As a gardener, I understand how frustrating it can be to search for the right pruning time for each plant individually. This is going to be a unique resource for the Zone 9 gardeners of Florida. In this article, I will share the pruning timeline for all the major plants and trees in Zone 9 - Florida.
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Who can follow this pruning schedule/timeline?
This is only for Florida gardeners who live in Zone 9. If you consider all the climate factors, Zone 9 in Texas and Zone 9 in Florida are not the same. If you want to prune your plant at the perfect time, you should consider all the climate factors.
To make it easier for you I have created this pruning timeline chart.
The rule most gardeners follow: it’s best to prune after the plant has finished blooming (For flowering plants)— you can say, right after fruit harvest is the time for major pruning (For fruit trees). Prune as needed to remove diseased or crossing limbs, open up the canopy for better airflow, or keep the tree at a manageable height for harvesting.
If I give you the list of all the trees/plants in a single chart, it will be difficult for you to find the plant that you are looking for. So I have separated the chart into the following categories:
- Pruning chart for flowering plants - Tips and pruning techniques, timing to encourage blooming and shape the plant.
- Pruning chart for fruit trees - Best times to prune for fruit production and structural support building.
- Pruning chart for Ornamental Trees - To maintain shape, height, and health.
- Vines and Climbers – Pruning tips to control growth, support flowering, and prevent invasiveness.
- Herbs
- Ground covering plants
- Vegetables - We can improve harvesting by pruning at the right time.
I may not have covered every single plant or tree, but I’ve poured countless hours of work and research into creating this pruning chart. Please subscribe to this site to motivate me to bring more content like this. (It's Free!)
I’ll be updating this post regularly to add more plants and bring you even more accurate information. My family members are in gardening including me, and we love to do experiments. Our years of experiments help us to provide you with the best gardening tips.
If you are a fan of porch plants, read: Low Maintenance Porch Plants for Zone 9
Flowering Plants Pruning Timeline for Zone 9 - Florida
| Plant Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Azalea | Immediately after blooming (spring) | Light pruning to shape and remove dead wood |
| Camellia | Late winter to early spring | Deadheading and shaping |
| Hibiscus | Early spring | Hard pruning to encourage new growth |
| Roses | Late winter | Prune for shape and remove dead wood |
| Gardenia | After flowering (late spring to early summer) | Light pruning |
| Crepe Myrtle | Late winter | Structural and thinning pruning |
| Bougainvillea | Early spring | Light pruning to shape and control size |
| Plumbago | Early spring | Cut back heavily to encourage bushier growth |
| Oleander | Late winter to early spring | Shaping and removal of old wood |
| Jasmine | After flowering (late spring) | Trim lightly to control shape and encourage blooms |
| Butterfly Bush | Early spring | Hard pruning to near ground level |
| Bird of Paradise | Late winter | Remove old leaves and faded flower stems |
| Plumeria | Early spring | Prune for shape and to remove damaged or leggy branches |
| Hydrangea | After flowering (summer) | Deadheading and light pruning to shape |
| Blue Daze (Evolvulus) | Early spring | Trim to control shape and size |
| Lantana | Early spring | Cut back to promote new growth and blooming |
| Mexican Petunia | Early spring | Cut back heavily to control spread |
| Petunias | Throughout the growing season | Deadheading and light shaping |
| Salvia | Early spring and after flowering | Cut back for shape and reblooming |
If you are new to Grow Bird of Paradise, I have something for you: Plant, Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise Plant - Florida
Hibiscus is beautiful, but I stopped growing this due to the mealybugs. Hibiscus attracts mealybugs too quickly and spreads to other plants. You need to prune regularly if the hibiscus is affected by mealybugs.
If you do not prune lantana for a long time, it will be the result:
Pruning on Lantana will result in more bloomings.
