Gardeners are being warned against a common mistake that prevents flowers from producing more blooms this summer. According to gardening expert and TikTok creator Michael Griffiths, simply pulling off dead petals is not the same as proper deadheading and will not encourage new flowers to grow.
What Is Deadheading and Why It Matters
Deadheading is the removal of spent flowers to promote further blooming and keep plants tidy. However, many gardeners are doing it incorrectly. In a recent TikTok video, Griffiths explained: “Pulling off dead flowers is not the same as deadheading, and won’t encourage more flowers. When you just pull off the petals, you leave behind ovules that produce the seeds.”
He added: “People make this mistake all the time.” The correct method is to snip off the entire flowerhead just above a leaf or new bud using secateurs. This diverts the plant's energy from seed production to creating new buds and blooms.
How to Deadhead Properly
The Royal Horticultural Society recommends deadheading plants regularly, regardless of the season. For individual spent blooms, cut at the base of the flower where it meets the stem. For cluster flowers, follow the stem down to the next set of five leaves and cut just above them. This ensures the plant redirects energy efficiently.
Griffiths emphasized that the sooner you deadhead, the sooner new flowers appear. Spent blooms look wilted or faded, making them easy to identify. By removing them promptly, you encourage continuous flowering throughout the summer.
