What About Plants When You Paint?

You might think that the plants around your house shouldn't be an issue when you paint. They're outdoors, after all. You don't usually dust them or make special efforts to keep them clean. So perhaps you just go ahead and paint without considering the plants.

Not true. Remember, plants get energy from the sun through photosynthesis. The energy from the sun goes to the cells of the plant, which act like tiny solar panels, changing the electromagnetic energy of the sun into glucose, which is usable energy for the plants. Plants use this energy to grow, to heal damage to cells, and to perform all the other tasks that keep them alive.

Paint covers those cells and prevents them from gathering and transforming the sun's energy into fuel that keeps the plant alive. A drop of paint on one leaf won't kill your plant, but no amount of damage is necessary when you paint.

In the photo above, you can see how Sydney Painters Courtney & Wise prepare to paint near plants. Ladders and walking surfaces are carefully placed to avoid damage, and we cover the plants with protective drop cloths where they might be affected by drips of paint.

Your painters should do the same -- or you should do this yourself if you are your own painter.