Sedums can either be cut back in winter or spring – discover the benefits of both methods along with the best time to prune
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If you have sedums growing in your borders, they will need to be cut down annually after the end of their growing season. Many gardeners will choose to do this task ahead of winter, while there are others who see virtue in holding off on chopping back until spring.
Sedum is a very broad genus that includes the full range of perennial, biennial, and annual plants. Some can be very low-growing ground cover plants, while others are taller border sedums – which are now classified as Hylotelephium, but still commonly referred to as sedum by many gardeners. All types of sedum are much-loved for being drought tolerant and simple to maintain.
When considering when to cut back sedum for winter, we are looking specifically at the upright and taller sedums that are popular features in flower beds and borders. We take a look at why, when, and how you should complete this simple, but important, gardening task.
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, are popular succulent plants that add year-round interest to gardens. With their colorful star-shaped flowers and fleshy foliage, sedums are low-maintenance plants that require very little care. However, to keep sedums looking their best, knowing when to cut them back is important.
Why Cut Back Sedum
Cutting back sedum serves several purposes
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It encourages new growth, leading to a bushier and healthier plant. Pruning stimulates the development of new shoots.
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It eliminates legginess and floppiness. Sedums can get tall and top-heavy, making them prone to splitting or toppling over. Cutting back promotes a more compact growth habit.
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It removes dead leaves and stems which can harbor pests and diseases. Pruning is like giving the plant a good haircut, taking off tired old foliage.
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It can delay flowering, which is useful if you want the sedum to bloom later into the autumn.
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It shapes the plant keeping it tidy and maintained to your desired size and form.
When to Prune Sedum
Timing is important when cutting back sedum. Here are the optimal times to prune for best results:
Spring
- In early spring after the threat of hard frost has passed, cut back sedum to about 1-2 inches above ground level. This prunes away any dead stems that may have accumulated over winter and stimulates fresh new growth as warmer weather arrives.
Early Summer
- In early summer, about late May to mid June, you can cut back sedum by about half its height if it is getting overly large and floppy. This mid-season pruning controls size. But be sure to prune in early summer so you don’t remove any developing flower buds.
Fall
- Lightly trim off old flower heads and any yellowing foliage in early fall. Fall is mainly for tidying up the plant prior to winter.
When Not to Prune
To avoid harming the plant, avoid pruning sedum at the following times:
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Mid to late summer – Pruning off developing flower buds means no autumn blooms.
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Winter – Sedum goes dormant in winter and pruning stresses the plant. However, cutting back any dead stems in late winter is fine.
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Extreme heat – Pruning in hot, dry weather stresses the plant.
How to Cut Back Sedum
Follow these simple steps for cutting back sedum properly:
Tools
- Use clean, sharp bypass hand pruners. Long handled loppers also work for larger sedum varieties. Avoid scissor-like anvil pruners that crush stems.
Pruning
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Cut back the sedum stalks to the desired height, generally to the base of the plant or halfway down.
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Remove all old flower heads by clipping the entire flower spike back to where it meets the main stem.
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Take out any dead or damaged growth as needed.
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Rake up and dispose of pruned stems.
Cleaning
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Clean and disinfect pruning tools before and after each use.
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Use a mix of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to prevent spreading diseases between plants.
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Wipe away milky sap that oozes from cut sedum stems to keep blades from gumming up.
Tips for Cutting Back Sedum
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For fuller growth, cut back all shoots rather than selectively pruning.
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You can take cuttings from healthy sedum stems to propagate new plants.
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Leave some flowers stands over winter for visual interest and bird food source.
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Water after pruning to help the plant recover from the shock of being cut back.
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Add compost or slow release fertilizer in spring to fuel new growth.
When to Cut Back Popular Sedum Varieties
Autumn Joy (Hylotelephium Herbstfreude)
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In spring, cut back to 1-2 inches above soil.
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For bushier plant, prune by half in early summer.
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Deadhead spent flowers in fall.
Dragon’s Blood (Sedum spurium Dragon’s Blood)
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Cut back trailing stems anytime to contain spread.
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Prune by half in early summer if too large.
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Shear back spent blooms in late summer.
Gold Moss (Sedum acre)
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Prune lightly in spring to shape.
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Shear back overly long, sprawling stems.
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Deadhead old flowers.
FAQ About Cutting Back Sedum
Does sedum need to be cut back for winter?
Sedum generally does not require cutting back for winter, with the exception of removing dead stems. Cutting back in late winter just before new growth begins is fine but not required.
Should I cut back sedum before or after flowering?
For the most flowers, cut back sedum in early summer before buds form. Pruning in mid to late summer will reduce autumn blooms. Deadheading after flowering helps keep the plant neat.
What happens if sedum is not cut back?
If not pruned back occasionally, sedum will become overgrown and leggy. Flopped over, split stems and fewer flowers may result from not cutting back sedum periodically.
Can I cut sedum back to the ground?
Yes, shearing sedum all the way back to the ground in early spring or late winter is an ideal way to rejuvenate overgrown plants. Cutting sedum back to the base stimulates the emergence of fresh new growth.
Enjoy the Low-Maintenance Charm of Sedum
Knowing when to cut back sedum by season helps keep this easy care perennial looking fabulous with minimal effort. Follow these sedum pruning tips and you will reap the benefits of a more compact, vigorous plant that puts on a beautiful floral display. With proper cut back, sedum will flourish and enhance your garden for years to come.
Do you cut back sedum for winter?
There are several merits to heading out with the garden tools and cutting back border varieties of sedum ahead of winter. It can improve the aesthetics of the plant, making sure it looks neat and tidy for winter, and also help to prevent disease.
Pruning sedums also helps the plant focus its energy on developing roots, which can then promote healthier growth come spring.
Sedum blooms are hugely popular with bees and butterflies( credit: Future)
When to cut back sedum for winter
The ideal time to cut back sedum for winter will be dependent on your climate. Add the task to your fall gardening checklist and wait until after the first frost to head out and trim back the plants. This will usually be in late fall or early winter.
The first hard frost will kill any remaining blossoms and the sedum will be entering winter dormancy at this point. It is best to wait until that first frost. If you cut back too early in fall, before the plant has entered dormancy, then it could trigger new growth that will be damaged by frosts and it could potentially affect the overall hardiness of the plant.
Wait until after the first frost to cut back sedums for winter( credit: Getty s/Oksana_Schmidt)