Due to its strong and rapid growth, leadwort quickly becomes a bush bursting with vitality. But soon it gets out of shape, blooms only sparsely and is bald - at least if it hasn't been cut regularly.
When and how should you cut the leadwort?
You should cut back the leadwort in autumn and spring before overwintering. Shorten the shoots by half in autumn and remove old, weak and diseased shoots in spring. Thin out in summer if necessary to promote compact growth and encourage a second flowering.
Prune before overwintering
Before you move your leadwort, which is considered poisonous, to overwinter, you should cut it back. This is the case in autumn. Take a pair of sharp secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon) and cut the shoots back by half.
Thanks to this cut, wintering works better afterwards:
- Growth is prevented
- less space is required in the wintering quarters
- better overview of possible pest infestation
- less watering necessary
- less falling leaves (when overwintering in the dark)
Cut back heavily in spring
In addition to or as an alternative to autumn pruning, pruning should be carried out in spring. This is recommended because leadwort only blooms on its new shoots. The shoots are shortened between February and March. Weak, old and diseased shoots are rigorously removed. Approximately 1 month later, the new shoots should be trimmed to promote branching and thus the number of flowers.
Gaining cuttings – another reason to cut
Pruning can also be useful in order to obtain leadwort cuttings for propagation. Such a cut should be done in May or June. The cuttings should be 10 to 15 cm long. The flowers and the lower leaves are removed and the shoot is placed in potting soil for rooting.
Thinning out in summer if necessary
Pruning is not only appropriate before and after overwintering. Finally, a cut can be made in summer to shape the leadwort. Overall, this plant tolerates cutting without any problems and happily sprouts again. It is thinned out in summer. As a result, it grows more compact and becomes less loose in growth.
Tip
If you want to stimulate a second flowering, you should quickly cut away the old inflorescences or seed heads and also wilted leaves. This cut stimulates the plant to produce new flowers.
