How do you deadhead plants with multiple blooms on one stem?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.When deadheading plants with multiple flowers on one stem, one needs to be careful about where the cut is because one does not want to cut off new blooms forming underneath. With delphiniums or lupines, I have found it is best to wait until all flowers fade on the stalk to cut it. I learned this because when I deadheaded the lupines and cut the flower stalk too soon, I lost all chance for them to bloom a second time.
Single-Stalk Plants (e.g., delphiniums)
- Cut entire stalk ½ inch above the base after all blooms fade
- Use bypass pruners for clean cuts to prevent stem splitting
- Disinfect tools after each plant to avoid bacterial transfer
Clustered Blooms (e.g., geraniums)
- Remove individual faded flowers first to expose hidden buds
- Pinch stems above the first set of healthy leaves
- Shear remaining blooms only after 70% have faded
Timing is everything for success. Phlox stalks, with a few remaining flowers still available to feed the pollinators, allow you to wait until all the florets brown before cutting down. Now, my phlox in the garden blooms twice a summer because I no longer rush the cutting process. Patience gives you time to add staggered, vibrant displays.
Don't over-trim your clustered bloomers. Hydrangeas need old wood to support growth for the following year. I once cut mine too low, winterizing an entire year's flowers. Now, I only remove the previous season's blooms on the top third, leaving the lower buds for strong regrowth the following spring.
Read the full article: How to Deadhead Flowers for Continuous Blooms
