How to Dead Head Geraniums

Geranium (Pelargonium) is a versatile plant that can be planted in a flower bed, patio container or hanging basket, depending on the variety. The popular summer bloomer is available in nearly every color of the rainbow, including white, pale pink, coral, orange, red and purple. To keep the plant blooming all summer, it’s crucial that the blooms be deadheaded (pinched off) regularly. Without deadheading, the blooms will expend their energy going to seed and blooming will decrease. Spend a few minutes every week taking care of your geraniums and you’ll be rewarded with bright, healthy blooms all summer long.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Pruners or kitchen shears (optional)

1. Deadhead geraniums whenever a bloom begins to wilt. Check the plant at least once a week so that the blooms won’t be allowed to go to seed.
2. Deadhead by using a pair of pruners or your finger tips. To deadhead a bloom, pinch the bloom and the long stem where the stem joins another stem, bud or leaf. Pruning in this matter will eliminate unsightly stubs.
3. Dispose of the deadheaded blooms by tossing them on your compost pile. If the geranium shows any signs of insect damage, bacteria or disease, throw the wilted blooms in the trash so the problem won’t be transmitted to other plants.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use pruners or kitchen shears to deadhead the geraniums, clean them between plants by wiping them with a solution of one part household bleach to 10 parts water. The bleach solution will prevent bacteria from being passed between plants. Leave a few geranium blooms on the plant at the end of the blooming season if you intend to harvests seeds for planting later.