10 Perennials I Always Make Sure to Cut Back Every Fall

Every fall, I find myself in the garden with a pair of pruners, giving my perennials the attention they need to thrive next year. Cutting back certain plants sets them up for success. I’ve learned the hard way that skipping this step can mean dealing with pests, diseases, or just plain messy plants come spring.

Trust me, a little effort now makes a huge difference later. Some plants practically beg for a fall haircut to stay healthy and look their best. If you’re not sure which ones to focus on, let me walk you through the perennials I always make a point to trim before winter sets in.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums bring plenty of color to the fall garden, but once the blooms are done or frost takes its toll, it’s time to cut them back. Snip the stems down to about six to eight inches above the soil. Leaving a little height helps catch leaves or mulch, which can insulate the plant and protect it from freeze-thaw damage during winter.

Begonia

Hardy begonias add a soft touch to shaded gardens, but once frost hits, their foliage collapses. Leaving that mess around can lead to crown rot, so grab your pruners and clear it away in the fall. Cutting back spent blooms during the growing season also helps encourage more flowers, so you get the most out of these beauties.

These shade-loving plants thrive in USDA zones 6 to 9, where rich, moist soil keeps them happy. A little fall cleanup goes a long way toward keeping your begonias healthy and ready for a fresh start next year.

Hollyhock Mallow

Hollyhock mallow loves to bloom its heart out all summer and into fall, but once the flowers are spent, it’s time for a trim. Cutting the plant back to its basal foliage helps keep it looking neat and healthy. Plus, deadheading throughout the season can keep those pink blooms coming longer.

If you’re growing this in USDA zones 4 to 7, it does well in full sun or part shade and medium-moisture, well-draining soil. A little effort now ensures it comes back strong and vibrant for another blooming season.

Ladybells

Ladybells are graceful and easy to grow, but they can take over if you’re not careful. After their early summer flowers fade, trim the stems back before seedheads form—especially since they’re considered invasive in some areas. The basal foliage stays fresh through winter, so leave that part alone.

For gardeners in USDA zones 3 to 9, these blue-flowered perennials do best in rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of sun or partial shade.

Blanket Flower

Blanket flowers are tough and love the sun, but they can start looking a little scraggly after a full season of blooming. Cutting back the spent stems in the fall gives them a boost for next year. They’ll come back looking fuller and healthier, ready to wow you all over again. Bonus: deadheading through the summer can keep the flowers blooming longer.

If you’re in USDA zones 3 to 10, these hardy plants thrive in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Catmint

Catmint is a forgiving plant that thrives on a little attention. While you can prune it throughout the season to tidy up its look, fall is the time for a proper cutback. The winter cold will do a number on the foliage anyway, so getting ahead of it saves you some spring cleanup.

This low-maintenance favorite loves full sun or partial shade and grows best in USDA zones 4 to 8. Pruning it now ensures fresh, vibrant growth next season—because who doesn’t want their garden looking its best from the get-go?

Daylilies

Daylilies are garden classics for a reason, but they can get a little unruly by the end of the season. After blooming, cut back the spent flower stalks to keep things neat. If you have reblooming varieties, this encourages even more flowers. In the fall, give the whole plant a good shear unless you’re in a warmer zone where they stay evergreen.

For gardeners in USDA zones 3 to 9, daylilies love well-draining soil and full sun. If time gets away from you, at least remove any diseased foliage to keep things healthy.

Iris

Iris plants are gorgeous, but they can get a little needy in the fall. If you’ve dealt with iris borers before, you know they can wreck the rhizomes if left unchecked. The fix? Trim those leaves back to about six or eight inches, shaping them into a neat peak. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the pests at bay and your plants happier.

A few minutes now saves you from battling bugs later, and come spring, they’ll reward you with beautiful, healthy blooms.

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a garden MVP, pulling in hummingbirds and butterflies all summer long. But once the season’s over, it’s time to cut it back—like, all the way to the ground. This keeps mildew and other plant problems from hanging around. If your bee balm already has mildew, bag up the cuttings and chuck them with yard waste. Composting those clippings? Not a good idea.

Peonies

Peonies are show-stoppers in spring, but by fall, they’re kind of a mess. After the first frost, grab some clippers and cut the stems down to a few inches above the soil. It might feel brutal, but trust me, this keeps mildew away and makes room for fresh growth in spring.