How To Deadhead Agapanthus (Inc. Video) | Horticulture.co.uk (2024)

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How To Deadhead Agapanthus (Inc. Video) | Horticulture.co.uk? ›

Agapanthus thrives with consistent watering but requires exceptionally well-drained soil to avoid rot. Along with steady water, using an organic, balanced fertilizer keeps plants blooming consistently through summer into early fall. Always follow fertilizer instructions precisely.

Agapanthus thrives with consistent watering but requires exceptionally well-drained soil to avoid rot. Along with steady water, using an organic, balanced fertilizer keeps plants blooming consistently through summer into early fall. Always follow fertilizer instructions precisely.

This can be done at any time, though it's best to remove dead heads before they go to seed, as soon as the flowers die in spring, summer or early to late autumn. Deadheading keeps the plants from spending energy on producing seeds and helps the plant produce extra blooms.

Agapanthus should be pruned after they finish blooming. This typically occurs in late summer or early Autumn, when the flowers begin to fade. They should be pruned back to the foliage, cutting the flower stalks down to the base. This will encourage new growth and promote better blooming the following year.

If the weather is turning cold you can collect seed prematurely and store the whole seedhead in a paper bag, but it's preferable to let the seed ripen on the plant. They are easy to grow, preferably sown fresh and pricked out individually next spring. With a bit of luck they should come to flower the following season.

Indeed, the seed pods formed after flowering are a waste of effort on the part of the agapanthus plants. On the other hand, if you like the way the old flower heads look, you can leave them until they turn brown and cut them off then. Cut the flower stalk back to the point where it emerges from the foliage.

Trimming Agapanthus Plants: Deadheading

Deadheading – which involves simply removing blooms as soon as they wilt – keeps the plant neat and tidy throughout spring and summer. More importantly, it allows the plant to produce more blooms.

Grow Agapanthus as a houseplant in bright light and average temperatures. Keep well watered when growing, but allow it to dry out in winter. This plant blooms best when grown in full sun and pot-bound, so don't divide or replant until the plant is pushing out of its pot.

To bloom regularly, fertilize agapanthus twice a year, either after blooming, in early fall (September in the Upstate, October in the Lowcountry), or in early spring (early March in the Lowcountry and April Upstate). A low-nitrogen, complete fertilizer that includes phosphorus is best, such as 5-10-15 or 8-8-8.

Does agapanthus spread? ›

Agapanthus is propagated in two ways — by seed or by division of the clump. Once established, agapanthus can spread slowly by seed. Unlike berry-producing weedy plants, such as privet or cotoneaster, agapanthus is not spread by birds. Instead, seeds fall around the clump and have a tendency to drift downhill.

If the clump is ancient and far too large to handle easily a spade can be used to split it up for replanting elsewhere. You may chop through a few bulbs but there will be more than enough to go round. Ideally you should split and divide your agapanthus every four to six years.

Regular Care for Agapanthus in Pots

Water your potted agapanthus regularly, especially during dry periods. Deadhead spent flowers at the base to encourage further blooming and pick off yellow leaves at the base regularly to keep the plant looking its best.

“Once all the flowers have dropped their flower petals, it is a good idea to deadhead the stem, by cutting of the flower spike at the base, just above the stem leaves. Keep in mind that the leaves are the most important plant component to allow the lily to come back next year and flower even more than the year before.