evitetriyani6005]

How u can clean all ur plants 😀😀😀

[@mcanallyfamily4571]

Hi I have recently found your channel. I love it. Just started collecting rare plants. This is very useful info, can I ask if the leaves have to be fully hardened off to use the spray. Just wondered if it might damage young leaves?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

I would wait until they are hardened off yes! Completely forgot to mention that 💚✨🌿

[@mcanallyfamily4571]

Thank you for replying. I've ordered from your link to Amazon. Think it's going to be very therapeutic going to each plant and giving them a make over.🙂

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@mcanallyfamily4571 thank you! 💚 Yes it’s very satisfying cleaning and shining the leaves. Plant pamper session ☺️✨🌿

[@mcanallyfamily4571]

Can I foliar feed if I've used this? Just wondering if it will go through to the leaf or would the layer of neem oil stop it?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@mcanallyfamily4571 Hi there sorry I haven’t got a clue as I have never used foliar feed… I use liquid fertiliser

[@susanhurst3292]

I was told that you can't use leaf shine on Peace Lily

[@tottik2376]

Hello Hannah.. How often do you use this for your plants? Can I use this for babyplants too? 🙋‍♂️

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

These days I only do this every 3 months or so. In between I’ll wipe with microfibre cloth or just water on kitchen roll 🌿 I wouldn’t recommend wiping new growth

[@andyandy2684]

Hi....does the neem/soap mixture you're using have a strong neem oil smell? Mine does and I'm wondering if there's another type of oil I could use which doesn't have such a strong smell. Thanks

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Yes the neem oil does have quite a strong smell to it. I’m not sure what other types of oils would be suitable to use on plants to be honest

[@greenbeard.affliction]

Nothing can prepare you for the first time you smell the stuff!

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@greenbeard.affliction I think I’m used to it now 😆🌿

[@andyandy2684]

Tropical Plant Addict ... Thanks.:)

[@godblessingkeshia2162]

Hi, hope u ok can u please ask were u get the grow light from please that u have in ur living room thanks .

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

The bulbs are from Amazon, they are linked in my amazon shop along with all products I use/recommend 🌿✨

[@godblessingkeshia2162]

@@TropicalPlantAddict thanks I have order the oil and soap thanks

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@godblessingkeshia2162 you’re welcome ☺️✨🌿

[@plantsandpiggies7758]

Thanks! I was using neem oil to clean my leaves too but then I heard that the best thing to use is just to wipe with water because oils and leaf shines are bad for the leaf- blocking the pores or something. I heard this from on the ledge podcast. Is this true and have you heard this too? Thanks for your help!

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

I haven’t had any issues over the years but I would perhaps dilute the mix with less oil if you are unsure. Or maybe alternate with neem oil treatment with just water the next month ☺️🌿✨🌴

[@plantsandpiggies7758]

@@TropicalPlantAddict Thanks for your help. I'm relieved to know I can use neem and it won't be bad for the leaves.

[@mairwaugus5203]

You can always clean the leaves with lemon juice and water! 🪴

[@evitetriyani6005]

Im use leafshine

[@kalisfinest805]

Every time I use the same mix my spray bottle gets clogged up, have you experienced that?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Oh ok that must be annoying! No never, and I have had this spray bottle around 2 years

[@Annie-to8ef]

I just use wet papertowel with a drop of baby oil.

[@sharonroseignes3355]

neem oil breaks down easily after some time so i discard leftovers..

[@GardenIdeasyt]

How often do you wipe your leaves

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Every month or so 🌿

[@amyjones2490]

Do you use this mix on your begonias?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Yes on my maculata wightii ☺️

[@ellenmanansalavlog5061]

ang gaganda nla hope mabisita mo din halaman ko host

[@Lex-rd4cj]

Oh my, you really wipe down the single leaves of the pothos? Have you tried just showering it, giving it a light shake, spraying it down with the neem solution and then just letting it airdry? Or is there any particular reason why you wouldn't want to do it that way? :O

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

The ones that are in hanging baskets or attached to the wall are difficult to take down in shower so I just prefer to wipe down the leaves… I don’t wipe down the leaves of my pothos very often so it’s not a problem

[@Changesonemack]

Remember the Stomata on underside of leaves. neem oil may clog the stomata and prevent the all important respiration and transpiration; cause problems with health and growth of plant.

