How to prune mugwort

Late winter to early spring for cutback; remove flowers before seed set in late summer (August). Cut all stems to ground level in late winter using loppers or shears. Throughout summer, cut or snap off flower stems before seed matures — do not compost them. For containment, install a buried root barrier at least 45 cm deep around established clumps.

Once to ground level in late winter; flower removal throughout summer as needed. Mugwort is an aggressive, rhizomatous perennial that spreads rapidly and requires firm management. Cut it down to the ground in late winter or early spring before it re-sprouts. Crucially, remove all flower heads before seeds ripen in late summer to prevent it spreading further. In the garden, contain it physically with a root barrier or grow in pots to prevent it colonising neighbouring plants.

Cut all stems to ground level in late winter using loppers or shears. Throughout summer, cut or snap off flower stems before seed matures — do not compost them. For containment, install a buried root barrier at least 45 cm deep around established clumps.