Spring Vs. Fall: When Should You Really Be Cutting Back Bee Balm For The Best Blooms?

Bee balm (Monarda didyma) is a stunning perennial from the mint family that is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. It is known for being a colorful plant pollinators love that you can also use in the kitchen. Pruning is one of the most important parts of caring for your bee balm plant. However, there is some debate surrounding the best time to cut back your bee balm for the best blooms. Ultimately, it is okay to cut back bee balm in either the fall or the spring, but each season comes with its own pros and cons. 

The decision often comes down to your personal preference and when you want to take the time to maintain your bee balm. But is one season better if you really want to get the best blooms? Experts suggest cutting back bee balm in the spring for the most lush flowering. That being said, there are other reasons to consider cutting back bee balm in the fall instead, such as a tidier appearance after the blooming season or disease prevention. If you have the time to spare, you can even choose to do it both before and after the blooming season.

Bee balm is among the list of perennials you should deadhead for blooms that keep coming. You can deadhead any time in the summer or in the fall, but if you are looking for fuller foliage and dense blooms, it's probably not the best time to cut them back for the season. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider it at all. There are two main reasons people choose to cut back their bee balm in the fall. First is aesthetics. Some gardeners prefer to keep their beds looking clean and tidy through the winter. If this is the case, feel free to cut down the stems of your bee balm flowers once they no longer produce flowers.

The other reason people may decide to cut back bee balm in the fall is disease. One of the most common issues bee balm has is powdery mildew. If you notice that your flowers have been impacted, you should cut away diseased stems to prevent further contamination. If you do cut bee balm back for tidiness or disease prevention in the fall, keep in mind that it will also reduce shelter for insects and seeds for birds.

There are a few important tasks to complete if you want to successfully grow bee balm plants, and cutting them back in the spring is one of them. Spring pruning helps prepare your plants for fuller, more vibrant blooms. However, it will also push back your flowering season. This happens because you need to wait until late spring when your stems are between 12 and 18 inches tall. If you choose to cut them down when they reach 12 inches, you may want to just cut the tips off. However, to promote better blooms, wait until they are just a bit taller and cut the stems halfway down. 

For an even longer blooming season, you can cut half of your stems in the fall or early spring, and half the stems in late spring. This practice can also help improve air circulation and prevent powdery mildew from becoming a problem in the fall.