How to Prune Herb Plants

Herbs plants are grown by many people around the world, and not just by professionals. Many individuals will grow herbs in their kitchen, yard or garden to use in their cooking. Fresh herbs can add a very distinctive flavor to any dish you create. While herbs are not in need of much pruning, occasionally it is necessary. Follow the steps listed to learn how to prune herb plants.

Things You'll Need

• Herb plants
• Scissors
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Determine which kind of herbs you are growing. Herbaceous herbs such as oregano, tarragon and chives will die back every winter. Evergreen herbs like thyme and sage will stay green and productive throughout the year and annual herbs like basil, dill and cilantro will only last one growing season. Each of the three different kinds of herbs will require different pruning measures to keep them fresh and strong.

2. Cut herbaceous herbs all the way down to the ground at least once a year. This can be after the growing season is over, or when you harvest them. You may also want to consider doing this a few times a year instead of just once, to help promote new growth. No special tool is needed, just use pruning sheers or scissors and cut the herb plant close tot he ground.

3. Prune evergreen herbs at least once a year, but not down to the ground. Evergreen herbs will produce all year long, so you only need to prune the dead, woody or nonproductive branches of the herb plant. Use pruning sheers or scissors to cut off any such branches that you may find, and cut only those branches back to the base of the plant. Doing this several times a year either through harvesting of the herb or simple maintenance will stimulate new growth and provide a longer life for your herb plant.

4. Cutting or pruning an annual herb plant is unnecessary, as they will die after one year's worth of growing on their own. You can cut them down tot he ground or pull them up at the end of the growing season to remove them from the garden or leave them to wither into fertilizer for surrounding plants. Regardless, if you want new annual herbs in your garden the next year, you will have to plant another herb bush.

5. Check your herb plants throughout the year for dead, damaged or unproductive branches and prune them as needed. No matter what type of herb plant you have, removing useless branches throughout the year will make the rest of the herb plant grow stronger and produce more.

Tips & Warnings

• Prune or harvest herbs often to ensure that they continue to grow strong and live a longer life.

• Use caution when operating sheers or scissors, and be careful not to cut yourself while pruning.

Resources

• Herb Guide
• Herb Gardening