How to prune jack-in-the-pulpit

Autumn, after foliage yellows; spent spathe can be removed right after flowering. Cut yellowing stems at the base with clean pruners in autumn. To prevent self-seeding, snip the spent spathe and emerging berry stalk in summer before berries ripen. Do not cut back during active growth — the plant stores energy in its corm.

Annually, at autumn die-back. Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a woodland perennial that dies back to its corm each winter — pruning is essentially not needed. Once the foliage yellows in autumn, cut stems at ground level. Remove the spent spathe after flowering if you want to prevent self-seeding, or leave it to develop the ornamental red berry cluster.

Cut yellowing stems at the base with clean pruners in autumn. To prevent self-seeding, snip the spent spathe and emerging berry stalk in summer before berries ripen. Do not cut back during active growth — the plant stores energy in its corm.