I was 14 years old when I first learned the concept of deadheading from my mom. Initially, what worried me was the word “dead” in the name, which made me think she was killing her plants in some way.
However, as time went by and I grew older, deadheading has now become a late spring ritual for me. Today, we’ll go over some deadheading basics and discuss which flowers can benefit from it the most!
Let’s dive right into it!
What Is Deadheading & Why Do It?
In the simplest terms, deadheading involves removing old flowers to encourage new ones.
You want to make deadheading a consistent practice in your garden because it promotes more flower development, longer bloom time, and just makes the landscape appear neater.
Quick tip: You don’t need many tools for deadheading. Just use sharp scissors or pinch off the flowers using your fingers; it’s that simple.
7 Flowers That Benefit Most From Deadheading
1: Petunias
Deadheading petunias promotes fuller growth and constant blooming, both the things which will make your garden appear more beautiful than ever. If you find your petunia growth to be leggy, deadhead regularly to reverse it.
You can learn here the best way to deadhead petunias.
2: Zinnias
Like petunias, zinnias also grow thicker and fuller through deadheading, leading to better blooming results and keeping garden color going into fall.
Here’s a simple guide on how to deadhead zinnias to keep them blooming their best.
3: Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
Removing old geranium flowers after their blooming period keeps them tidy and blooming at their best. It also helps prevent seed formation. This includes both zonal and ivy geraniums.
4: Marigolds
In marigolds, deadheading encourages nonstop bloom development. It’s also a good way to prevent common issues with marigolds like mildew and seed drop.
This guide explains exactly how and why to deadhead marigolds to keep them healthy and vibrant.
5: Cosmos
Deadheading cosmos flowers after their blooming period ends encourages fresh flushes of flowers through summer. Due to their delicate nature, the blooms are also super easy to deadhead, even with your fingers.
6: Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Deadheading coneflowers early boosts both bloom quality and quantity. You can, however, also choose to leave late-season blooms for birds if you want.
7: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Removing spent blooms keeps blanket flowers flowering longer and healthier without unwanted issues. You actually want to deadhead these often for the best garden display.
5 Flowers That Don’t Need Deadheading
1: Impatiens
Impatiens are known for their self-cleaning capabilities. Their old blooms fall off naturally, meaning you don’t have to manually remove them one by one.
2: Begonias (Most Types)
Most begonia varieties, especially tuberous and wax begonias, don’t really need deadheading. They maintain well on their own, so no extra care is needed.
3: Vinca (Periwinkle)
Periwinkles bloom continuously on their own without needing to be deadheaded. As a matter of fact, deadheading can potentially be harmful for these perennials.
Note: Even though they’re low-maintenance, it’s important to note that vinca is actually considered invasive in many regions. It can spread quickly beyond where it’s planted and outcompete native species.
4: Lobelia
Lobelias usually self-clean, which is why it may be better to only trim them very lightly if they get leggy.
5: Sweet Alyssum
Despite the delicate sounding name and appearance, sweet alyssums are super low-maintenance and respond much better to some light shearing rather than full-on deadheading.
Best Deadheading Tips You Must Remember
Conclusion
Let’s be honest, deadheading doesn’t really work for every single flower variety out there. However, the ones that it does work for, oh boy, does it work well!
Some flowers don’t need manual removal of spent blooms to get them blooming better and healthier, while others await it to bless your eyes with the most beautiful and dense flower bundles you’ll ever see.
If you have any special deadheading tips that you’ve learned over the course of your gardening journey, make sure to drop them down below! It’s never a bad day to learn, eh?
I always dead head at the base of the stem where grows out from the main plat ,that way all the nutrients goes to the new bloom .
Hi Victoria! That’s a great method for many flowers like zinnias! 😊 But for plants like petunias or calibrachoa, where multiple blooms grow on one stem, it’s better to just pinch off the spent flower so you don’t remove the other buds. It keeps the plant blooming while still directing energy to new growth! 🌸✂️🌿
Great advice, Rita! I agree!
Hi Lynn! Thank you so much! 💛 Love hearing from fellow gardeners who know their stuff, it’s always great to swap tips and cheer each other on! 😊
You didn’t mention pansies (or maybe you did and I missed it).
The more you dead head the more and longer your pansies last! And it’s therapeutic. I do it at least once a week or more. Also, when first planted deadhead almost all of the heads except the brand new blooms. Enjoy!
Hi Angela! 😊 You’re absolutely right and thank you for pointing that out! 😊 I didn’t mention pansies, but they definitely benefit from regular deadheading. It really does help them bloom longer and stay full and vibrant. Love your tip about removing older blooms early on too, that’s such a smart way to give them a strong start! 🌸✂️💛
I collect the pansy seeds as i dead head. Ive already replanted those seeds with viola n pansy.
Hi Julie! 😊 That’s amazing! Replanting your own pansy and viola seeds is such a lovely way to keep your garden going strong, and what a great bonus from all that deadheading!
Hi Julie, when you say you replant the pansy seeds, do you just put them in the ground or seedling pots? X
Hi Joan! 😊 Not sure how Julie does it, but my mom does it too. She collects the tiny seed pods once they dry, then sprinkles the seeds into seedling trays with light soil. She keeps them a bit moist and in partial shade until they sprout. Later, she transplants them into pots or garden beds. 😊
Do you need to deadhead dianthis?
