May is a month of fast growth, fresh blooms, and endless energy in the garden. Plants that looked sleepy and bare just a few weeks ago are now stretching their stems, opening new leaves, and racing toward their summer peak.
It can be tempting to grab the pruning shears and tidy everything up, but sometimes the best thing you can do is step back and let nature take its course.
Some plants thrive when you leave them alone in May, building strength, producing flowers, and feeding pollinators without any interruption.
Knowing which plants to leave untouched helps your garden grow healthier, wilder, and more beautiful all season long.
Resist the urge to cut too soon. Instead, let these plants show you what they can do when given the chance to flourish on their own.
Here are five plants you should let grow freely this May.
Lavender
Lavender is one of those plants that thrives on a little bit of neglect, especially in the spring. If you are feeling tempted to grab the shears and trim it back in May, it is better to resist.
This is the time when lavender is building its flower spikes and getting ready for a full summer of fragrance and color.
New growth on lavender looks soft, green, and slightly fuzzy compared to the older, woody stems. These tender shoots are delicate and can be easily damaged if you prune too early.
Cutting now can interrupt the plant’s natural growth rhythm and reduce the number of blooms you will see later on.
Instead of cutting, focus on encouraging strong, healthy growth by giving your lavender good air circulation and plenty of sunlight.
If the plant is crowded, gently move nearby plants or clear away debris from the base, but leave the stems alone. Lavender likes to grow wild and a little loose at this time of year.
Water sparingly as temperatures warm. Lavender thrives when the soil dries out slightly between waterings, and too much moisture can cause root rot.
Healthy, unstressed plants will naturally produce fuller, stronger flowers when the time is right.
You can also add a light layer of mulch made from small gravel or coarse sand around the base of your lavender to keep weeds down and reflect heat back toward the plant. Just make sure not to pile it up against the stems.
By leaving lavender alone in May, you are giving it the best chance to fill your garden with long, arching stems topped with violet blooms.
Sometimes the best kind of care is knowing when to do nothing at all. Trust your lavender to know exactly how to grow strong and beautiful without interference.
Coneflower
Coneflowers are tough, cheerful plants that know exactly what they are doing once May arrives. If you prune them too early, you risk cutting off strong new stems that are already setting up for their biggest show of the year.
In May, coneflowers start sending up clusters of new leaves at the base, followed by thick, upright stems that will soon support bold, colorful blooms.
These young stems are full of energy and are working hard to create the structure the plant needs for summer flowering. Cutting them back now weakens the plant and delays the blooming you have been waiting for.
Instead of trimming, spend your time observing how the plant naturally fills out.
Stronger, older clumps will often spread outward, creating a graceful, mounding shape that anchors the summer garden. Give them space to expand without crowding or interference.
If you want to give your coneflowers a helping hand, make sure they are growing in full sun and that the soil drains well. Adding a light layer of compost around the base can offer a gentle nutrient boost without disturbing the roots or stems.
Coneflowers are also favorites of pollinators like bees and butterflies, and letting them grow freely in May ensures that you will have a steady stream of visitors later.
Strong, untouched stems hold up better to wind and storms, keeping the flowers upright and beautiful when the weather turns rough.
Sometimes the best way to support your garden is simply to step back and watch it do what it does best.
Let your coneflowers grow wild this May, and you will be rewarded with a sea of bold, daisy-like blooms that seem to dance in the summer breeze.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bushes are famous for their long, colorful flower spikes that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies from all over the neighborhood.
In May, these plants are busy waking up and stretching out toward the sky. It is important not to interrupt them with heavy pruning during this delicate time.
New growth usually appears at the base first, with bright green shoots quickly gaining height as the days grow warmer. While it can be tempting to trim away the older woody stems or shape the plant for neatness, it is best to wait.
Pruning too early can remove developing flower buds and reduce the overall size and fullness of the display later on.
Instead of reaching for the clippers, spend May making sure your butterfly bush has the space and sunlight it needs.
Clear away any debris from around the base to allow better airflow, and gently loosen compacted soil if necessary. Giving the plant a little breathing room encourages stronger, healthier growth naturally.
