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How to Deadhead Snapdragons: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Snapdragons are short-lived perennials that repeat blooms from spring to fall with large flowers but soon wither in summer due to poor grooming.

Deadhead Snapdragons after every bloom to encourage fuller or new growth. Start with identifying faded flowers and snip them off below the flower stem and above a set of healthy leaves, followed by monitoring the leaf nodes to witness a sign of new growth.

Do you know Snapdragons allowed to blossom uninterrupted will eventually begin forming seeds, which means an abrupt end to the flowering seasons?

Discover proven tips for deadheading Snapdragons to witness healthy and fuller growth.

Do Snapdragons Need Deadheading?

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum), or dragon or dog flowers, are perennials commonly found in many homes and gardens.

The flowers closely resemble the face of a dragon opening and closing when laterally squeezed, giving it its name, Snapdragons.

These unique flowers bloom throughout spring until fall, but Snapdragon blossoms will witness a heyday before dropping like any other flowering species, requiring regular pruning.

It is common to witness summer blossoms dropping during extreme heat.

However, with a timely pruning of flowers, you can rebloom the buds when least expected and make the growth even more vigorous.

Deadheading Snapdragon will remove the elderflowers to give way for new and fuller growth and improve the plant’s overall shape!

It will help keep your Snapdragons blooming throughout the summer and prevent the plant from going to seed, which means no more blossoms.

Snapdragon plants having pink flowers
You can deadhead Snapdragon to promote fuller growth.

There are many more benefits to deadheading the Snapdragons.

  • It helps conserve energy, especially to rebloom after a long blooming period.
  • It keeps the plant short and well-groomed to maintain its ornamental appearance.
  • When you deadhead, the nutrients and energy used to produce seeds supply the formation of new blooms.
  • Removing leggy growth will encourage a fuller and more vigorous stem with bushier foliage.

Although you can choose not to deadhead your Snapdragon regularly, remember the number of flowers will dry out with each subsequent bloom.

When to Deadhead Snapdragons?

Deadheading Snapdragons can be done anytime between spring and fall; however, you should know the correct time to carry it out.

On the other hand, deadheading the Snapdragon helps them keep blooming profusely throughout the season and prevents seed production.

The deadheading may become more important in summer when Snapdragon becomes profusely blooming, where you would be required to deadhead them almost twice a week.

Remember this tell-tale sign that may tell it is time for deadheading your Snapdragons.

  • Snapdragons flower stalks petals begin to wither and die.
  • The wilting of the flower is accompanied by browning or darkening.
  • Lastly, the seed pod may start appearing just below decayed and crispy flowers.

However, avoid deadheading Snapdragon flowers when buds are yet to grow fully.

How to Deadhead Snapdragons?

Start with assembling the right tools before starting to deadhead. Isopropyl Alcohol, Pruning shears, and Garden masks are some equipment used during the deadhead.

The best time to start deadheading is in the morning when the blooms are gradually opening.

  • Start sterilizing the tools by dipping the pruning shear or scissor in a mix of nine parts water and one part isopropyl alcohol.
  • Next, closely examine the plant for spent flowers with browning or wilted and crispy texture, browning leaf, and leggy stem growth, including one with the seed pod.
  • Gently cut off the stalk at the base where the blossoms emerge from the main stem.
  • Similarly, cut away spent leaves by snipping at the base emerging from the main stem.
  • Cut just below the bottom node for leggy stem growth, leaving only about half an inch of stem.
  • Always sterilize the tool with alcohol at intervals to prevent accidentally transferring bacteria.
  • Carefully dispose of the residue in a trash bag and dispose of it away from the houseplants.
Snapdragon plant with red flowers
Deadhead Snapdragons, from time to time, maintain their vigorous growth.

Voila! Your Snapdragons are finally trimmed to bounce back on new and healthier growth.

Helpful Tips for Deadheading Snapdragons

Deadheading will encourage your Snapdragons to produce more flowers. 

Remember these valuable tips to deadhead your Snapdragons properly.

  • If you notice significant spent flowers and foliage on a single stem, cutting away an entire branch may save you a lot of time.
  • Encourage pinching the Snapdragon stem early to encourage branching, producing more flowers.  Pinch the plants if they are big enough, 2 to 4 inches tall.
  • The seeds will begin forming once the blossoms are at the peak, where the plant will put its energy towards seed formation but blossoms.
  • It would be essential to cut away budding seed pods as soon as you notice them to prevent the risk of seed proliferation.
  • You can allow a few stalks to produce seed pods so you can scatter them in your garden next year, but ensure to cut the stem away afterward.

Care Tips for Snapdragon After Deadheading

Remember, every plant needs utmost care and love after deadheading to prevent the risk of deadheading stress.

You heard it right! Excessive deadheading may push back growth.

Additionally, preventing the seeds of expensive Snapdragons will not be wise.

Therefore, you should ensure to provide comprehensive aftercare for better growth.

  • Thoroughly water the Snapdragons after every pruning to boost the root growth.
  • Avoid overhead watering to prevent wetting the flowers and foliage.
  • Apply fungicide paste on cut stem ends to reduce the risk of fungal infection.
  • Otherwise, rub the plant with Neem Oil several times throughout the growing season to prevent fungal and pest infestations.
  • Avoid applying Nitrogen-rich fertilizer as the plant may struggle to take in the nutrient. Instead, use Phosphoric fertilizer to boost flower production.
  • Provide them with at least six hours of full sun to boost the blooming process.
  • Ensure a humidity level of around 40% to prevent dry air around the plant.
  • Moreover, provide a mix of cool and warm temperatures between 40-70°F.

From Editorial Team

Conclusion!

Although Snapdragons are easy-growing species, they are pretty slow to attain bushier growth.

Therefore, deadheading the flower regularly may be a great idea to induce bushier and healthier growth.

While deadheading, look after the scattering of seeds all over the ground and produce undesired plants. 

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