Deadheading guide
How to deadhead the blues little bluestem
How to deadhead the blues little bluestem
Follow the spent bloom down to the first set of healthy leaves or a visible side bud, and cut just above it. Cutting only the petals off leaves the developing seedpod behind, which defeats the point.
The mistake to avoid
Snipping just the faded petals and leaving the swollen green seedpod below. The plant still thinks it has set seed, so the blues little bluestem slows down anyway.
More the blues little bluestem care
- Deadheading little bluestem — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Deadheading the blues little bluestem — our other guide for the same plant
- Full the blues little bluestem care guide
- How to prune the blues little bluestem
- How to propagate the blues little bluestem
- Growing the blues little bluestem in a pot
- How to overwinter the blues little bluestem
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Deadheading the blues little bluestem — FAQ
Should I deadhead the blues little bluestem?
Deadheading the blues little bluestem genuinely pays off. Once a flower fades the plant starts pouring energy into setting seed, and removing it redirects that energy straight back into producing more buds. Keep on top of it through the season and you get a noticeably longer, heavier display; stop, and flowering tails off as the plant decides its job is done.
How do you deadhead the blues little bluestem?
Follow the spent bloom down to the first set of healthy leaves or a visible side bud, and cut just above it. Cutting only the petals off leaves the developing seedpod behind, which defeats the point.
How often should I deadhead the blues little bluestem?
Every few days to weekly through the flowering season — the more regularly, the better the repeat.
What is the most common deadheading mistake with the blues little bluestem?
Snipping just the faded petals and leaving the swollen green seedpod below. The plant still thinks it has set seed, so the blues little bluestem slows down anyway.