But when it comes to keeping houseplants looking good, a little attention to detail can go a long way.

There are the usual requirements of trimming dead or damaged foliage, rotating plants to prevent unbalanced growth and of course watering, but dusting the leaves of houseplants is one maintenance task many novices often overlook.

Indoor environments are not the most conducive for plant growth, particularly during winter when heaters cause exceptionally low humidity.

The low humidity gives rise to an increase in the amount of dust that settles and accumulates on the surface of leaves.

Dust and grime give indoor plants a lacklustre appearance, but this can be remedied easily. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe the surface. This prevents dust and grime from blocking the stomata of leaves. Stomates allow plants to transpire and exchange gases with the atmosphere.

If stomata become blocked, plants are unable to transpire efficiently, resulting in poor growth.

The dust also reduces the ability of plants to photosynthesise - this is how plants produce their carbon source for all metabolic processes. Clean leaf surfaces are important to good plant health.

There are several products on the market that will give leaves a bright, shiny finish that makes them look almost unrealistic and plastic.

Large leafed indoor plants like Ficus, Philodendron, Spathyphyllum and Dracaena are often subjected to leaf shine in commercial indoor plant displays.

But the regular use of these products can break down the cuticle of the leaf surface, subjecting the plant to potential damage or rendering plants more prone to fungal disease.

There are home-made leaf shines that some gardeners recommend, made from mixtures of milk and water, vegetable oils, banana peels and even mayonnaise.

Oils can block stomata, so choose wisely before shining.

Forget the shine and clean leaves with a weak solution of soapy water to remove dust and grime, as leaves without the fake shine look perfect, just the way nature intended.