Catmint (Nepeta) is a hardy perennial loved for its fragrant grey-green foliage and vibrant purple-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall. This tough, drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and is popular with pollinators. While an easy care plant, catmint does require pruning at strategic times to maintain its beauty and maximize flowering.
Why Prune Catmint
Here are the main reasons to prune catmint
- Encourage compact, bushy growth instead of leggy, floppy stems
- Remove spent flower spikes to promote reblooming
- Maintain size and shape, preventing spread
- Improve air circulation and light penetration
- Eliminate dead, damaged or diseased growth
Regular pruning keeps catmint looking its best and producing abundant blooms It’s an essential part of care for this perennial
When to Prune Catmint in Spring
The optimal time to prune catmint is early spring when:
- New growth emerges at the base of plants
- Daytime temperatures reach about 60°F
- Chance of frost has passed
- Flower spikes begin emerging
Pruning in early spring removes dead winter foliage and shapes plants before the main flowering. It allows time for new foliage to generate before bloom season starts.
Spring Pruning Tips
- Cut back old flower stems to just above new basal growth
- Remove up to 1/3 of total plant height
- Prune lightly the first year to avoid overthinning young plants
- Disinfect tools between cuts to prevent disease spread
Proper spring pruning establishes a foundation for healthy, floriferous catmint plants. An additional pruning later on will boost blooms even more.
Summer Pruning for More Flowers
To maximize catmint’s long bloom period, give plants a midsummer haircut. Here’s when and how to summer prune:
- Prune in July or August, about 6-8 weeks after initial blooms fade
- Cut back stems by 1/3 to remove spent flower spikes
- This stimulates new growth and flower buds
- Make cuts just above strong basal shoots or fresh leaves
Deadheading faded blooms as they appear is also recommended through summer. Combine with a midsummer cut back for the longest bloom time.
Avoid cutting catmint back after mid-August. This allows time for new growth to harden off before winter dormancy.
What to Remove When Pruning
When cutting back catmint plants, remove:
- Old flower stems down to leaf sets or new shoots
- Leggy, non-flowering stems
- Weak, broken or diseased stems
- Overgrown shoots for reshaping
- Up to 1/3 of total plant height
Leave emerging leafy shoots intact to fuel regrowth. Don’t cut plants entirely back to the ground.
How to Prune Catmint
Follow proper technique when cutting back catmint:
- Use clean, sharp bypass hand pruners or gardening shears
- Cut at an angle just above a leaf node or new shoot
- Clear away debris and dead leaves when finished
- Disinfect tools between plants to prevent disease spread
Avoid cutting back more than 1/3 of the plant’s total height. Overpruning can stress plants. Go slowly, assessing where to make cuts.
Aftercare for Pruned Catmint
Proper aftercare is also critical after cutting back catmint:
- Water thoroughly after major pruning to reduce stress
- Apply a balanced fertilizer to nourish new growth
- Watch for new sprouts emerging in a few weeks
- Prune lightly to shape new growth as needed
- Monitor for pests/diseases and treat promptly if found
With attentive aftercare, catmint will recover quickly from pruning. Avoid overcutting, water sufficiently, and monitor regrowth.
Avoid Pruning Catmint in Fall
It’s best to avoid heavy pruning of catmint in late summer or fall because:
- Removing protective foliage before winter leaves plants vulnerable
- New growth triggered won’t have time to harden off before frost
- Tender new shoots and leaves may winterkill
At most, only remove spent flower spikes in very early fall. Leave the bulk of foliage intact entering winter dormancy.
If you must prune catmint late, only cut back 1-2″ to remove dead growth. Avoid major fall pruning.
Signs Catmint Needs Pruning
Watch for these cues that your catmint would benefit from pruning:
- Plants appear overgrown and open at the center
- Stems are leggy and thin with reduced leaf sets
- Few flowers are produced, mainly on outer tips
- Old flower spikes and dead leaves clutter interior
- Plants lose shape and spread into adjacent areas
Routine pruning restores a shapely habit, healthy foliage, and abundant blooms. Time it right for peak catmint performance.
Catmint Pruning Guidelines
Follow these best practices when cutting back catmint:
- Prune first in early spring as growth resumes
- Remove up to 1/3 height to shape and thin plants
- Cut back again midsummer to renew flowering
- Avoid heavy pruning past mid-August
- Use cleaned, sharp bypass hand pruners
- Disinfect tools between plants to prevent disease spread
- Water after major pruning and feed with fertilizer
Well-timed pruning keeps catmint neat and floriferous for seasons of beauty. Let those flowers flourish with perfectly timed cuts!
Pruning Diseased Catmint
If catmint is affected by powdery mildew, remove infected parts of the plant and flowerheads. This reduces the workload for the plant so it can focus energy on fighting the fungus rather than producing blooms.
Catmint Pruning FAQs
Should you cut back catmint in summer?
Yes, cut back catmint in summer to remove faded blooms and leggy growth. This stimulates fresh foliage and flower buds. Prune around July, about 6-8 weeks after initial blooms fade.
Should catmint be cut back for winter?
Prune catmint after the first round of blooming to get a second flush before winter. After the first frost, cut plants down 3-4 inches above ground. This protects it from winter damage and encourages new spring growth.
When should you prune catmint plants?
For bushier growth, prune catmint in early spring before new growth emerges. This stimulates branching from the base. To prevent leggy plants, prune regularly through the growing season to remove long stems.
How do you trim back catmint?
If preparing for winter, lightly cut back dead stems, leaving 4-6 inches of growth. This insulates the plant from harsh winter and frost damage. Follow the same procedure for spring cleanup.
Conclusion
Well-timed pruning is key to keeping catmint healthy and producing abundant flowers. Follow these tips to determine when to cut back catmint for maximum performance. Properly prune catmint in spring and midsummer, provide attentive aftercare, and avoid fall pruning. Your catmint will reward you with seasons of beauty when pruned at just the right times.
