If your flowers are fading too fast, a little snip might be all they need. Deadheading—removing spent blooms—tells plants to keep producing new ones instead of going to seed.
These 10 flowering plants respond especially well to this simple trick, rewarding you with fuller, longer-lasting displays all season long.
Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
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Snip off spent flower heads and you’ll see more vibrant clusters pop up quickly. Deadheading also keeps these classic container favorites looking tidy.
Zinnias
These summer workhorses will bloom nonstop if you keep up with deadheading. Removing old blooms helps prevent mildew and keeps plants looking fresh.
Cosmos
Cosmos love to bloom, but only if you remove faded flowers. Deadheading encourages bushier growth and weeks of airy color.
Marigolds
Deadheading marigolds keeps them full of blooms and prevents them from getting leggy. It’s also a great way to keep pollinators coming back.
Petunias
These showy annuals need frequent deadheading to avoid becoming stringy. A quick pinch will give you bigger, fuller blooms all summer long.
Salvia
Salvias respond beautifully to deadheading—snip off faded spikes and you’ll get fresh waves of flowers and better overall shape.
Coreopsis
Also known as tickseed, coreopsis blooms for months with a little maintenance. Removing spent flowers encourages more buds and prevents reseeding.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
While coneflowers are great for birds if left alone, deadheading early in the season can extend blooming before letting seed heads develop later.
Snapdragons
Deadheading helps snapdragons bloom repeatedly, especially in cooler weather. Pinch spent flower stalks to promote lush, colorful regrowth.
Dahlias
Regular deadheading is a must for dahlias. These showstoppers will keep pumping out blooms well into fall if you keep removing old ones.
A few minutes with your garden scissors can mean weeks more color. These flowers thrive on regular deadheading and will reward your efforts with longer, fuller, and more brilliant displays. Keep snipping, and your garden will keep blooming.
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