Photo: Rasbak at Dutch Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Smooth sow-thistle: when and how to prune
Sonchus oleraceus
Smooth sow-thistle is best pruned in July–September.
| Pruning months | July–September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–October |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Smooth sow-thistle: when to prune it?
No real pruning: it is an annual. From July to September, pull or cut plants before the fluff ripens if you do not want seedlings.
What else to prune in those months? July · August · September
Smooth sow-thistle: how to prune it?
- Pull faded plants out roots and all, preferably before the seed clocks open.
- Let a few plants ripen for the birds.
- Plants without ripe seed can go on the compost heap; plants with fluff had better not.
- In autumn, leave a few dead stems standing in a wild corner.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July–September.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Smooth sow-thistle · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.