The Importance of Pruning Plants

I recently shared a video of the sweet potato plants at the community garden I lead in Acres Home with my mother. She suggested I prune the leaves. Initially, I thought about pruning because they were taking over the raised bed area of the garden—not for growth and increased yield production. This prompted me to think more deeply about why pruning is essential for plant health and productivity. Before diving into the reasons, let me explain what pruning is.

Sweet potato leaves crowding up the garden.

What is Pruning?

Pruning is the removal or reduction of parts of a plant, tree, or vine that are not requisite to growth or production, are no longer visually pleasing, or are injurious to the health or development of the plant.

According to Britannica, pruning is “the removal or reduction of parts of a plant, tree, or vine that are not requisite to growth or production, are no longer visually pleasing, or are injurious to the health or development of the plant.” Pruning a plant is like giving it a haircut, trimming away certain parts to encourage healthier and more productive growth.

Pruning Encourages Plant Growth

Imagine a crowded playground with many children playing. When there are too many kids, they can't move freely and often bump into each other. Similarly, if a plant has too many branches and leaves in one area, they crowd each other out, blocking sunlight and reducing airflow. Pruning helps create an environment where each part of the plant gets enough light and air, reducing the risk of spreading diseases.

Pruning Increases Yield

Continuing with the playground analogy, think about what happens when the kids go back to the classroom for a snack. If there are too many kids, the teacher can't give each one enough snacks, so they all get a small amount, affecting their energy levels. Plants are similar: if they have too many branches and leaves competing for limited energy, each part gets less. By pruning, the plant can focus its energy on producing more and better-quality produce because it can absorb ample energy from the soil and sunlight.

Pruning Provides Shape to Plants

Pruning also helps shape the plant, making it easier to manage and ensuring it fits well in your garden space. Properly shaped plants are not only more visually appealing but also healthier and more productive.

Sweet Potatoes at the Garden

In the case of the sweet potatoes at our garden, I pruned the leaves and stems to encourage plant growth, increase yield, and shape the plants to prevent them from taking over the raised bed area. As shown in the photo below, this approach has helped manage their growth effectively.