How to prune Rosmarinus officinalis

Prune rosemary after flowering in early summer by clipping soft leafy tips. Do not cut routine maintenance into old woody stems.

Plant coveredRosmarinus officinalisRosemary · outdoor garden

Identify the plant part and the reason for removing it

Choose what to remove

Routine maintenance targets flowering tips and the soft leafy ends of branches. Old, woody stems are not the normal cut target.

Clipping keeps rosemary compact and bushy, prevents a bare, straggly base, and keeps the herb usable in a garden or container.

Decide whether to prune now or wait

Prune at the right time

RHS recommends cutting rosemary back after flowering in early summer. Mid-spring is the alternative timing for renovation.

Cut only the selected part

Make one clean cut

Use light clipping or tip pinching for shape. For a renovation cut, RHS describes reducing all stems by half in mid-spring.

Stop when the pruning goal is met

When pruning will not help

Watch the cut and new growth before pruning again

Care for the plant after pruning

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