How to Deadhead Snapdragons
June 11, 2010
Supplies for the Job:
- Small pruning shears or scissors. (I’ve been using cheap scissors from the Dollar Store for several years. I like them because they’re lightweight and work well for thinner-branched plants. If the scissors break—which they never have—what’s another trip to the Dollar Store.)
- Container for trimmings.
FIRST, a few Tips for Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus):
- Snapdragons produce fewer flowers in hot temperatures.
- A plant’s goal is to reproduce; therefore, all of its energy goes into making seeds.
- If you want free snapdragons next year, let them go to seed. When the plant begins to spoil your garden’s appearance, cut the entire plant back to six inches and fertilize.
- If you’ve been to busy to tend your garden lately and suddenly notice that the snapdragon blossoms have dropped, don’t let the little green balls on the stems fool you. They’re not buds, but rather seedpods. If your snapdragons look like the photo above, it’s time to deadhead.
Follow these simple deadheading steps.
- Find the lowest seedpod on the stem.
- Look for the first set of leaves below the lowest seedpod.
- Make a slanted cut just above that first set of leaves, close to the leaf node.
- Fertilize
Deadheading snapdragons will encourage new side branches and new blossoms. But don’t expect them to look like their spring flourish. The new blossoms are usually smaller and fewer. As the new blossoms dry, continue with the above deadheading steps. Remove any dry and unsightly leaves at the bottom. Copyright © 2010 Dianne Marie Andre
Happy snipping!
In and Around the Garden 
Love how snap dragons re seed themselves. In summer I want them to keep producing flowers, so I deadhead…but sometimes I wonder if I am removing a bud or seed pod. Do the new flower buds have that hair coming been out on top, or is that a seed pod BB I should remove?
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If there’s a little thread coming out of the nub, it’s a seed pod. I cut them off, usually below, just above a new bud forming. This, and deadheading like you are doing, will promote more flower buds and keep the stem from becoming leggy.
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no help at all just got green pods no blossom or brown seeds all awful
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That is so frustrating. Without actually being on site, it’s difficult to say what could have caused this. Issues, like not getting six hours of full, direct sunlight, hot weather, and poor soil conditions can be a factor. Variety can also be a factor.
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