Pruning schedule chart for fruit trees - Zone 9
| Tree Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Late winter (before new growth begins) | Shape, remove dead or diseased wood |
| Peach | Late winter to early spring | Thin branches, remove old wood to encourage fruiting |
| Pear | Late winter to early spring | Remove crossing branches, thin to shape |
| Plum | Late winter | Remove weak branches, shape for airflow |
| Fig | Late winter | Thin branches, cut back for size control |
| Persimmon | Late winter | Remove dead or diseased wood, thin interior |
| Citrus (Orange, Lemon, Lime) | Late winter or early spring | Shape lightly, remove suckers and dead wood |
| Avocado | Early spring | Remove dead wood, shape lightly |
| Mango | After harvest (late summer) | Remove crossing branches, thin for airflow |
| Papaya | Throughout the year, as needed | Remove old leaves, thin to control size |
| Banana | After fruiting | Remove old stems, prune suckers to control spread |
| Pomegranate | Late winter | Remove weak growth, shape lightly |
| Grapefruit | Early spring | Remove dead wood, thin and shape |
| Loquat | After fruiting (late spring to early summer) | Remove crossing branches, shape to maintain size |
| Olive | Late winter | Remove interior growth for airflow, shape lightly |
| Guava | After fruiting (late summer) | Thin branches, remove old or dead wood |
| Mulberry | After fruiting | Cut back heavily to control size |
| Starfruit (Carambola) | After harvest (late summer to early fall) | Prune for shape and to control height |
| Barbados Cherry | After fruiting | Shape lightly, remove dead or crossing branches |
| Lychee | After harvest (summer) | Thin out branches, prune for shape |
| Pineapple Guava | After fruiting (fall) | Shape and remove interior branches for better airflow |
Fruit trees are great if you want to enjoy the beauty of the tree along with healthy fruits. I have a farmhouse in Zone 9 and I wanted to create shades as early as possible. If you want fast-growing shade trees read Fast Growing Shade Trees for Zone 9
Or if you just want it as privacy hedges read: Fast Growing Hedges for Privacy - Zone 9
Pruning timing for ornamental trees in Zone 9 - Florida
| Tree Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Crepe Myrtle | Late winter | Thin branches, remove old flower heads |
| Red Maple | Late winter | Remove dead or crossing branches, shape lightly |
| Magnolia | After flowering (spring) | Shape lightly, remove crossing branches |
| Dogwood | Late winter | Remove dead wood, thin for airflow |
| Japanese Maple | Late winter or early spring | Shape lightly, thin branches |
| Eastern Redbud | After flowering (spring) | Remove dead wood, thin to maintain shape |
| Live Oak | Late winter to early spring | Remove lower branches, shape as needed |
| Gingko | Late winter | Remove interior branches for airflow, shape lightly |
| Jacaranda | After flowering (late spring to early summer) | Shape and thin out branches |
| Chinese Tallow | Late winter | Thin out, remove lower branches |
| Royal Poinciana | After flowering (summer) | Remove interior branches for better airflow, shape lightly |
| Weeping Willow | Early spring | Remove weak or dead branches, shape as needed |
| Southern Magnolia | Late winter or early spring | Thin for shape, remove lower branches |
| Golden Rain Tree | Late winter | Remove dead wood, thin interior for airflow |
| Frangipani (Plumeria) | Late winter to early spring | Remove dead branches, shape lightly |
| Ornamental Cherry | After flowering (spring) | Thin for shape, remove dead wood |
| Silk Tree (Mimosa) | Late winter | Remove dead wood, thin interior branches |
| Tabebuia | After flowering (spring) | Shape lightly, remove crossing branches |
| Silver Buttonwood | Late winter | Thin branches, shape for size control |
Do you know that you can grow shrubs under magnolia and it will increase the beauty of your tree?