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

If the product is mixed up correctly with the right ratios as directed on the bottle for leaf spray/drench you shouldn’t have any issues. I’ve been using it for over two years and I’ve never had any problems. If you add too much oil or wipe too often you could encounter problems 🌿

[@garycard1456]

Doesn't a sticky (although thin) neem oil attract dust particles? Although I mist the leaves using deminerlalised/distilled water, I've never tried shining leaves, so I wouldn't know. Maybe there are no harmful effects from applying a thin neem oil coating to the leaves. I was just thinking that it is not a good idea to block the pores (stomata) of the leaves. Some oils, when exposed to oxygen in the air, go 'rancid'. They undergo what is termed lipid peroxidation, generating harmful free radicals in the process. I would not think it is a good idea to encourage free radical reactions where they could potentially damage leaf tissue. But, considering that you obviously have very healthy plants, applying a fine coat of neem oil over the leaf surface has no harmful effects after all.

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Throughout the years I’ve never had an issue with applying this treatment. You could even dilute the mix so there is less oil if preferred. If you are wiping them down every month so you won’t have an issue with dust. Alternatively you could just wipe the leaves down with filtered water, like I do with my velvet varieties, you just won’t get the shine 🌿

[@garycard1456]

@@TropicalPlantAddict How do your plants cope with the central heating, which tends to lower the humidity in the air? I suppose you use a humidifider, as I do (the 'RAM' brand 30L capacity ultrasonic humifier I purchased from a hydroponics specialist). It works very well, boosting the humidity from 50% (when the humidifer is not in operation) to 70%+ humidity with the humidifer on. This time of year, though, the north-facing wall of my home is especially cold, and all the excess moisture condenses on it (this does not happen with the warmer walls).

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@garycard1456 I run two humidifiers 24/7 🌿✨

[@strayargus9382]

Wouldn’t the oil build up overtime and close up the pores of the leaves? Your plants look great tho

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

If you use too much oil when you mix it up that’s quite possible… I’ve been using this for around two years and have never had a problem. Also now and again I’ll just wipe down the leaves with filtered water on kitchen roll without any neem oil mix. The instructions of how much oil you need to add to the mix is on the back of the bottle 🌿

[@strayargus9382]

@@TropicalPlantAddict thank you so much for the answer! Love your channel

[@thedave7029]

Hi 🙂

[@iwanwet7704]

greetings one hobby, I'm from Indonesia looking for ornamental plants,

[@autumn5852]

What’s the difference between paper towel and kitchen roll?

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

It’s the same thing I believe

[@autumn5852]

@@TropicalPlantAddict 👍🏽 thanks, I thought so but being autistic I’m never sure 😭🙈🤦🏻‍♀️ and I have heard both words used before so I thought I’d take the opportunity to see if they’re the same or different. A bit like napkins and serviettes 🤔 🤷🏻‍♀️ autistic struggles, which I wish didn’t bother us so much, but they do 🤷🏻‍♀️ ah well ☺️ thanks for answering me 🙏🏽💓💓💓

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@autumn5852 I think it’s called paper towel in the US and kitchen roll here in the UK 💚

[@autumn5852]

@@TropicalPlantAddict ahhhhhh, that makes sense, so it’s a wonder I’m not calling it paper towel as I’ve watched so many KZbin videos in the last few years while I’ve been in this extreme burnout that I sometimes forget our English words for things 🤪 so I think I confuse myself sometimes 😏 and it’s always refreshing to watch someone from the uk ~ not that I’m patriotic or anything, that’s probably not even one of our words, but it’s just nice to have more understanding of what the person I’m watching is talking about, especially when I’m in a hyper manic state (I also have ADHD 😪) which is when my autism traits take over and I get very pedantic about the least of things 😭 On a high note, I’m currently cleaning/shining the leaves of my plants for the very first time (I’m a very new plant mummy) following your method and measurements and I’m only on plant number one but I’m loving it already and I’m very impressed 😍 and I can see why it’s better if we keep on top of this but I’m actually really loving it, as one of your other viewers said, it’s very relaxing but I don’t ever want to let them get so dusty again. So thank you for all your tips and lovely videos, they help a lot as well as inspiring me ☺️💞💓

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

@@autumn5852 You’re very welcome! Happy shining 😁 I don’t tend to use the neem oil mix much these days to shine the leaves, very occasionally. I use a microfibre cloth every month, but you can’t beat the shine with the oil 💚🌿🌴

[@TukangTamanIjoasri]

Glasses

[@candidaayala3948]

How to better care for my indoors plants and I am working long extended hours? Which plants are better for indoors?

[@user-ou3ip8qs2m]

Please make Russian subtitles, I watch you very interesting, but nothing is clear😒

[@evitetriyani6005]

Beautiful