When you learn how to deadhead dahlias correctly, you remove the flower heads after they bloom. Deadheading is done to prevent the Dahlia flowers from transitioning into seeds. This, in turn, spurs the plant to produce more flowers.
To do this correctly, wait until the ray florets (petals) have fallen and remove the spent flowers. If you practice consistent deadheading, you can enjoy bright blooms throughout the spring and summer and into the fall.

This article shares tips to help you successfully deadhead your dahlias. Read on to learn more.
How Do You Deadhead Dahlias?
Here are the steps to follow when deadheading dahlias:
Examine Your Plants Regularly And Identify Spent Blooms.
It’s important to look at your plants closely every day or two because you’ll need to know where the blooms have been. Once the bloom is spent and the petals have fallen off, the remaining stub or calyx can look quite like a new flower bud.
If you look at your plants frequently, you will better distinguish calyxes from buds. You don’t want to clip off the new flower buds.
If you are unsure, examine the item in question carefully. A calyx typically has a cone-shaped, pointed tip. A new bud generally is more rounded and sort of flat.
Prune Away The Spent Flowers Cleanly And Thoroughly
Use a sharp, sterilized cutting implement to cut back the stem supporting the calyx. Cut right at the point where the flower’s stem joins the larger main stem.
Be careful not to cut away any small buds that may be located at this point. Once you’ve cut away the stem of the spent bloom, these small, new buds will have more energy to grow and bloom.
Keep an eye on them; you will see new flowers within a couple of weeks.
Will Deadheaded Dahlias Always Have A Long Bloom Time?
It’s important to understand that deadheading alone will not necessarily extend your plants’ bloom time. You must also provide good, consistent care to keep your dahlias blooming. This involves regular watering, seasonal mulching, consistent feeding, and deadheading.
To grow well, Dahlias must have the following:
- Full sun: Plant your Dahlias in a sheltered setting where they receive at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
- Staking: Dahlias can grow tall and may topple in the wind. Sturdy staking will prevent this problem.
- Good drainage: Dahlias like light, airy, well-draining soil that has been well amended with organic matter.
- Consistent moisture: Keep your Dahlias well-watered during spring and summer. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Mulch well in the spring to help retain moisture in the soil.
- Monthly feeding: Use a low nitrogen fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 5-20-20 or 5-10-10.
- Protection from cold: If you live in a cold climate, lift and divide the tubers late in the fall and package them carefully for winter storage in a cool, dry setting, such as a basement.
Good Care Produces Masses Of Dahlia Blooms
You can keep your Dahlias neat and enjoy beautiful blooms from early spring to the first frost of autumn with proper care and maintenance and a regular, consistent deadheading regimen.
Follow the tips presented here to get the greatest number of blooms from your Dahlias.