Key Points
Deadheading coneflowers throughout the summer helps promote continuous blooming by pushing the plant to produce more flowers.You can also leave dead flowers on the plant to feed birds or allow natural reseeding.Coneflowers may droop early or die due to a lack of sunlight, pests, or overwatering.
If you’ve been noticing droopy or dead coneflowers, you may be wondering if you should leave them alone or cut them off. We’re sharing everything you need to know when it comes to dealing with dead coneflowers in the garden, whether it’s the reasons they may have wilted or how to properly cut them off.
Read on to find out how to keep abundant blooms flowing throughout your garden.
Should You Cut Coneflowers If the Flowers Die?
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Cutting your coneflowers after the flowers have died will encourage the plant to produce more blooms.
“The plant’s purpose is to reproduce by seed, and if you remove spent flowers, the plant has to produce more flowers and seeds,” Kathi Rodgers, the owner of Oak Hill Homestead, says. “Removing old, dead blossoms will keep your plants blooming all summer long.”
However, it’s completely up to the gardener’s discretion since leaving the seeds alone on the heads can provide food for birds, allow the plant to self-sow so you get more plants for free, or you can also harvest the seeds for future use, Lorraine Ballato, an expert horticulturist, explains.
Rodgers agrees and explains how coneflowers are often grown in wildlife gardens, which makes them valuable for their seed heads to attract and feed birds.
For the best of both worlds, Rodgers recommends deadheading coneflowers over the summer for flowers that bloom continuously. Then, leave the flowers uncut at the end of the season to produce seeds that will benefit birds over the fall and winter.
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Why Your Coneflowers Died
Although coneflowers have a natural cycle of their own, and it’s normal for them to die after they’ve bloomed, there could be several reasons why they die prematurely.
Lack of sunlight: Coneflowers need a bright and sunny spot to properly receive at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day to thrive. If they’re planted in a shadier spot, it may cause them to flop over time.
Pests like Japanese beetles or aphids: If you notice any beetles, remove them with your hands and place them into a jar of a solution of water and dish soap to drown them. On the other hand, if you notice an influx of ants or a sticky, clear substance on your plant, you may be dealing with an aphid infestation. Dip a cotton swab into some rubbing alcohol and then brush it across any infected leaves to kill the aphids.
Overwatering: Giving your coneflowers too much water can lead to root rot. It’s crucial to water young plants daily and then gradually reduce watering for mature plants.
Prevent Overcrowding
Since coneflowers are perennial plants, Rodgers suggests dividing them every three to four years to prevent overcrowding.
How to Cut Coneflowers
When it comes to cutting coneflowers, start with clean, sharp snips or scissors and cut just above the first set of leaves, Rodgers says. Then, cut the plant back to keep it compact and prevent it from becoming leggy over the summer season.
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