Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Self-heal: when and how to prune
Prunella vulgaris
Self-heal is best pruned in March and September.
| Pruning months | March and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Self-heal: when to prune it?
It hardly needs pruning. In September, cut off faded spikes in a border if you do not want seedlings, and in March, clear away dead stems.
Self-heal: how to prune it?
- Cut faded spikes just above a pair of leaves; in summer this often brings new spikes.
- Leave a few spikes if you want it to self-seed.
- In March, clear away the withered stems; the leaf rosettes stay.
- In a lawn, normal mowing is enough.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Self-heal flowers in June–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.