How to Prune Nandina Plants

Prune a nandina plant in the late winter or early spring before it begins to regrow. Pruning at this time allows you to enjoy the fall and winter beauty of the plant without affecting the next season's growth.

Select one-fourth to one-half of the nandina stems to prune at ground level with a sharp pair of pruning shears. Prune woody, weak, old and misshapen branches, as well stems in crowded areas of the plant. This is all the pruning that is necessary to maintain a nandina plant that is not leggy or woody at the bottom.

Prune additional stems, if desired. In Step 2, only prune 25 percent of the stems at ground level. Then, prune another 25 percent of the stems, cutting off one-third of the total height of the shrub just above a leaf node. Prune another 25 percent of the stems, cutting off two-thirds of the total height. Leave the last 25 percent of the stems alone. Evenly space the different cuts so the bush looks uniform. This step is optional but results in a lush and full shrub, according to Texas A&M University.