7 Plants You Should Always Prune in Winter

Pruning is a great way to improve your plant’s health by cutting off dead, diseased, or weak branches or stems. Unfortunately, one of the most common gardening mistakes is not knowing when to prune your plants.

But before you sharpen your pruning shears, know that plants, whether young or mature, living indoors or outdoors, require that you consider seasons. Since most plants are dormant in winter, pruning them during their dormant season allows them to heal before the temperatures start warming up again.

Below are some plants you should prune in winter.

Benefits of Winter Pruning

Pruning in winter is a little challenging, but the procedure will benefit your plants in the next growing season. Pruning in winter is beneficial for a number of reasons:

1. Most plants are leafless, which makes pruning easier, and minimizes mistakes,
2. It has a less damaging effect on your plant’s roots,
3. As opposed to summer pruning, winter pruning is less stressful for plants,
4. It’s less likely to attract bacteria, fungi, and infection,
5. It gives your plants enough time to heal before spring’s new growth.

7 Plants to Prune in Winter

1. Common Abelia (Linnaea x Grandiflora)

This small evergreen shrub is part of the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family that you can prune in winter. Abelia blooms from late spring through fall, so pruning them in winter helps retain their shape and controls their growth.

Use hand pruners to thin up to 1/3 of old stems to promote new growth and prevent legginess. Don’t shear Abelia, as you risk cutting away new growth, leaving behind less healthy plant parts that’ll negatively affect your plant’s health.

2. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

Native to Asia, the butterfly bush is a drought-tolerant shrub that thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soils. In the spring and summer, the butterfly bush turns heads with its fragrant cone-shaped panicles that come in many colors, including lilac, white, and pink.

For the best flower appearance, aggressively prune this plant (nearly to the ground) in late winter. Before growing the Butterfly Bush, check your local state laws, as it’s considered invasive in some parts of the US.

3. Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

These flowers can be grown as annuals if you plant them outdoors or perennials if you grow them in containers that you can bring indoors during the cold winter months. Whether this plant is growing in the ground or in containers, hard prune it in winter to control its growth, avoid legginess, and prevent it from growing too large.

Note: When pruning, please wear gloves, as the plant can cause contact dermatitis, skin irritation, redness, and blistering upon contact. All parts of this plant are toxic to humans and animals.

4. Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)

Belonging to the Clethraceae family, the sweet pepperbush can grow up to 10 feet in ideal conditions. The shrub produces spicy-sweet fragrant flowers in narrow, upright panicles and tolerates different soil types.

Although it’s a low-maintenance shrub, prune 1/3 of old stems to the ground to promote new growth, prevent legginess, and manage its size. Cut dead, damaged, and diseased branches to prevent the spread of diseases. If you’re unsure whether the branch is alive or dead, clip the top, and if it’s white, it’s alive.

5. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

The ninebark is a sight to behold in spring and summer when it boasts small pink or white flowers in spirea-like clusters. The plant prefers full sun, partial shade, and slightly-acidic loamy soils to thrive.

Although this shrub is also low-maintenance, you can cut it to the ground to boost its health and promote new growth. Noted for its exfoliating bark, this fast-growing and drought-tolerant shrub is one of the native alternatives to an invasive plant named Common Buckthorn.

6. Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

The panicle hydrangea is a winter-hardy plant that blooms stunning pyramidal panicles of creamy white or rosy pink flowers. They prefer full sun, partial shade, and moist, well-draining soils to thrive. Prune the stems just above the fat bud (called a heading cut) to boost health and encourage the plant to produce larger flowers.

Note: When pruning, please wear proper gear because accidental ingestion can cause nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. In addition, this plant’s bark, flowers, and leaves are poisonous to humans and animals.

7. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Boasting deep emerald foliage and paper-thin pink, white or lavender blooms, the crepe myrtle is no stranger to heights. If you don’t prune it, don’t be surprised to see it cross 20 feet in height at maturity.

The plant is nearly leafless in winter, making it easy to prune dead, diseased, and old branches to make room for fresh growth. Named after Swedish botanist Magnus von Lagerstrom, the plant prefers full sun and well-draining soils to thrive.

The plant is somewhat drought-tolerant but requires protection to survive harsh winters.

Take a Leaf of Faith

Pruning is a great way to boost your plant’s growth, eradicate diseases, and encourage more blooms or fruits. In addition, winter pruning minimizes stress on your plants, makes precision cutting possible, and gives your plants enough time to heal before new growth.

Leave your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comment section, and as always, please share!

Happy Gardening!