If you feel like your butterfly bush needs a little boost, you can add a light application of compost or a slow-release fertilizer around the root zone.
Water deeply after feeding to help nutrients reach the roots, but avoid overwatering. These plants are drought-tolerant once established and prefer soil that dries slightly between waterings.
Letting your butterfly bush grow wild in May allows it to build strong stems that can support heavy flower clusters later. It also gives pollinators a rich, vibrant food source that lasts through summer and into early fall.
Sometimes the most beautiful gardens come not from perfect control, but from trusting nature’s timing.
By letting your butterfly bush thrive on its own terms, you create a living magnet for all the color and life of the season.
Bee Balm
Bee balm is one of the most joyful plants to grow, with its wild, shaggy blooms and constant buzzing from happy pollinators. May is the month when bee balm starts to stretch its legs, pushing out new stems and forming lush green clumps that promise a brilliant show later on.
At this stage, it is important to resist the urge to cut back or tidy up. Young shoots are tender and packed with energy, setting the framework for dozens of flower heads to come.
Cutting too early can weaken the plant, delay blooming, and even cause uneven or spindly growth.
Instead of pruning, focus on supporting your bee balm naturally. Make sure it has plenty of sunlight, as these plants thrive in bright, open spaces.
Mulch lightly around the base to keep moisture levels steady and suppress weeds without pressing mulch directly against the stems.
Bee balm also appreciates a little breathing room, so if your patch is too crowded, consider gently thinning nearby plants rather than cutting the bee balm itself. This extra space helps prevent mildew, which bee balm can be prone to in humid conditions.
If you want to give your bee balm an extra boost, a light feeding with compost or an all-purpose organic fertilizer can do wonders.
Strong, healthy plants will reward you with taller stems, fuller clumps, and richer, more vibrant blooms when the heat of summer arrives.
Watching bee balm grow wild in May is like watching pure energy fill your garden.
The more freedom you give it now, the more dazzling the payoff will be in just a few weeks’ time. Let your bee balm roar into summer without holding it back.
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are the bold, cheerful faces of late summer gardens, but the real groundwork for their beauty happens much earlier.
In May, these sturdy plants are busy sending up fresh shoots, forming bushy clumps, and setting the stage for their long season of golden blooms.
It can be tempting to trim or shape Black-eyed Susans while they are still small, especially if you are used to neatening up other plants during spring cleanup.
But cutting them back too early can disrupt their natural growth pattern and reduce the number of flowers you get later.
New stems are tender and full of energy, reaching upward to build strong, self-supporting plants that can handle rainstorms and hot days without flopping.
Instead of pruning, focus on giving your Black-eyed Susans the best possible environment to thrive.
Make sure they are growing in a sunny spot where they get at least six hours of light each day. Good light encourages strong stems and brighter blooms.
If the soil around your plants looks tired or compacted, you can scratch in a light layer of compost to refresh it. Compost feeds the soil gently and helps retain moisture without overwhelming the roots.
Deep, thorough watering is better than frequent light watering, so aim for a good soak when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Black-eyed Susans are also wonderful for attracting bees, butterflies, and even small birds later in the season. Letting them grow naturally now helps create a pollinator-friendly garden that stays vibrant through the hottest months.
Give these spirited plants the freedom to stretch, build strength, and establish a strong root system.
By leaving them untouched in May, you set the stage for a dazzling display of golden-yellow beauty that will light up your garden well into fall.
Final Thoughts
May is a month when everything in the garden wakes up and starts to race toward the future.
While it is tempting to prune, trim, and tidy, sometimes the best thing you can do is simply step back and let nature lead the way.
Plants like lavender, coneflower, butterfly bush, bee balm, and Black-eyed Susan thrive when you trust them to grow wild.
They build stronger stems, produce more blooms, and attract more pollinators when left to follow their natural rhythm.
Patience now pays off in a garden that feels fuller, healthier, and more alive than anything you could have forced or rushed.
You do not have to be constantly busy with clippers in hand to be a good gardener. Sometimes your best job is to observe, support, and celebrate what each plant knows how to do best.
This May, let a few things grow untamed. The rewards will be bigger and more beautiful than you imagined.