As far as most of us can remember, pinching is something we used to do as young children in school to maybe annoy the living heck out of our friends or take revenge on someone who pinched us first.
But, today, in this context, that same kind of pinching will be used for a totally different purpose — to encourage bushier plant growth and stronger stems. Pinching is simply when you remove the top part of a flowering plant’s stem to encourage more branch growth and blooming.
By doing so, the plant directs more of its energy towards developing the main stem and you get fuller growth as a result.
What Happens If You Don’t Pinch Flowers?
Well, to be honest, nothing too bad will happen if you don’t pinch your flowers.
Yes, their growth may be a little thin and weak, and blooming may not be as vigorous but pinching is not something flowering plants necessarily “require”.
Because most people want all the good things that come from pinching (thicker, bushier growth and better flowering), it’s definitely worth a shot.
7 Flowers You Should Pinch Back
1) Asters
Asters are one of those flowers that greatly benefit from pinching. Pinch them from early spring to mid-summer for improved appearance and an extended bloom period.
2) Snapdragons
Pinching snapdragons can promote fuller plant growth and more vigorous blooming. Do it early in spring, so they can grow bushier and produce more flowers.
3) Coral bells
Another well-known flower that will benefit from pinching is the coral bell. The best time for pinching this one is in early spring and doing so will help with new, better-quality growth and improved overall appearance.
4) Calendula
If you aim to get more blooms from your calendula plants, definitely consider pinching them back early in spring. It’ll also push the plant to produce more branches and develop a fuller appearance.
5) Cosmos
Like others, cosmos should also be pinched in early spring right after they kick off growth. It’ll help improve flower yield and give your garden a fuller, more majestic look.
6) Iris
God I love the smell of iris! Anyways, it’s a good idea to pinch iris flowers in summer after their first bloom. They’ll take on a fuller look and have stronger growth.
7) Daylilies
Pinching daylilies will of course result in increased blooming but, this time around, the process will involve removing spent flower stems as well. It will help keep the plant looking fresh and tidy.
5 Flowers You Should NOT Pinch Back
1) Peonies
Pinching peonies actually limits their blooming potential. Although it won’t kill your plant or its blooms, it’s generally best practice to leave peonies alone and avoid pinching them.
2) Columbines
Why you shouldn’t pinch back Columbines is sort of a logical answer. Because they produce only one flower per stem, pinching them essentially means you remove the only blooms they were supposed to produce that flowering season.
3) Cockscomb
Cockscomb plants have their natural growth pattern and pinching them will only limit the overall growth you get from them. It will also hinder the aesthetic appeal of the blooms, making them look uncharacteristic and distorted.
4) Foxgloves
Foxgloves do not benefit from being pinched. They’re also incredibly toxic and any contact with them which could lead to you ingesting the toxins should be avoided.
5) Petunias
There’s no point in pinching petunias because they don’t benefit from it. You can do it if they’re getting a little leggy. But, overall, play it safe and avoid pinching this delicate flower.
When & How to Pinch Flowers
The general consensus is that pinching should be done when the plants are still relatively young but have a few sets of leaves.
In terms of annual timing, there’s no one specific time but early spring usually works best for most plants.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Pinching
Try not to pinch too early as you risk damaging the buds and hindering the blooming process.
Do not go overboard with pinching! It can negatively affect your plant’s vigor and ability to store energy. Pinching should always be monitored and done in moderation.
Some plants don’t really need pinching. If you try this technique with the wrong plants, they might get seriously damaged. Don’t think of it as some sort of “hack” that works for every single plant.
