Begonias are wonderful, tropical plants to grow in areas that receive a lot of shade. They produce big flowers in a range of hues from white to red so you can find a color that fits your garden designs. Begonias are easy to care for as long as they receive the right amount of sunlight, water, soil, and are grown in a suitable climate. When flowers begin to fade, begonias do well to have a little extra care—pinching or cutting off the spent blossoms, known as deadheading.
We spoke to three gardening experts about what deadheading is, when to do it, whether you can use your fingers or need scissors, and how much is too much to deadhead.
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Why Should You Deadhead Begonias?
Deadheading is the practice of removing spent flowers from a plant to help promote more growth. “Deadheading begonias is important [because] it encourages the plant to produce more blooms, helps maintain a neater appearance and helps prevent disease by removing old blooms before they rot,” says Penny Merritt-Price, Project Development Manager for Young’s Plant Farm.
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But if you don’t have the time, energy or interest in deadheading your begonias, don’t fret. Begonias will continue to bloom, even if you don’t deadhead, says Linda Vater, horticulturist and author of A Year of Garden Inspired Living and The Elegant & Edible Garden/The Garden Journal box set. “It’s more of a beauty routine than a survival tactic,” she says. Teresa Watkins, landscape designer, garden expert, and host of iHeart syndicated garden radio show and podcast, Better Lawns and Gardens, agrees and adds that it’s possible that the plants could get leggy and top-heavy.
What Are Some Signs It’s Time To Deadhead?
Like most plants, begonias will give clues when it’s time to deadhead or pinch off dead flowers. If you’re not sure, here’s what to look for. “Look for faded, browned, or papery flowers that just look ‘done, ‘” explains Vater. “Sometimes they’ll drop off on their own, but if they’re still hanging on and looking tired, go ahead and remove them.”
Another sign that it’s time to deadhead is when the plant begins to put energy into forming seeds— a signal that the plant is preparing for the next cycle, reproduction. When you begin to see seed pods developing, snipping back the seed pods and any spent flowers will help the plant redirect its energy, says Vater.
When Do You Need To Deadhead?
The plant will give signs when you need to deadhead—when you see dead or spent flowers. “The best time to deadhead is when the flowers begin to fade,” says Merritt-Price.” Deadheading isn’t something you do once in the growing season, but rather something that needs to be done periodically through the blooming season. “It’s important to continue deadheading throughout the growing season to get as much enjoyment from your plants as possible,” says Merritt-Price. So, how often should you check for spent flowers? “On a weekly basis, look over your begonias to see which plants have new blooms, and if there are any dead blooms,” says Watkins.
How Do You Deadhead Begonias?
Deadheading begonias can be done by pinching off the spent flowers or using scissors or garden shears. Make sure the plant is dry before you begin to deadhead as a wet stem or flower petals could lead to rot or disease. “If the stem is soft and you can easily pinch it with your fingers, go for it,” says Vater. Sometimes stems can be woody or difficult to remove. In this case, Vater says, “use some small garden snips or scissors to make a clean cut.”
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Watkins recommends using sterile scissors or clippers to remove the spent flowers above the first set of leaves. “Always remove the whole flower stem, not just the petals, so you’re not leaving behind a little stub that could rot,” says Vater. Reaching for scissors may be easier, especially if you want to avoid ripping the plant or stem. “The goal is to avoid tearing, which can leave the plant open to disease,” says Vater.
How Much Should You Deadhead?
The practice is simple—snip or pinch off dead or fading flowers. But if you snip too much, you could stress out the plant. “Pinching too far down the stem may remove the new growth and bloom that is already developing,” says Merritt-Price. For successfully deadheading your begonias, Vater suggests, “Just focus on removing blooms that are clearly past their prime, and leave any new buds or developing flowers alone.” And if you want your begonias to be more dense, Watkins says, “you can cut about a third of the begonia without damaging it.”
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