Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Thorn-apple: when and how to prune
Datura stramonium
Thorn-apple is best pruned in August–October.
| Pruning months | August–October |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–October |
| Native to Belgium | No, naturalised |
Thorn-apple: when to prune it?
No pruning. In August–September cut off the fruits before they split open, and pull the plant up in October, after the first frost.
What else to prune in those months? August · September · October
Thorn-apple: how to prune it?
- Wearing gloves, cut off the green, spiny fruits as soon as the flowers have faded.
- Put them in a bag and throw them in the general waste.
- After the first night frost, pull up the whole plant with its root.
- Never put plant waste carrying seed on the compost heap.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: August–October.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Don’t cut more than you need to: what stays standing gives insects and birds food and shelter.
Caution: Always wear gloves and do not touch your eyes or mouth afterwards: the sap is poisonous and can dilate the pupil for hours if it gets into the eye.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Thorn-apple · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.