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Perennials · pruning calendar

When to prune hardy mums

Leave hardy mum stems standing through winter, then cut them back in spring once new growth appears. Pinch the tips until early July for a bushier plant.

Should I prune my hardy mums this month?

Your ZIP picks your climate row in the chart below. Use a USDA zone instead

Hardy mums pruning by month

Hardy mums: pruning by month and USDA zone band
ClimateJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Coldzones 3–5January: Don’t prune nowFebruary: Don’t prune nowMarch: Don’t prune nowApril: Don’t prune nowMay: Prune nowJune: Prune nowJuly: Don’t prune nowAugust: Don’t prune nowSeptember: Don’t prune nowOctober: Don’t prune nowNovember: Don’t prune nowDecember: Don’t prune now
Temperatezones 6–8January: Don’t prune nowFebruary: Don’t prune nowMarch: Don’t prune nowApril: Prune nowMay: Prune nowJune: Prune nowJuly: Don’t prune nowAugust: Don’t prune nowSeptember: Don’t prune nowOctober: Don’t prune nowNovember: Don’t prune nowDecember: Don’t prune now
Warmzones 9–11January: Don’t prune nowFebruary: Don’t prune nowMarch: Prune nowApril: Prune nowMay: Prune nowJune: Prune nowJuly: Don’t prune nowAugust: Don’t prune nowSeptember: Don’t prune nowOctober: Don’t prune nowNovember: Don’t prune nowDecember: Don’t prune now
  • Prune now
  • Wait
  • Don’t prune now
  • Don’t prune now Leave the old stems standing. Mums survive winter better with stems left in place under mulch.
  • Prune now New shoots are up. Cut last year’s dead stems to the ground, and start pinching when shoots reach 4–6 inches.
  • Prune now Pinch growing tips when shoots reach 4–6 inches. Stop by early July.
  • Don’t prune now Flower buds are forming. Cutting now removes this fall’s blooms.
  • Don’t prune now It’s blooming or about to go dormant. Leave the stems standing for winter.

How to cut: Pinch off the top inch of each shoot two or three times before July. In spring, cut old stems to the ground.

Sources

Months are grouped into broad USDA zone bands, so local weather, elevation and the plant itself still have the final say.

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