If you’ve ever wiped a leaf and gone, “Wait… how was that much dust even on there?”, you’re not alone. Our homes are full of tiny particles – dust, cooking oils, pet fluff, city grime – and it all ends up right where your plants are trying to do their thing: on their leaves.

And those leaves aren’t just there to look pretty. They’re your plant’s solar panels. When they’re covered in dust, water spots, or general gunk, photosynthesis takes a hit and growth slows down. The good news? A simple leaf-cleaning routine can make a surprisingly big difference to how happy your plants are.

In this guide we’ll run through why clean foliage = better photosynthesis, how often to clean, what to use (and what to avoid), and how our Neem Oil Leaf Shine fits into the picture – without any over-the-top “miracle” claims.

Photosynthesis 101 (The Short, Non-Textbook Version)

Let’s keep this simple. Your plant’s leaves are covered in tiny structures that do two main jobs:

• Capture light – via chlorophyll in the leaf, turning light energy into chemical energy.
• Swap gases – through tiny pores called stomata, taking in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and releasing oxygen and water vapour.

For that to work well, leaves need:

• Light actually hitting the leaf surface (not getting blocked by dust and grime).
• Stomata that aren’t clogged by residue, hard water spots, or oily build-up.
• Reasonably clean surfaces so the very thin layer of air at the leaf surface (the boundary layer) isn’t full of gunk.

Indoor plants are already working with less light than they’d get outdoors. So when we add a film of dust over the top? We’re basically putting sunglasses on a plant that’s already sitting at the back of the room.

What Dust and Grime Actually Do to Leaves

So why is that grey film on your fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) or monstera (Monstera deliciosa) such a problem?

1. Less light = less energy

Dust and fine particles scatter and absorb light before it can hit the chlorophyll inside the leaf. Less light in = less photosynthesis out. Over time that can mean:

• Slower growth
• Fewer new leaves
• Plants that just look a bit “flat” or tired

Big, broad-leafed plants like peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), calatheas, and rubber plants (Ficus elastica) are especially prone to this because they’ve got so much surface area for dust to settle on.

2. Stomata can get blocked or coated

Stomata are tiny openings on the leaf surface that open and close to control gas exchange. When leaves are coated with sticky residue (cooking oils, heavy sprays, old “leaf shine” products, even hard water spots) you can end up with:

• Stomata that can’t open and close properly
• Reduced CO₂ uptake (which your plant needs for photosynthesis)
• Weird patches of yellowing or dullness where build-up is worst

We’re not talking instant plant disaster – it’s more a slow-down in how effectively the plant can do its job.

3. Gunk traps moisture and micro-mess

Dust and residue can hold on to moisture and general grime. Cleaner leaves mean:

• Less “gunk” sitting against the leaf surface
• A better view of what’s going on with your plant
• Easier to spot issues early – before they become a full-blown drama

Clean Leaves = Better Plant Check-Ins

One of the sneaky benefits of a regular leaf-cleaning ritual is that you’re forced to actually look at your plants. Close up. Leaf by leaf. That’s where the real magic happens for plant health.

When you’re wiping each leaf, you’re more likely to notice:

• Tiny specks or webbing under leaves
• Sticky residue that might indicate something’s been sipping on the sap
• Early discolouration, spots or deformities

That doesn’t mean your leaf-care routine is “treating” anything – it just means you’re inspecting the foliage more often and gently wiping away dust and general build-up as you go. Think of it as good plant hygiene and early-warning, rather than a cure-all.

How Often Should You Clean Indoor Plant Leaves?

This depends on where you live, how dusty your home is, and what’s going on around your plants (pets, kids, open windows, construction, busy roads, etc.). As a rough guide:

• Every 2–4 weeks for most indoor plants in average homes.
• Every 1–2 weeks if you live near a main road, have lots of open windows, or use heating/aircon a lot.
• Monthly or as needed for smaller plants, or those with very delicate foliage.

If you can write your name in the dust on a leaf, you’ve waited too long (no judgement, we’ve all been there).

What to Use (and What to Avoid) on Your Leaves

Good options

• Lukewarm water and a soft cloth – the classic. Gentle, effective, and safe for nearly all foliage. Perfect for a first pass to remove loose dust.
• Neem Oil, diluted and wiped on – a plant-based option designed specifically for foliage, not for cleaning kitchen benches. Our Neem Oil Leaf Shine is formulated for leaf care, not as a registered pesticide, making it a good fit for regular wipe-downs on indoor plants.
• Soft brush or paintbrush – handy for plants with lots of small leaves or hairy foliage you don’t want to rub (like some ferns or fuzzy calatheas).

Things we’d skip

• Household cleaners – anything you’d use on windows, benches or bathrooms? Too harsh. They can burn or damage foliage.
• DIY hacks like milk, mayonnaise, or olive oil – they might make leaves shiny for a hot minute, but they can clog pores, go rancid, attract dust and smell… interesting.
• Heavy silicone-based “instant shine” products – they might give a “wet look” but can create a suffocating film over time.