Vines and Climbers Pruning timeline
| Plant Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Passionflower (Passiflora) | Late winter to early spring | Remove dead wood and shape lightly |
| Honeysuckle | After flowering (late spring) | Thin out, remove old wood |
| Wisteria | Late winter | Remove excess growth, shape for size |
| Climbing Roses | Late winter to early spring | Cut back to promote new growth and blooms |
| Bougainvillea | Late winter | Shape for size, remove dead or crossing branches |
| Jasmine | After flowering (late summer) | Thin branches, remove dead wood |
| Ivy (Hedera) | Spring | Cut back to control size, remove dead growth |
| Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) | Late winter | Prune to control growth, remove dead wood |
| Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) | Spring | Cut back for shape, remove old growth |
| Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila) | Late winter | Thin out, remove excess growth |
| Perennial Pea (Lathyrus) | After flowering | Remove spent flowers and thin as needed |
| Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia) | Late winter to early spring | Remove dead growth, prune to encourage blooms |
| Morning Glory (Ipomoea) | After flowering | Cut back to promote new growth |
| Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus) | After flowering | Thin branches, remove dead growth |
| Flame Vine (Pyrostegia venusta) | After flowering | Cut back to control size, remove dead branches |
| Cat's Claw Vine (Dolichandra unguis-cati) | Late winter | Thin out and shape lightly |
If you do not maintain the pruning time properly for Bougainvillea, you may witness the Bougainvillea not blooming in the flowering season.
I have not added cypress vine to the list as it is considered to be an invasive vine.
If you wish you can read: How to grow cypress vine in Florida
Herbs Pruning in Zone 9 - Florida
| Herb Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Throughout the growing season | Pinch leaves to promote growth |
| Oregano | Late spring to early summer | Cut back one-third for new growth |
| Thyme | After flowering | Trim back for denser foliage |
| Mint | Throughout the growing season | Trim back to control growth |
| Rosemary | Late winter to early spring | Shape and remove dead stems |
| Sage | Early spring | Cut back dead wood |
| Chives | Spring and summer | Cut back after flowering |
| Cilantro | Throughout the growing season | Trim leaves to encourage growth |
| Parsley | Spring to early summer | Cut older leaves to promote new |
| Dill | Throughout the growing season | Trim to prevent flowering |
Ground-covering plants pruning
| Plant Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ajuga (Bugleweed) | Early spring | Trim to control spread |
| Periwinkle (Vinca minor) | Early spring | Cut back to promote growth |
| Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox) | After flowering | Trim back spent blooms |
| Creeping Thyme | Late spring | Trim to encourage dense growth |
| Chamomile | After flowering | Trim back to promote new growth |
| Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia) | Early spring | Trim to control size |
| Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) | After flowering | Trim to encourage bushiness |
| Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) | Early spring | Trim to control growth |
| Ground Morning Glory (Convolvulus sabatius) | Throughout growing season | Pinch back to encourage blooms |
| Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) | After flowering | Trim to maintain shape |
Vegetable pruning timeline for zone 9
| Vegetable Name | Pruning Time | Pruning Type |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Throughout the growing season | Pinch suckers |
| Cucumber | Early summer | Trim to encourage climbing |
| Bell Pepper | Throughout growing season | Remove dead leaves |
| Squash | During fruit development | Cut back excess leaves |
| Eggplant | Throughout growing season | Remove old growth |
| Beans | After harvest | Trim to promote regrowth |
| Zucchini | Throughout growing season | Remove dead leaves |
| Broccoli | After main head harvest | Cut side shoots |
| Lettuce | Before flowering | Trim to prolong harvest |
| Carrot | After thinning | Trim tops to encourage growth |
Asparagus is not added to this table as I have made a dedicated article on When and how to trim back Asparagus (Asparagus should be trimmed when the leaves turn yellow or brown)
Share this pruning timeline guide with your Zone 9 Gardening friends.
One request to our readers: Consider growing at least 2 to 3 native plants to promote native growing in Florida. Check: Best easy to grow native plants in Florida
No matter where you live in Florida, this is for you: Florida Planting Calendar