Hi Linda! Yes, dianthus really appreciates a little deadheading! 😊 Snipping off the spent blooms helps encourage more flowers and keeps the plant tidy. Just cut back to the nearest set of leaves or side bud, they’ll bounce right back with more color.
Also your rose bushes.
Hi Shirlene! 😊 Yes, absolutely! Rose bushes love a good deadheading too. Keeping those spent blooms trimmed really helps them push out more flowers and stay lush all season. Great point to add!
I was told that i didn’t have to dead head my “Knockout Roses”. Is this true?
Hi Sharon! Yes, that’s mostly true! 😊 Knock Out roses are self-cleaning, so they don’t need deadheading to keep blooming, they’ll keep going on their own. But! If you do deadhead them (just snip spent blooms back to the first five-leaflet set), you can encourage even more blooms and keep the bush looking neat. Totally optional, but a nice boost!
Hi
Can I propagate Hydrangeas from cuttings in the months of June July in Melbourne ?
Hi there! 😊 Yes, you can absolutely propagate hydrangeas from cuttings in June or July in Melbourne, that’s actually a great time since it’s your winter, and the plant is more dormant. Take hardwood cuttings from mature stems, remove the lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone if you have it, and plant them in a moist potting mix. Keep them in a sheltered spot, and they should start rooting in a few weeks! 🌿✨ Let me know if you’d like step-by-step tips!
I would love a step by step to propagate hydrangeas
Hi, absolutely! 😊 I’ll put together a simple step-by-step guide for you soon 💕 Just curious, are you thinking of trying softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood ones in late fall? Both work, just a slightly different process 😊
Please give give step by step on the hydrangea.
Sharon
Hi Sharon! 😊 I’m working on a simple step-by-step guide now and will post it very soon! It’ll cover both softwood and hardwood cuttings so you can pick what works best for you! So glad you’re interested!
I would like step by step instructions. I do not have rooting hormone, but I have pure natural honey, if that will work. I also live in Eastern Kentucky, United States. So our winter would be December, January, and February.
Hi! Thanks so much for your comment! 😊 I’d be happy to give you step-by-step instructions, just let me know which flower or plant you’re looking to propagate or deadhead. And yes, natural honey can work as a gentle rooting hormone alternative! 🍯🌱 Let me know what you’re working on and I’ll walk you through it! 🌸✂️
I would love instructions on rooting hydrangeas also. Both hard and softwood, with and without rooting hormones.
Hi! 😊 As I’ve mentioned here, I’m already working on a step-by-step guide for rooting hydrangeas (both softwood and hardwood cuttings, with and without rooting hormone) 😊 I’m hoping to finish it next week to make sure it’s clear, easy to follow, and actually helpful. Can’t wait to share it! 😍
We had 300 rose bushes in michigan so I did a lot of dead heading. We loved taking roses to rest homes.
Hi Johnny! Wow, 300 rose bushes! 😮 That’s incredible, and what a beautiful way to share them by bringing joy to rest homes. Thank you for spreading beauty and kindness like that, it truly makes a difference! 💐❤️
Rita the picture you used of Geraniums looks like they might be Ivy Geraniums (pelargonniums). I successfully propagate standard geraniums all the time but would like to try doing so with the Ivy variety. I have a very fine stemmed plant and also a thicker stemmed one. I’m not sure of the difference but both are trailing plants that I have in hanging baskets. If you don’t mind I would love some step by step help in propagating new plants.
Hi Mellisa! 😊 Thanks for pointing that out! You’ve got a great eye, yes, the photo is indeed of ivy geraniums, and I’ve just updated the image description and added a note in the article to reflect that both zonal and ivy geraniums benefit from deadheading.
I’ve never propagated ivy geraniums myself, but I’d be happy to ask a friend of mine, she’s an absolute goddess when it comes to propagation (seriously, she can root anything with magic 😂). Just let me know which one you’d like to start with (the fine-stemmed or thick-stemmed one) and I’ll get the best step-by-step tips for you! 🫶
How far down do you deadhead geraniums?
Hi Alice! For geraniums, follow the flower stem all the way down to where it meets the main plant and snap it off there. That encourages more blooms and keeps the plant looking tidy 😊
What about Fuchias do they need any special care. I love them and they come back every year
Hi Cheryl! 😊 Fuchsias are such lovely plants! If yours come back every year, they’re likely a hardy variety, lucky you! They do appreciate regular deadheading to keep blooming, and a little trim in early spring helps shape them up. Just keep them well-watered and a bit shaded in the hottest sun, and they’ll reward you beautifully! 😊
Sweet peas need to be dead headed or they won’t continue blooming
Hi Dolores! 😊 Yes, sweet peas are one of those flowers that really reward you for staying on top of deadheading. The more you pick, the more they bloom! Such a lovely little cycle 😊
What about daisies? Do they need to be dead headed and if so how far down?
