The removal of spent flowers from a plant to encourage additional blooming, improve appearance, or reduce seed production.
After a flower finishes blooming, many plants begin directing resources toward producing seeds. By removing the faded flower, gardeners can encourage some plants to continue producing new blooms instead.
Deadheading also keeps plants looking tidy by removing wilted or dried flowers. While not every plant responds by producing more flowers, many popular annuals, perennials, and roses bloom longer when deadheaded regularly.
The technique is simple and usually involves pinching or cutting off the old flower before seeds develop.
Deadheading is one of the easiest ways to extend flowering on many garden plants. Regular removal of spent blooms can improve the appearance of the garden, encourage additional flowers, and help prevent unwanted self-seeding in some species.