Should You Cut Peonies Back After Blooming? Here's What Experts Say

If you've landed on this page, you're more than likely wondering if you should cut your peonies back after they bloom. While the short answer is yes, there are several nuances to keep in mind for the best results.

"Properly cutting back peonies helps maintain plant health, improve appearance and support future flowering," says Tabar Gifford, partnership cultivator and master gardener at American Meadows and High Country Gardens. "Most importantly, proper timing ensures the plant has enough opportunity to photosynthesize and recharge itself for the following growing season."

In addition to Gifford, we chatted with several other gardening and horticulture experts to learn more about when you should cut back your peonies, as well as best practices to ensure you're doing so properly. Read on to learn more about the right time to cut back peonies as well as the proper way to do it.

The Right Time to Cut Back Peonies

Our experts note that the best time to cut back peonies is soon after they bloom. This only applies to herbaceous peonies, as Amy Schneider, a horticulturist at Denver Botanic Gardens, notes that this is the only type of peony that you should cut.

That said, you need to pay attention to where, what and how much you're cutting. Our experts recommend avoiding cutting the entire bloom back immediately after blooming and focusing only on the spent flowers at this time. You'll know that it's time to cut them back when the leaves are both dry and brown.

"While it can be helpful to remove heavily infected leaves, cutting down the entire plant before the foliage is dead can exhaust food reserves and reduce flower production next year," says Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University.

Barbara Arnold, senior horticulture designer at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, adds that deadheading peonies in the spring and cutting them back completely in the fall is her preference and what she recommends doing to maintain the overall health of your plants. "Cutbacks are removing too much top growth, and spring is not a good time for that," she explains. "Deadheading (removing spent flowers) right after flowering is perfect."

Since peonies are fragile flowers, being intentional about removing infected leaves within the proper time frame is key. "Peony is prone to certain fungal diseases like leaf blotch and powdery mildew that can make the foliage unattractive," explains Steil. With this in mind, he advises not cutting the entire flower prematurely, as you run the risk of creating a smaller yield during the next blooming season. Arnold notes that drooping leaves and mildew can let you know it's time to cut them back.

How to Properly Cut Back Peonies

Now that you know the right time to cut back your peonies, it's equally important to know the proper cutting techniques. Gifford recommends using a sharp and disinfected pair of pruners.

The approach you should take to make cuts should depend on the season and whether you're specifically deadheading your peonies or cutting them back. "When deadheading, make cuts at a slight angle and avoid tearing stems by hand," says Gifford. "During fall cleanup, cut stems cleanly and remove any fallen plant debris around the base of the plant to promote good garden hygiene."

Regardless of your approach, Jean-Guy Gobeil, head gardener at Fairmont Empress, emphasizes the importance of wearing gloves and having a disinfectant nearby for easy access.

Gobeil adds that you should do your best to avoid cutting healthy leaf nodes when deadheading, as well as ensuring that you're only cutting what is necessary, leaving as much foliage as possible.

If you're fully cutting back your peonies (as opposed to just deadheading them), cleanliness is key. "Cut [the] entire stem to one to two inches above the ground. I leave the stem stubs to tell me exactly where the plant is," says Arnold. "I am going to remove all leaves from the area, leaving nothing behind. This cleanliness removes the possibility for fungal spores to overwinter and issues next year."

Dr. Kimberly Moore, associate center director and professor of environmental horticulture at the University of Florida, IFAS, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, adds that your goal should be to make your cutbacks before new growth occurs in the spring.

Pruning your peonies at the right time of year and using the correct technique is good for these flowers: they'll come back stronger and bloom better next year.

Related: Why Roses Shouldn't Be Pruned Until This Spring Milestone

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 4:30 AM.