How to Deadhead Annual Plants

Deadheading plants refers to removing old blooms once they have begun to fade. Not only does this improve the appearance of flowering plants, it encourages new blooms as well. When flowers go to seed, a message is sent to the plant that it has accomplished its goal of producing seed for reproduction and it ceases making new blooms. Removing the flower head before it has gone to seed tricks the plant into thinking it has not produced enough blooms and results in continued blooming.

Things You'll Need

• Garden clippers (optional)

Instructions

1. Examine your plant's blossoms daily for any signs of fading, discoloration or shriveling. Some flowers, such as petunias and morning glories, close quickly and must be deadheaded daily, while others, such as zinnia, may bloom for a week or more.

2. Hold the faded bloom between your thumb and forefinger and squeeze gently to remove the flower head from the stem. Large sturdy plants may require the use of garden shears, but most flowers can be deadheaded easily by hand.

3. Discard spent flowers. If flowers have already set seed, reserve the seed for future planting or sprinkle them on the soil around the base of the plant to encourage the new plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Flowers labeled as self-cleaning (like impatiens) do not require deadheading.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: Garden Tips
• University of Missouri Extension: Removing Spent Flowers/Deadheading
• Purdue University Extension: Growing Annual Flowers

Resources

• UC Davis: Deadhead Flowers to Neaten Garden and Prolong Blooms
• NC State University Extension: Deadheading Can Bring Long Lasting Color