January is when I slow down, look closely at my houseplants, and make small, intentional cuts. I’m not chasing growth right now. I’m clearing damage, reshaping lightly, and setting plants up so spring doesn’t feel chaotic. I never remove more than a third of any plant, and I skip repotting until later winter or spring.
Here are the seven indoor plants I actually prune in January and why.
1. Fiddle Leaf Fig
January is perfect for cleanup. I remove any damaged or spotted leaves and, if needed, trim a few lower leaves to refine the shape. I avoid cutting healthy growth too early in winter.
2. Pothos
This is a light touch only. I snip off yellowing or tired leaves and trim back leggy ends so the vines don’t look stretched by spring.
3. Rubber Plant
Winter is when its sap is lowest, so pruning is cleaner. I cut just above nodes to remove damaged leaves or guide the plant’s shape without pushing new growth.
4. Peace Lily
I focus on energy management. Yellow or collapsing leaves come off at the base so the plant isn’t wasting effort maintaining them.
5. Spider Plant
I thin, not sculpt. Dead or yellow leaves get removed from the base, and if the plant looks crowded, I take out a few older leaves to improve airflow.
6. Indoor Sage
Herbs still need discipline in winter. I trim lightly to prevent leggy stems, stopping well before woody growth so the plant stays compact and healthy.
7. Miniature Roses
I treat these gently. As soon as leaves fade or dry, I prune them away using proper shears. No shaping yet, just cleanup.
My January rule: prune for clarity, not growth. Small cuts now mean calmer, fuller plants when spring actually arrives.