Plants aren’t coffee tables. They’re living tissue. If you wouldn’t put it on your own skin, think twice about slathering it on your monstera.

How to Clean Your Leaves Step-by-Step

Step 1: Pick your moment

Avoid blasting freshly cleaned, oiled leaves with harsh midday sun or strong grow lights. Morning or late afternoon is perfect, with gentle light and mild temperatures.

Step 2: Support the leaf

Gently hold the leaf from underneath with one hand to support the midrib, especially on thinner or larger leaves like fiddle leaf figs or alocasias. This helps avoid cracking or creasing the leaf while you wipe.

Step 3: Start with water

Use a slightly damp, soft cloth (microfibre is great - Our Leaf Love Gloves are an ideal option) and gently wipe each leaf, top and underside, from base to tip. This gets rid of the bulk of the dust and loose debris. 

Step 4: Add a leaf-care product if you like

If you’re using something like our Neem Oil Leaf Shine, follow the label directions. Typically, you’d:

• Shake the bottle well
• Lightly spray onto a cloth (rather than drenching the plant)
• Wipe the leaf surface gently, coating it with a thin, even layer

You’re not aiming for a thick oily sheen – just a light, even finish that helps lift remaining residue and leaves foliage looking fresh.

Hot tip: After any oil-based product, keep plants out of harsh direct sun or intense grow lights for 24–48 hours. It’s like putting on a fresh facial serum and then lying in full midday sun – not ideal.

Step 5: Use cleaning time as inspection time

As you wipe, check:

• The underside of leaves – especially near the veins
• New growth – for any distortion or spotting
• Stems and leaf joints – where little insects love to hang out

Again, our Neem Oil Leaf Shine isn’t a registered pesticide and we don’t claim it behaves like one – think of it purely as part of your regular leaf-care routine. The real win here is that when you’re wiping leaves regularly, you’re more likely to notice any changes or issues early on.

What About Hairy or Delicate Leaves?

Not all foliage loves being wiped. Some plants – like certain ferns, African violets (Saintpaulia), and fuzzy-leafed varieties – have a soft, velvety texture that can be damaged if you rub them.

For these, try:

• Using a soft, dry brush to gently dust the surface
• Letting a gentle, lukewarm shower run over the plant (in the sink or shower) and allowing it to dry in a bright, protected spot

Avoid using oils or leaf shine products on fuzzy foliage – they tend to cling in clumps and can cause spotting or rot.

Can You Just Hose Everything in the Shower?

Occasional “plant shower days” are great. In fact, I've given a run down on showering with your plants in an earlier blog. A gentle rinse helps wash off dust, especially for jungly clusters of plants. Just keep in mind:

• Use lukewarm water, not freezing or boiling hot.
• Let pots drain thoroughly afterwards so you’re not accidentally overwatering.
• Showers won’t remove sticky residues as effectively as a proper wipe with cloth and leaf-care product.

Think of showers as a nice reset, but not a total replacement for targeted leaf cleaning if your plants are in a dusty environment.

Where Neem Oil Leaf Shine Fits In

We developed our Neem Oil Leaf Shine because we wanted something that:

• Works as a regular leaf-care step in your plant routine
• Uses plant-based ingredients, not harsh household solvents
• Leaves foliage looking clean and refreshed, without that plasticky, fake-wet look

It’s designed as a leaf shine and foliage-care product, not as a registered pesticide. So, while it’s brilliant as part of a cleaning ritual – and that ritual naturally means you’re checking your plants more often and wiping away dust and general build-up – we don’t position it as something that’s there to “fix” specific plant problems on its own.

Use it alongside good basic plant care: the right light, decent potting mix, appropriate watering, and your regular fertiliser (our Indoor Plant Food is a great option for that steady feed indoors).

Putting It All Together: A Simple Leaf-Cleaning Routine

If you love a practical checklist, here’s a foolproof routine you can steal:

1. Pick one day per month (or fortnight in dusty homes) as “leaf day”.
2. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and grab a soft cloth.
3. Do a first pass with plain water, leaf by leaf, top and underside.
4. Follow with a light wipe using Neem Oil Leaf Shine on the cloth if you’d like a bit of extra help lifting grime and refreshing foliage.
5. Give plants bright, indirect light while they dry – no harsh midday sun or intense grow lights for 24–48 hours.
6. Use the time to check for early signs of trouble: weird spots, discolouration or changes in growth.

That’s it. No elaborate rituals. No weird household pantry experiments. Just regular, simple care that keeps your plants’ “solar panels” working at their best.

The Payoff: Cleaner Leaves, Happier Plants

Indoor plants are already compromising. They’re dealing with less light, drier air, aircon, heating, and the occasional brush from a passing human or pet. Keeping their leaves clean is one of the easiest, low-effort things you can do to help them make the most of the light they’ve got.

So if it’s been a while since you gave your monstera, philodendrons or ficus collection a good once-over, consider this your nudge. Grab a cloth, some lukewarm water, and your Neem Oil Leaf Shine, and give those leaves a bit of love.

Your plants might not say thank you – but the fresh growth, deeper green and healthier vibe? That’ll be your answer.