Photo: Michael Becker, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herb
Horse mint: when and how to prune
Mentha longifolia
Horse mint is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Horse mint: when to prune it?
In March, before the new shoots start to grow.
What else to prune in those months? March
Horse mint: how to prune it?
- Cut the old, brown stems of last year back to just above the ground.
- In summer pick young tips for the kitchen; this keeps the plant compact.
- Cut off spent flower spikes if you want to limit seed and self-seeding.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Horse mint flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Leave the stems standing in winter: insects overwinter in them.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Horse mint · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.