Pruning milkweed grown in Portland - Ask Extension
I bought a milkweed this year and put it in a big pot on the deck. The leaves are dying back right now, and it's very tall and leggy. When and how d...
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Pruning milkweed grown in Portland #889383
Asked November 05, 2024, 1:46 PM EST
I bought a milkweed this year and put it in a big pot on the deck. The leaves are dying back right now, and it's very tall and leggy. When and how do I prune this plant?
I would like it to be bushy because it has only half a dozen stems right now. Will it grow more as it gets older?
Thank you,
Olivia
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Olivia and thanks for your question about cutting back milkweed. I have not grown it in a pot, but I do cut it back down to about 6 inches. It's not really a bushy plant, as it would rather extend laterally than put out more leaves. Once cut back, you will need to move the contatiner to a protected place, like a shed, garage, or basement, to protect the roots from the extreme cold.
The number of stems you get next year will depend on the health of the plant, how well it survived the winter and how robust the root system is. In other words... it will be a surprise to see what comes up next year!
The number of stems you get next year will depend on the health of the plant, how well it survived the winter and how robust the root system is. In other words... it will be a surprise to see what comes up next year!
