Pruning guide
How to prune cleft phlox
More cleft phlox care
- How to prune sand phlox — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full cleft phlox care guide
- Common cleft phlox problems & fixes
- How to propagate cleft phlox
- When to repot cleft phlox
Pruning cleft phlox — FAQ
When should I prune cleft phlox?
Immediately after flowering in mid- to late spring. Use garden shears to cut the entire mat back by roughly one-quarter its height after blooms fade. This prevents the centre from becoming woody and bare. Remove visibly dead sections at any time.
How often does cleft phlox need pruning?
Once annually, right after flowering. Cleft Phlox is a low, spreading native rock-garden plant that needs minimal pruning. After flowering in spring, shear the foliage mat lightly — by about one-quarter — to keep it compact and encourage fresh growth. Remove any dead or brown patches. No significant autumn pruning is required.
How do you prune cleft phlox?
Use garden shears to cut the entire mat back by roughly one-quarter its height after blooms fade. This prevents the centre from becoming woody and bare. Remove visibly dead sections at any time.