Pruning guide
How to prune mint
More mint care
Pruning mint — FAQ
When should I prune mint?
Harvest/trim regularly from late spring through summer. Hard cutback in autumn (October).. Snip stems just above a pair of leaves, removing up to two-thirds of the stem length. Remove flower buds as soon as they appear by pinching or snipping the tip. For the autumn cutback, shear the entire plant to 3–5 cm above soil level using scissors or shears.
How often does mint need pruning?
Every 2–4 weeks during the growing season; once annually in autumn. Mint benefits from frequent harvesting and cutting back to stay bushy and prevent flowering. Once it flowers, leaf quality and flavour decline. Cut stems back by half to two-thirds regularly through the growing season. In autumn, cut the whole plant to a few centimetres above the soil — it will regrow strongly from roots in spring.
How do you prune mint?
Snip stems just above a pair of leaves, removing up to two-thirds of the stem length. Remove flower buds as soon as they appear by pinching or snipping the tip. For the autumn cutback, shear the entire plant to 3–5 cm above soil level using scissors or shears.