7 Herbs You Should Never Cut Back in Fall, According to Experts

thyme, sage, oregano and rosemary in the herb garden — Credit:
Martina Unbehauen / Getty Images

As the days get shorter and the calendar marches closer to winter, garden clean-up is in full swing. But before you start cutting back all your herbs, pause for a moment to consider whether or not fall is the best time to prune those plants. Some herbs shouldn't be cut back in the fall, as you risk weakening the plant's resistance to cold weather. Additionally, pruning in the fall can take away the seed heads that birds rely on for nutrients during winter. To help you put your garden to bed for the season the right way, we spoke to experts who shared the herbs you should never prune in the fall.

Susan Betz, master gardener and the author of Herbal Houseplants
Debra Knapke, horticulturist and author of The Garden Sage

01 of 07

Oregano

Famous for its ability to liven up pizza and pasta dishes, oregano (Origanum) reaches peak flavor right before the onset of blooms, usually around the middle of summer. Pruning or pinching the blossoms during the summer can help keep the oregano leaves in full flavor and encourage growth. But the plant itself should ideally be pruned well before winter. "If you garden in a region with cold winters, do not wait too long for your final pruning of woody-stemmed herbs, such as oregano," says master gardener Susan Betz.

Zones: 4 to 10
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

02 of 07

Sage

Prune sage (Salvia officinalis) in late summer, at least four to six weeks before a hard freeze, which gives the plants time to harden off before winter, according to Betz. Waiting too long to prune sage weakens its resistance to the cold, she adds.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

03 of 07

Lavender

The inviting fragrance of lavender (Lavandula) can be maintained year after year if you prune at the right time. "Many of the culinary herbs we love—dianthus, sage, lavender, rosemary, and thyme—are considered to be subshrubs and hard pruning in the fall is a signal for these plants to start new growth," explains horticulturist Debra Knapke. "In colder areas, this new growth would be killed by frosts and winter temperatures. This means the plant has wasted stored energy." If pruning is needed to control the shape and size of the plant, spring is a safer option.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 12 to 30 inches tall x 24 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

04 of 07

Russian Sage

Beloved for its graceful beauty and delicate flowers, Russian sage (Salvia yangii) makes a stunning addition to any garden. It's best to avoid pruning it in the fall, however. Not only could fall pruning stimulate growth going into winter, but leaving the branches protects the plant from cold weather. Prune in early spring for optimal results.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 48 inches tall x 48 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

05 of 07

Coneflower

While more of a medicinal herb than a culinary one, the gorgeous blooms of coneflower (Echinacea) are show-stoppers in the garden, but you may want to avoid cutting them back in the fall. Winter birds rely on available food sources during the lean months of winter, and those dried coneflower blooms in your garden will keep neighborhood birds satiated even after the snow flies. Cut back in spring instead.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 24 to 48 inches tall x 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

06 of 07

Rosemary

Besides its culinary uses as an herb, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) adds a delightful aesthetic detail to your garden with its charming, spruce-like needles. If you're growing rosemary as a shrub, prune it in late spring to help it maintain its shape and promote bushier growth. That said, Knapke notes that fall pruning is safe as long as you are only cutting dead flowers and harvesting small amounts for culinary purposes.

Zones: 7 to 8
Size: 36 inches tall x 36 to 48 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil

07 of 07

Thyme

Pruning thyme (Thymus) in the fall can stimulate new growth, which cold winter weather would kill off. Your best bet is to wait for spring, once the threat of frost has passed, and then give this plant a trim.