Candytuft (Iberis) is one of those rockstar plants—tough, low-maintenance, and totally reliable. If you give it the right spot and a little TLC, it’ll stick around for years. The secret to keeping it looking its best? A good annual pruning routine.
Keeping Your Candytuft in Check
If your Candytuft is happy and sitting in nutrient-rich soil, it can sometimes get a little *too* enthusiastic and start taking over. To keep it tidy, give it a good haircut in the spring, cutting it back to about 4 inches in height. This is also the perfect time to clear out any dried-up leaves or dead stems. Throughout the growing season, feel free to do some light “maintenance snips” here and there to rein in any wild, wandering shoots.
Once the blooming season winds down in October, it’s time for the final trim of the year. You’ll want to clear away spent blooms before the first frost hits. This essentially “rejuvenates” the perennial, ensuring it bounces back full of energy next spring. Just don’t wait too long! If you prune too late, the plant won’t have time to heal before the snow flies, which can lead to frost damage. Here are my go-to rules for pruning:
- Shorten stems by about one-third to one-half.
- Avoid cutting back into the “old wood” (the hard, brown parts).
- Use anvil pruners for the cleanest cut.
- Don’t snap the stems; cut them at a slight angle so rainwater slides off instead of sitting on the cut, which prevents rot.
Why Bother Pruning?
Candytuft is naturally low-growing and loves to bloom, but it can get leggy or overgrown in rich soil. Regular pruning keeps it looking like a lush carpet rather than a messy weed. Here’s why we do it:
- Prevents the plant from becoming invasive.
- Encourages a second flush of flowers.
- Provides pretty cuttings for indoor vases.
- Removes diseased sections.
- Allows for seed harvesting (or prevents unwanted self-seeding).
- Provides cuttings for new plants.
- Preps the plant to survive the winter.
Propagating with Cuttings
The best time to grab cuttings is in the summer after the flowers have faded. For successful propagation, look for stems about 4 inches long that are still green at the tips. Stick each cutting into a pot with some seed-starting mix and keep the soil lightly moist. You’ll see roots forming in no time! Once you see new growth, your “baby” Candytuft is ready for its permanent home in the garden. Just remember, these youngsters are a bit delicate, so give them some winter protection—a layer of evergreen boughs works perfectly to keep them cozy.
