• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Pinching Flowers and Houseplants

Give ‘em a pinch and make them grow fuller and more compact. You may have received this gardening advice but were a bit uncertain about where and how to make the cut on your plant.

Pinching simply means to remove part of the plant.  This term is usually used with flowers and houseplants.  Some gardeners pinch with their fingers but I prefer sharp garden scissors or hand pruners.

A soft pinch removes just the upper most portion of the stem with developing leaves and the stem tip.  A hard pinch removes the tip and several inches of the leafy stem.

Removing a small or large portion of the growing tip encourages the plant to form more branches and compact growth.

Make your cut just above a set of leaves so the plant remains relatively attractive while you wait for new leaves and stems to grow.  Plus leaving stubs can create entryways for insects and disease.

A bit more information: Pinching just the outer stems on late season perennials can provide multiple benefits.  The pinched stems are shorter, help support the taller stems in the center and bloom a bit later. 

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now

April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW