Pruning fivespot encourages robust growth and maintains a tidy form. This practice ensures the plant directs energy to produce vigorous shoots and blooms, while deterring legginess and unruly spread.

For fivespot, the best seasons for pruning are Spring and Fall. Pruning in Spring is ideal as it coincides with the start of the plant's active growth period. This timing allows fivespot to recover quickly and put out new growth, contributing to a fuller, healthier plant. Pruning during this period also helps to maintain the desired plant shape and remove any winter-damaged stems before the commencement of growth spurts. Fall pruning is advantageous as it prepares fivespot for its dormant period, removing any dead or diseased foliage that could harbor pests or diseases throughout the winter months. This practice also helps to prevent damage from winter weather as well as reduce the overall mass of the plant, which can be beneficial in areas with heavy snowfall. However, it is important to avoid heavy pruning late into fall because new growth might not harden off in time for winter, leading to frost damage. Summer is generally not recommended for pruning fivespot as it is the flowering period, and pruning can negatively impact blooming and the potential seeding for the following year.