Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Common toadflax: when and how to prune
Linaria vulgaris
Common toadflax is best pruned in March and October.
| Pruning months | March and October |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–October |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Common toadflax: when to prune it?
Leave the stems standing over winter and cut them in March; mow a wildflower meadow in October.
Common toadflax: how to prune it?
- After flowering, leave the stems with their seed capsules: they look good in winter and shelter insects.
- In March, cut the dead stems back to just above the ground, before the new shoots appear.
- Mow a wildflower meadow late, in October, and remove the cuttings.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and October. You don’t have to prune in every one.
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: Common toadflax · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.