Looking at your garden this fall, it’s easy to wonder if your plants are getting the care they need. Pruning can feel intimidating—one wrong cut, and you could set your garden back. But timing is everything, and fall is your chance to give certain plants the boost they need to thrive come spring.
In this guide, we'll discuss 17 plants you should prune this fall to keep your garden healthy and vibrant, with tips that take the guesswork out of seasonal care.
1. Hostas
Hostas are popular shade plants that thrive in cooler temperatures, but they can become unsightly after the first frost. Late fall is the best time to prune Hostas. Cut back the foliage to ground level after it has turned yellow and begun to die back.
Pruning helps to prevent slugs, snails, and other pests from overwintering in the decaying leaves. It also encourages new growth in the spring and reduces the chance of diseases. Be sure to clear away any dead foliage to maintain a clean garden bed.
2. Daylilies
Daylilies can be pruned in the fall once they have finished blooming. Remove dead and yellowing leaves to maintain a tidy appearance and prevent diseases from setting in. Simply cut the foliage down to a few inches above ground level.
While daylilies are relatively hardy, fall pruning ensures that the plant focuses its energy on root development, making it more resilient through winter. It also reduces the risk of pests harboring in the decaying plant matter.
3. Peonies
Peonies should be pruned in early or late fall after the foliage has been killed by frost. Cut back peonies to about 2–3 inches above the ground to help prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew from overwintering.
By removing dead plant material, you'll give your peonies a clean slate for fresh growth in the spring. Be sure to dispose of the cut foliage rather than composting it, as this can help to stop the spread of any disease spores that may be present on the leaves.
4. Shasta Daisies
Shasta daisies benefit from fall pruning to prepare them for winter. Once the blooms have faded and the leaves begin to die back, cut the stems down to about 2–3 inches above ground level. This helps keep the garden looking neat and encourages healthier growth next season.
Removing dead stems also decreases the likelihood of fungal issues. Mulching around the base can further protect the plant during the colder months, helping it to bounce back in spring.
5. Lavender
Lavender requires careful pruning to maintain its shape and encourage future blooms. After the last flush of flowers, prune lavender in the fall by cutting back around one-third of the plant, focusing on the soft, green growth, and avoiding cutting into the woody stems.
Proper pruning keeps the plant from becoming too leggy and promotes a more compact, bushy shape. This helps lavender survive the winter and return strong and healthy the next growing season.
6. Mint
Mint is a fast-growing herb that can quickly dominate your garden if not managed carefully. After the growing season ends in the fall, cut the plant down to just above ground level. It will rejuvenate the plant for the next year and ensure healthy growth.
By cutting the mint back, you also reduce the risk of fungal infections that can develop from overgrown, dense foliage. Additionally, pruning prevents it from spreading uncontrollably through underground runners, which can overtake other areas of your garden if left unchecked.
8. Shrub Roses
Shrub roses benefit from light pruning in the fall, primarily to remove any diseased, dead, or damaged wood. While heavy pruning is best left for the spring, cut back about one-third of the plant in the fall to reduce the risk of disease and prepare the plant for winter.
This light pruning not only promotes a healthier plant but also allows it to maintain a tidier shape through the colder months. Remove any crossing or rubbing branches to improve air circulation, prevent further damage, and encourage better growth when the next season arrives.
9. Clematis
Clematis plants should be pruned in the fall, but the exact method depends on the type of clematis you have. For late-blooming varieties, prune back hard to about 12 inches above ground level after the plant has gone dormant.
This technique encourages healthy growth and abundant blooms the following year. For early-blooming varieties, however, prune them more lightly, as they flower on old wood. Pruning clematis ensures stronger, healthier vines and helps reduce tangling.
10. Wisteria
Wisteria requires pruning in both summer and late fall to keep its vigorous growth in check. In the fall, trim back long, wayward shoots to promote better shape and structure. This encourages flowering spurs for the next season.
Wisteria is known for its tendency to overgrow, so regular pruning is essential to prevent it from overtaking other plants or structures in your garden. Fall pruning also helps to maintain the plant's size and shape, preparing it for its beautiful spring blooms.
11. Hydrangeas
Hydrangea pruning depends on the variety, but generally, it's safe to prune back dead wood and spent flowers in the fall. Be cautious with older varieties that bloom on old wood, as heavy pruning may reduce next year's blooms.
For newer types that bloom on new wood, you can cut them back more aggressively. Fall pruning helps shape the plant and clears away dead material, which can harbor pests and diseases, promoting healthier growth come spring.
12. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
You can prune butterfly bushes in the fall to control their size and encourage more blooms next year. Cut back spent flowers and trim the plant to a manageable size, leaving about 6–12 inches of the plant above ground.
Fall pruning encourages stronger, more compact growth in the spring. Butterfly bushes grow rapidly, so it helps maintain their shape and prevents them from overtaking other plants while improving airflow and reducing the risk of disease.
13. Lilac
Lilacs can benefit from light pruning in the fall, specifically to remove dead or damaged branches. While heavy pruning should be done right after blooming in the spring, a light trim in the fall helps maintain the shrub's shape and prepares it for the next growing season.
Start cutting away diseased or crossing branches, so you can improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. However, it’s important not to cut too much, as lilacs bloom on old wood. Careful fall pruning ensures the shrub remains healthy without sacrificing its blooms for the following year.
14. Raspberry Canes
Fall is the perfect time to prune raspberry canes, especially for summer-bearing varieties. Remove all the canes that have already borne fruit, as these will not be produced again. Also, thin out any weak or spindly growth to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk.
Fall pruning helps redirect the plant's energy to the healthy canes, leading to a more productive crop next season. Proper pruning also keeps the patch from becoming overcrowded.
15. Blackberry Bushes
Blackberry bushes need fall pruning to stay healthy and productive. After harvesting, cut back the canes that bore fruit to ground level, as they will not produce again. Thin out the new growth, leaving only the strongest canes for next year.
This helps improve air circulation, reduces the risk of disease, and allows the plant to focus its energy on fruiting canes. Fall pruning ensures a healthier, more productive blackberry harvest in the coming season.
16. Apple and Pear Trees
Remove dead or damaged branches from apple and pear trees. This type of light pruning allows the tree to focus its energy on healthier branches without stimulating unwanted growth during the winter, which heavy pruning can cause.
In addition to conserving energy, fall pruning is also an excellent opportunity to shape the tree for the upcoming growing season. Proper pruning enhances air circulation and supports better fruit production, ensuring that your apple or pear trees remain healthy and productive year after year.
17. Ornamental Grasses
You can prune ornamental grasses in late fall after they have gone dormant. Cut back the foliage to just a few inches above the ground. This promotes healthy regrowth in the spring and ensures that fresh shoots are not hindered by dead material.
Some gardeners leave the grasses standing through winter for visual interest. Pruning them back in fall, however, prevents pests from overwintering in the dense clumps of grass, reducing the risk of infestations when warmer weather returns.
Don't Overdo It: A Little Snip Goes a Long Way
As you wrap up your fall pruning, remember—less is more. Over-pruning can weaken your plants as they prepare for winter dormancy, making them more vulnerable to stress and disease. A few thoughtful trims now will keep them healthy and strong, ensuring they’re ready to flourish in their season.
So, as your garden settles in for the colder months, step back, enjoy the moment, and trust that your careful fall pruning will lead to a vibrant, thriving landscape when spring arrives.
And don't forget to sharpen your shears before pruning! Here's a quick guide on that: Sharpening Garden Shears: 11 Pro Tips