In principle, cutting back lupins is not necessary. You can only use scissors if the plant has finished blooming in the fall. You should also always remove dead inflorescences straight away.
When and how should you cut lupins?
Pruning lupins is generally not necessary, but it can be useful to remove spent inflorescences, cut back the perennial in autumn, cut cuttings in spring or remove diseased leaves. Removing spent parts promotes new flower formation and prevents seed formation.
When do you have to prune lupins?
There are four care measures for which cutting lupins in the garden or in pots on the terrace can be useful:
- Withered cutting
- Pruning in autumn
- Taking cuttings
- Removing diseased leaves
Cut off spent inflorescences
You should not forego this measure. By cutting off the spent parts, you encourage the perennial to form new flowers.
You also prevent seeds from ripening in the pods. It spreads throughout the garden, so you can no longer escape the lupins.
Seeds of ornamental lupins are poisonous. This is also why it shouldn't be created in the first place, so as not to endanger children and pets.
Pruning in autumn
It is often recommended to cut the lupine tree back completely in autumn. Of course you can do that, but it's unnecessary. The plant will grow well again next year even without pruning.
Most of the plant grows on its own. The rest serves as natural protection that protects the soil from leaching in winter.
The plant stems that remain over the winter lie on the ground and rot there over the course of a few months. On the one hand, they prevent weeds from emerging, and on the other hand, through the rotting process they release nutrients that improve the soil.
Cut cuttings in spring
To propagate lupins, cut new cuttings from the center of the plant in spring. Put them in potting soil (€6.00 at Amazon) and get new lupins for your garden.
Cutting diseased leaves
If the plant is affected by powdery mildew, you should cut off the affected leaves generously. Then the spores that cause mildew cannot spread any further on the plant.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to remove old lupine plants, only cut off the upper parts of the plant and leave the roots in the ground. It rots there and loosens the soil in the process. It also releases nutrients and serves as a natural fertilizer.
