Basically, pruning lupins is not necessary. You can only use scissors if you are disturbed by the flowered plant in autumn. In addition, you should always remove faded inflorescences immediately.

When do you need to cut back lupins?

There are four care measures where cutting the lupines in the garden or in the pot on the terrace can make sense:

  • Withered clipping
  • Cut back in autumn
  • Cutting cuttings
  • Removing diseased leaves

Cut off faded inflorescences

You should not do without this measure. By cutting off the faded parts, you encourage the perennial to form new flowers.

You also prevent seeds from ripening in the pods. It is distributed throughout the garden so that you can no longer save yourself from lupins.

Seeds of ornamental lupins are poisonous. This is one of the reasons why it should not be created in the first place, so as not to endanger children and pets.

Cut back in autumn

It is often recommended to cut back the lupine tree completely in autumn. Of course you can do that, but it is superfluous. The plant will sprout well again next year, even without pruning.

Most of the plant will feed itself. The rest serves as a natural protection that protects the soil from leaching in winter.

The plant stalks that remain over the winter lie down on the ground and rot there over the course of a few months. On the one hand they prevent weeds from emerging, on the other hand the rotting process releases nutrients that improve the soil.

Take cuttings in spring

To propagate lupins, take new cuttings from the center of the plant in spring. Put them in potting soil and get new lupins for your garden.

Cut diseased leaves

If the plant is affected by powdery mildew, you should cut off the affected leaves generously. Then the spores that cause powdery mildew cannot spread further on the plant.

tips and tricks

If you want to remove old lupine plants, only cut off the top parts of the plant and leave the roots in the ground. It rots there, loosening the soil in the process. It also releases nutrients and thus serves as a natural fertilizer.

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