Should I Remove Raspberry Suckers or Let Them Grow?

Raspberry suckers — new canes emerging from underground runners at varying distances from the main row — are the plant's natural method of renewal and expansion. Whether to remove them or allow them to grow depends entirely on where they appear. Suckers within the row are the next generation of fruiting canes; suckers outside the row or in unwanted positions are simply weeds that need to be managed. The annual decision of which to keep and which to remove is a core part of raspberry maintenance.

Suckers within the row — keep the best

New canes emerging within the row space are your future fruiting canes. For summer-fruiting raspberries, these will overwinter and fruit the following year. In late summer or autumn, select the strongest, healthiest-looking new canes in the row — aiming for six to eight per metre — and remove the rest at soil level. Overcrowded rows with too many canes produce weak, shaded growth that fruits poorly.

Suckers outside the row — remove promptly

Any sucker appearing outside the row boundaries — in paths, in neighbouring beds or in the lawn — should be removed by following it down to soil level and severing the underground runner at the point of emergence. Cutting at soil level alone leaves the runner intact; the sucker will regrow. An annual spring check of the surrounding area and prompt removal keeps the row confined.

Can suckers be used to propagate new plants?

Yes — suckers from certified, healthy, virus-free stock can be dug up in autumn or winter and replanted to start or extend a row. However, never propagate from plants with suspected virus infection; all suckers from that plant carry the virus. Propagating from your own healthy plants is fine; propagating from unknown sources is a gamble.