Pinching is a simple yet powerful gardening technique that encourages plants to grow outward instead of just upward. This practice involves removing the soft, new growth at the very tip of a stem, often called the growing tip or apical bud. This precise pruning method does not require specialized tools, making it accessible for any gardener seeking robust and visually appealing plants. Removing this small section signals a biological change that leads to a fuller, more branched structure and a significantly higher number of potential bloom sites.
Why Pinching Promotes Fuller Growth
The remarkable change in growth pattern after pinching is rooted in a natural plant phenomenon called apical dominance. Plants typically prioritize vertical growth, a process controlled by a growth hormone known as auxin. This hormone is primarily produced in the plant’s topmost growing point, the apical bud, and its presence actively suppresses the development of side shoots, or lateral buds, further down the stem.
When the apical bud is removed, the main source of auxin is eliminated, causing the concentration of the hormone to drop quickly. This reduction in growth-inhibiting signals immediately awakens the dormant lateral buds located along the stem. The plant’s energy and resources are then redirected into these side buds, prompting them to grow outward and develop into new, vigorous stems. This redirection transforms a single, tall stalk into a multi-stemmed, bushy plant, which ultimately provides far more surfaces for flowers to form.
Step-by-Step Pinching Technique
The process of pinching is straightforward, but precision is necessary to ensure a healthy response from the plant. You can use your thumb and forefinger to cleanly snap off the tender growth, which is where the term “pinching” originates. For stems that are slightly tougher or for gardeners who prefer a cleaner cut, small, sharp snips or scissors are effective tools.
Whether using your fingers or a tool, the target is the same: the growing tip and the first few sets of small leaves below it. You should aim to make the cut or pinch directly above a node, which is the point on the stem where a set of leaves is attached. Leaving a small, clean piece of stem just above the node ensures the newly awakened lateral buds have a protective layer of tissue and space to begin growing.
It is important to sanitize any cutting tools, such as snips, with rubbing alcohol or a weak bleach solution before and between working on different plants. This practice prevents the accidental transfer of plant diseases. The amount of stem to remove is typically the top one to three inches of soft growth, which is enough to interrupt the flow of the growth hormone.
Optimal Timing and Plant Examples
Pinching is most effective when performed early in the plant’s life cycle, typically when the young plant has developed at least three to five sets of true leaves. This timing allows the plant to establish a strong root system while still providing enough time for the new side branches to mature and produce blooms during the main growing season. Pinching should generally be completed before the plant sets its first flower buds, as this maximizes the vegetative growth phase.
Many common garden flowers and herbs benefit significantly from this technique. Herbs like Basil also respond well, becoming much bushier after the central stem is removed. Conversely, plants with a single, central stalk that do not naturally branch, such as sunflowers, dill, or foxglove, should not be pinched.
Plants That Benefit From Pinching
- Zinnias
- Petunias
- Cosmos
- Marigolds
- Dahlias