When to cut back Russian sage – how to decide whether to prune in fall or spring

Russian sage is a great perennial plant that is loved by bees and other insects. A fantastic drought tolerant shrub, Russian sage produces an abundance of branching purple stems come late summer and early fall. 

Reaching up to five feet in height, Russian sage benefits from being pruned annually to keep the plant compact, full of productive growth, and blooming at its best. 

There are two options for the best time to cut back Russian sage. The task can either be done in fall or spring. It may depend on your location, as well as your gardening goals, as to when you decide to complete the task.

When should I cut back Russian sage? 

Russian sage is a great option for any drought tolerant planting ideas or if you want to try xeriscaping as part of your backyard ideas. But you may wonder, when do you cut back Russian sage? It can be done in fall or spring, so we take a closer look at the advantages of both to help you decide when to prune your Russian sage.

Cutting back Russian sage in spring

Most gardeners will choose to prune their Russian sage in mid-to-late spring to maintain the shape and encourage a great flush of new flowers come late summer. If you want to cut back Russian sage in spring, then the best time to do it is when the new growth begins to appear. At this stage, you can cut old stems back to the lowest set of leaves.

Reese L. Robbins from Just Pure Gardening says that this spring pruning will encourage new growth, control the shape and size of the plant, and ensure you get lots of fantastic blooms each season. He says: ‘Spring pruning allows you to make precise cuts without harming the new tender shoots. It also gives the plant enough time to recover and prepare for a bountiful display of flowers later in the year.’

Another reason to not go out with the pruning shears until spring, rather than heading out to cut back Russian sage in fall, is that the stems can offer beauty in a winter garden. The dried stems of Russian sage, along with many other plants, can provide real visual interest if you are planning a winter garden.

Tina Ho, the founder of Good Plant Care, explains: ‘The stems and seed heads provide winter interest in the garden, adding texture and a delicate, frosted appearance after snowfalls. Waiting till spring also benefits local wildlife, as the seeds serve as a food source for birds during the colder months.’

As well as being beneficial as part of a wildlife garden, the uncut stems are also able to help to insulate the crown of the plant from the worst of the winter weather.

Tina Ho

Tina Ho is the co-founder & editor of GoodPlantCare.com. She got her first Philodendron in 2020 and quickly fell in love with the green foliage. Her house is now filled with more than 100 houseplants, mostly aroids (Philodendrons, Alocasia, Anthurium) and Sansevieria.

Cutting back Russian sage in fall

There are some gardeners who will choose to cut back Russian sage in the fall and there are several merits to doing this. 

People living in colder US hardiness zones may choose to prune before the worst of winter arrives as, by removing the stems, you can protect the plant from heavy snow and ice damage and also reduce the risk of breakages. Pruning the plant back to 6-12 inches in height can protect the otherwise exposed stems from being damaged by the worst of the winter weather.

Lots of gardeners will have tidying their flower beds and borders ahead of winter on their fall gardening checklist. Cutting back Russian sage in fall will boost the aesthetics of the plant and make it look neat and tidier. 

Jamie Rae from Green Garden Cottage advises that it is important to make sure the plant is dormant before pruning Russian sage. She warns: ‘If you prune before the plant is dormant, it may stimulate growth right before a hard frost sets in’.

Any fresh growth caused by making the mistake of pruning too early will be killed by the frosts and any heavy pruning done at this time could impact the overall hardiness of the plant. 

Reese L. Robbins

Reese L. Robbins is the founder of Just Pure Gardening, a site full of fruit and vegetable growing guides, garden ideas, and garden product reviews.

FAQs

Russian sage is a fantastic plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to its lavender-like purple blooms in summer and fall. It is a fuss-free plant that can work in a wide range of locations, providing it gets lots of sun and a soil type that is well-draining. See the full range of Russian sage plants available at Nature Hills.