Many perennials and shrubs grow better and remain healthier if they are pruned regularly. What about St. John's wort? Does this plant need a pruning and under what conditions does a cut make sense?

John's wort is harvested when it blooms

Reasons that can speak for a cut

You decide what is necessary! There are various reasons why it can make sense to cut St. John's wort or a St. John's wort bush. Here is a list of some of them:

  • remove wilted flowers
  • prepare for the winter
  • stimulate sprouting
  • gain cuttings
  • to harvest
  • received cut flowers
  • Remove frozen back
  • Keep growth in check (cut off offshoots)

A vigorous pruning - make in the spring

In principle, it is advisable to cut back the St. John's wort vigorously every spring. The shoots from the previous year look unsightly and dried up in spring. In order to create space for the new shoots and to promote budding, the old shoots are removed. Pruning is also advisable for evergreen and woody species, at least when some parts are frozen.

The ideal period for this pruning is between March and April. Of course, you can also cut the St. John's wort in late autumn. But then a winter protection is appropriate to protect the roots from moisture.

How is the cut done?

You should note that:

  • Cut back wilted leaves and stems
  • like to cut down to 5 to 10 cm
  • ground-covering species such as the cushion St. John's wort can also be cut with the lawnmower
  • be careful not to remove new shoots
  • use clean, sharp secateurs

Cut off old flowers or leave them attached for seed collection

St. John's wort can also be cut in midsummer immediately after the flowering period. This cut serves to remove the withered flowers. As a result, no fruits and seeds can develop. This saves the St. John's wort strength.

However, if you want to get seeds, you need to leave the buds, or at least a few of them, on the plant. The seeds are ripe in autumn and can be sown either immediately or in spring.

Cut the herb to harvest

If you want to cut the St. John's wort to harvest the plant parts, you should ideally do this during the flowering period. Cut off either just the flowers or the entire herb. The plant parts can then be used fresh, for example for tea, or dried.

St. John's wort as a cut flower

A well cared for St. John's wort with strong flower stalks is also well suited as a cut flower. The best way to do this is to cut the stems to 10 cm above the ground. The berries can also be cut off in autumn to decorate flower arrangements.

tips

Even if the St. John's wort is affected by diseases such as rust or St. John's wort wilt, it should be trimmed. All diseased parts are removed in the process.

Category: