Pruning guide
How to prune borage
More borage care
Pruning borage — FAQ
When should I prune borage?
Pinch tips in early growth (when 20–25 cm tall); deadhead as desired through summer. Pinch or snip the growing tip above a leaf node while the plant is young to encourage branching; snip spent flowers with scissors if tidiness is a priority.
How often does borage need pruning?
Pinch once early; deadhead weekly if desired — plants are replaced each season from self-sown seed or fresh sowing. Borage is a fast-growing annual that needs little pruning. Pinch back leggy stems in early growth to encourage branching. Deadheading is optional — spent flowers can be removed to keep the plant tidy, but borage self-seeds freely and many gardeners allow this. Do not cut back hard; old borage stems are hollow and do not regenerate well.
How do you prune borage?
Pinch or snip the growing tip above a leaf node while the plant is young to encourage branching; snip spent flowers with scissors if tidiness is a priority.