How to Cut Back Fuchsia Plants

Prune fuchsia plants every year.

More than 100 species of fuchsia plants exist, all with colorful blooms that typically last from spring until fall. They are warm-weather plants that grow as perennials in tropical gardens, but in the United States, fuchsias are often grown as container plants. In order to grow and thrive the following year, container fuchsias must be cut back--or pruned--in the fall and stored in a cool location during the winter. Both erect and trailing fuchsias are pruned in a similar manner.

Things You'll Need

• Hand clippers

Instructions

1. Prune a container fuchsia just before the first frost of the fall. It can tolerate one or two light frosts if necessary. Garden fuchsias are pruned in the spring when new growth appears and the last frost has passed. This spring-pruning works best for outdoor fuchsias because it helps to prevent disease and also leaves some cover to protect the plants during the cold season. Mulch should also be applied in the fall to help protect the fuchsia's root system.

2. Cut back trailing fuchsias grown in containers to the rim of the pot. For trailing fuchsias grown in the garden as ground covers, cut back so the stems are about 6 to 8 inches long. For erect fuchsias (both in gardens and pots), cut just above the first one or two sets of nodes above the soil line.

3. Use sharp hand clippers and make sharp clean cuts. You do not need to seal the wounds.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring potted fuchsias indoors in the fall after pruning. Keep them in a dark cool area like a basement or garage that is around 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Water it every two to three weeks so the soil does not completely dry out. Alternatively, after cutting a fuchsia plant back, bury it 2 to 4 inches deep outdoors until the spring.

References

• Clemson University: Fuchsia
• Washington State University: Garden Flowers
• Solent Fuchsia Club: Hardy Fuchsia