Do You Need to Deadhead Your Flowers? A Gardening Pro Explains

My grandmother had a gift for growing things, and she passed her love of digging in the dirt to me. The first job I ever had in her garden was deadheading the petunias and marigolds. With her guiding hands, I learned that if I didn’t take off the faded blooms, the plant would stop blossoming.

Today, there are many new varieties of flowers that don’t necessarily require deadheading to keep flourishing, but there are still reasons you may want to snip off spent flowers. For one, some annuals push more blooms if you remove the flower because it redirects its energy into producing new flowers, instead of seeds. Plus, many plants just look neater and more appealing if you remove the blooms after they are past their prime.

For me, the methodical process of snipping off the blooms also has a rather meditative quality. Sometimes, I do my best thinking when deadheading, enjoying the early morning light, watching hummingbirds zip by, and listening to the hum of bees on nearby plants. Just 10 or so minutes once or twice a week is adequate for most gardens so you don’t get too far behind or things start to look scruffy. Ahead, learn what flowers you should deadhead, and which varieties you can skip.

Definitely not, but many annuals benefit from deadheading and will push more blooms if you do so.

Annuals that need deadheading

• Marigolds
• Geraniums
• Dianthus
• Zinnia
• Cosmos
• Old-fashioned petunias: newer re-blooming varieties of petunia, such as Wave and Supertunia, have been bred to flower repeatedly so you don’t necessarily need to clean them up unless you want to keep the plant tidy.

Perennials and shrubs that need deadheading

Many perennials and shrubs look and perform better if you deadhead them, such as:

• Roses, though many shrub types are “self-cleaning,” meaning old blooms drop off on their own
• Butterfly bush, which will branch when trimmed and produce more flowers
• Daylilies as they get mushy and greasy if left in place after blooming; be careful not to snip off the new flowers remaining on each stem
• Daffodils, which will put more energy back into the bulb rather than producing seeds if you snip off the faded flower head

Plants that don’t need deadheading

You shouldn’t deadhead plants that self-seed, or drop seeds that will return next year in your garden as new plants, such as:

• Hollyhock
• Foxglove
• Cardinal flower
• Columbine
• Borage
• Ammi
• Viola
• Portulaca
• Ornamental allium
• Vervain

Also, don’t deadhead plants that will offer food to birds or winter interest in the garden—think rudbeckias and coneflowers.

As blooms fade, pinch, or cut off just below the spent flower. Be careful not to accidentally snip new buds or leaves that are in the early process of emerging. Cut just above that point.

Also be mindful not to remove any unopened buds. You can use your fingers or garden snips for annuals and some perennials, while pruners are best for woodier perennials and shrubs.

Don’t fret if you accidentally cut off a bud or aren’t sure exactly where to cut. Plants are incredibly resilient and forgiving, and chances are, it will bloom well even if you nipped off more than you intended.

Arricca Elin SanSone

Contributing Writer

Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.