When to prune fuchsias – the right time to cut it back

The purple and pink hues of fuchsias and the long summer flowering period make these plants a garden favourite. But knowing when to prune fuchsias is key if you want this hardy plant to look good all year.

The pendulous nature of the fuchsia makes it a welcome addition to any garden border idea. It’s incredibly easy to take a fuschia cutting, but things get a little more complicated when it comes to choosing the right time to prune fuchsias.

By removing dead, damaged, or overgrown branches, you encourage the plant to produce vigorous new growth and more vibrant flowers. Pruning fuchsia also helps prevent pests and diseases by improving air circulation around the plant.

One thing you might not know about the plant is that there are two varieties: hardy and tender. And while it’s generally a good idea to learn how to prune fuchsia in the same way, that’s where the similarities end. In fact, they have two completely different pruning requirements.

When to prune fuchsias 

We spoke to the experts to get the full low-down on when to prune fuchsias so they are kept neat and tidy and steadily blooming next summer.

When to prune hardy fuchsias

As you should be able to guess from the name, hardy fuchsias are fairly invincible. With their bright and vibrant dangling flowers, these plants require very little and are extremely easy-going. As long as they have well-draining soil and regular watering, they should be able to thrive all year round – even in the harsh winter, especially if you know how to overwinter them.

Hardy fuchsias are so popular that they’re normally used for hedges, as the thick stems and shrub-like growth add an impressive fullness to your garden edging ideas. In fact, it’s this fullness that allows a hardy fuchsia to survive the winter months without any human intervention.

That’s because the older growth on the top of the plant acts as a winter jacket, protecting new growth from frost and the cold, as well as limiting the risk of disease. When the risk of frost is gone in the spring, you can then focus on cutting back these old branches and allowing new growth to form.

‘It’s important to leave the previous year’s growth on the plant over winter as this not only provides shelter for insects but will also give some insulation to the plants’ roots and base, which is where new growth will begin to grow the following spring,’ explains Morris Hankinson, founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries.

Steve Chilton, garden expert at LeisureBench explains, ‘In the UK, I recommend pruning fuchsias in March/April time, or as soon as you notice the first signs of growth. This is because they’re generally susceptible to frost damage, so pruning in early spring makes sure that the plant can recover from its pruning without the threat of being damaged by frost.’

‘When new growth can be seen in spring, use clean sharp secateurs (like this pair from Spear & Jackson) to cut back to a pair of leaf buds at about 10cm high,’ suggests Morris. ‘Fuchsia will grow and flower from new growth, so removing the old stems won’t cause any problems with future flowering.’

‘If your garden is colder or you are growing a less hardy variety, all of the previous year’s growth should be cut back to the ground to encourage new growth,’ adds Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture.

‘This is because the cold can kill the stems down to ground level, but they will recover and regrow. As you are pruning, take care not to damage any new shoots at the base of the plant. If your fuchsias have congested stems, prune these plants down to the ground in early spring, and they will soon sprout again.’

When to prune tender fuchsias

Yes, tender fuchsias are a little more sensitive than the hardy kind. With thinner stems and daintier flowers, they’re often a popular choice for hanging baskets and outdoor plant pots. However, they do require a little more time and patience.

As tender fuchsias struggle to survive the cold and frosty conditions, experts suggest bringing them inside during the winter months – whether that be in your home or in your greenhouse. But it’s also a good idea to prune your fuchsias before you start overwintering your plants.

Make sure you transfer your fuchsias to pots for the winter by the end of September, cutting it back to half of its original size in the process. Aim to cut back as many of the leaves as you can so it doesn’t use unnecessary energy during the cold winter months.

When winter is over and spring has sprung once again, you can also take the opportunity to give your tender fuchsias some more attention. Simply cut back the stems to the lowest buds to promote even better growth during its flowering period. It’s also a good idea to pinch the growing tips every so often to encourage a bigger and bushier plant.

What you’ll need

FAQs

Can you cut back fuchsia in autumn?

Yes, if you have tender fuchsias. As one of the best autumn flowering shrubs, it’s important to understand the difference between tender and hardy fuchsias – as you can only cut one of these varieties back in the autumn.

If you have tender fuchsias in your garden, it’s a good idea to prepare them for overwintering by cutting them back by half in September. This will allow it to survive the winter months and conserve its energy after it is taken inside or into a greenhouse.

However, you shouldn’t cut back hardy fuchsias in the autumn as they use this old growth as a protective layer during the colder months. This means that it should be able to survive the winter months without having to be pulled up and taken inside. Instead, you should cut back a hardy fuchsia in spring.

When should you prune fuchsias in the UK?

It depends on the variety of fuchsia you have. If you have a hardy fuchsia, you should wait until early spring (when you see the first signs of growth) to prune your plant.

‘Hardy fuchsias should be pruned in March or April in the UK, as this is often when the risk of frost has passed,’ explains Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture. ‘Hardy fuchsias will usually have a bit of dieback over winter in the UK, and this can be easily removed in early spring by trimming and tidying the plant.’

If you have a tender fuchsia, however, it’s a good idea to cut the plant back by half before overwintering and then give it another small prune in spring to ensure it’s in the best shape before flowering.

Do you cut back fuchsias after flowering?

Yes, as this will promote new growth and give the plant the chance to use all of its energy on new flowers and new foliage. By doing this, the next year’s summer flowering period should be bigger and better.

If you have tender fuchsias, cut back after flowering in September before overwintering. You can wait a bit longer if you have hardy fuchsias, though, as these can survive the winter with their own growth still intact. You’ll want to cut back as new growth starts to form in the spring, though.

‘After fuchsias have finished flowering, the dead flowers will usually fall off by themselves, but deadheading can help the plant to continue producing regular flowers,’ explains Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture.

‘In early or mid-spring, cut back the previous year’s flowering stems to around one or two buds, and some plants may need to be cut back to ground level to stimulate the development of new growth for flowers in the summer.’

Although, Morris Hankinson, founder of Hope Groves Nurseries adds, ‘Generally it is advised to leave fuchsia after flowering and prune in spring. Leaving the flowers means the shrub will form berries which are edible and can be made into jam and other recipes.’

What month do fuchsias grow back?

We asked Morris Hankinson, founder of Hope Groves Nurseries for his insights.

‘Fuchsia will start to regrow in springtime and flower from late spring through the summer and in to autumn, but it very much depends on the variety and climate where fuchsias are grown. Flowers can be seen any time from June to November.’

Take good care of your fuchsias and they’ll continue to shine year after year.