To keep your indoor houseplants healthy and thriving they will occasionally need to be pruned or re-potted. The process is very similar to the plants and just as important. Dead or sick branches can affect the overall health of the entire plant and should be cut off. And there is the esthetic aspect of pruning, it gives you plants a nice and tidy shape.
If you are pruning a branch off of a plant that is diseased (with fungus) it is very important to disinfect your pruning shears after using them. If you do not, and continue to prune your healthy plants there is a chance the fungus will spread to your other plants. A solution of bleach and water will kill the unwanted organisms nicely.
When you look at the plant if it appears too full you can thin it out, this is important around the base trunk or stem. You want good air circulation around the plant and if the branches and leaves are too congested this will not happen. Trim enough of the excess foliage away to let the plant "breathe". When you are trimming branches to keep a uniform appearance to your plant just trim what is necessary. Prune the new growth to keep it inline with the rest of the plant.
As plants grow so do their root systems. If your plant isn't thriving or you notice that the roots are visible around the outside of the pot, your plant is most likely root bound. It is important to transplant the plant to a larger pot. Once you have chosen one and have prepared it for the plant very gently loosen the roots on the outside of the root ball. Then put the plant in the middle of the new pot surrounding it with new potting soil.
It is inevitable that insects or another infestation will make its way to your plants at one point or another. If you are dealing with pests in your indoor garden you may want to find a natural way to eliminate them especially if you have young children or pets in your home. There are ways to do this and most of them require ingredients that you can get at the grocery store.
When you find insects or another disease that is making your plant sick. Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the problem spreading to the other plants inside your house. Depending on the type of problem the solution will be different.
If your plants are being eaten by spider mites, you can eliminate the problem by making a solution of buttermilk and water. Put the solution into a spray bottle, put the plant in the bathtub and give a thorough once over. A mix of 50-50 is recommended, if this is too thick to use with the spray bottle, add more water for a thinner consistency.
You may be able to control aphids with a thorough washing of the plant leaves with water. Another recommendation is to kill a couple of the aphids and leave them in the bottom of the pot. They then emit an odor that lets the other aphids know that danger is near and they abandon the plant. If this method is used, do it outside so they can find another home that is not inside yours.
The natural and organic methods available for the wide variety of problems your plant can encounter are too numerous to list. These are the two most common pests, but with some research there is a natural solution to many more different insects or diseases that can affect a plant's health.