Hi Dana! 😊 Yes, most daisies do benefit from deadheading. Just snip the stem down to the first set of healthy leaves or a side bud. That way, the plant puts energy into new blooms instead of seeds. Keeps them looking fresh and blooming longer!
If you brush off dried peony petals there are four pods still standing there, what is their purpose? Should I scatter them on the ground?
Hi Beki! Great observation! 😊 Those pods are actually seed heads. If left, they’ll mature and drop seeds, but they won’t bloom again this year. If you’re not collecting seeds or letting them self-sow, it’s best to snip them off so the plant puts energy back into the roots instead of seed production.
What about Esperanza’s? (Yellow bells) Do you cut off the bean-like things and stems from the blooms or leave them alone?
Hi Beverly! 😊 Those bean-like pods are actually seed pods, and if you remove them, the plant will usually bloom more. You can snip them off along with the spent flowers to keep your Esperanza looking fresh and blooming longer!
What about Tacoma Bells?
Hi Sharon! 😊 You should also dead head Tacoma Bells. Just snip off the spent blooms and seed pods to encourage more flowering. They’ll reward you with even more sunny blooms through the season! 😊
I see businesses with marigolds and petunias planted. I’ve often thought they look so pretty. However, I can’t imagine they have someone who goes out and deadheads them on a weekly basis, yet they still look so pretty. What do you think?
Hi Lori! 😊 That’s such a great observation! A lot of those public plantings use newer hybrid varieties that are more self-cleaning, especially with petunias and marigolds. And sometimes, the staff do a quick tidy-up every now and then. But they usually pick hybrid varieties, they stay looking nice with minimal care! 😊
What about daylilies? Do you deadhead them?
Hi Donna! Yes! 😊 With daylilies, it helps to snap off each spent bloom daily since they only last a day, and once a whole stem finishes blooming, you can cut it down to the base. It keeps the plant looking tidy and encourages more flowering! 😊
This is the same website that posted a Don’t Plant these Perennials page, and included vinca. Why isn’t that warning here as well?
Hi Ami! Yes, thank you for pointing that out! 😊 I do mention vinca in the “Don’t Plant These Perennials” post. But you’re right, it would be helpful to include a note here too. Some gardeners still choose to grow it despite how invasive it can be. I updated the article to reflect that. Appreciate the nudge!
I know they say you do not need to deadhead Sunpatiens. But if you do you will get even more blooms. Where do you deadhead a Sunpatiens?
Hi Ray! 😊 You’re totally right, SunPatiens don’t need deadheading, but giving them a little tidy-up can definitely encourage even more blooms! To deadhead, just pinch or snip off the spent flower right where it meets the stem, no need to go too deep. It keeps the plant neat and blooming its heart out!
Should I be deadheading my Gardenia bush?
Hi! 😊 Gardenias don’t require deadheading to keep blooming, but it definitely helps keep the bush tidy and can encourage more blooms. Just snip off the spent flower right behind the bloom where it meets the stem. (Bonus: it also helps prevent pests or mold from lingering on old flowers.)
Hi, should Rhododendrons be dead headed please?
Hi Teresa! 😊 Yes, rhododendrons do benefit from deadheading (especially the larger varieties). Once the flowers fade, you can gently snap off the spent blooms right above the new leaf growth without damaging the buds below. It helps the plant put more energy into next year’s blooms instead of seed production. Just be careful not to break off the new shoots!
Is it possible to plant a lavender plant in a hanging basket and bring indoors for the winter? Will it be ok it just find a place to plant inground?
Hi Louise! 😊 Yes, you can grow lavender in a hanging basket and bring it indoors for winter, especially in colder zones. Just make sure it’s in a sunny window with good airflow, and let the soil dry out a bit between waterings (lavender hates wet feet!). If you’re looking for more detailed tips, we have a post that might help: Tips for Growing Lavender in Pots!
That said, if you’re in a warmer zone (like 7 and up), planting it in the ground might be easier long-term, lavender loves full sun and well-drained soil. Either way can work, just depends on your winter temps and space! 😊
What about nasturtiums
Hi Shirley! 😊 Nasturtiums don’t need deadheading to keep blooming, but doing it can definitely help extend their flowering period and keep the plant looking tidy. Just pinch or snip off the faded blooms where they meet the stem, it also prevents them from putting energy into seed production too early.
How do I get azalea s to bloom again when the first flowers have died off and how do I keep it a nice shape as its looking quite straggly?
Hi Norma! 😊 Once your azaleas finish blooming, you can lightly prune them right after the flowers fade, that’s the perfect time, because they start setting buds for next year soon after. Trim back any straggly branches to shape the plant and remove the spent blooms by snapping them off gently.
Avoid pruning too late in the season (like summer or fall), or you might cut off next year’s flowers. A little shaping now will help it stay compact and full and should encourage more blooms next spring!
Thanks Rita good info and tips on dead heading. I’m wondering if you have any tips on the proper way to deadhead Canas?
Hi Nancy! You’re very welcome! 😊 For canna lilies, just snip the spent flower stalk down to the next leaf node once the bloom fades. If the whole stalk is done blooming, you can cut it all the way back to the base. That helps the plant focus energy on new growth and keeps it looking tidy!