How to pinch out fuchsias
Pinching out fuchsias helps create bushy growth. Find out how to do it, in our How-to guide.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
To do | yes | yes | yes |
Pinching out the soft growing tips of fuchsia plants encourages the development of bushy side shoots that will be covered in summer flowers. Ideally start pinching out in spring and continue until early summer. The first fuchsia flowers will be produced around four to six weeks after the last pinching.
You Will Need
- Fuchsia
- Scissors, floral snips or secateurs
Total time: 15 minutes
Step 1
On young fuchsia plants or rooted cuttings, allow two to three pairs of leaves to fully expand before pinching out the soft shoot tips.
Step 2
Use scissors, a knife or your finger nail to gently remove the shoot tips. Repeat the pinching two or three more times, allowing two pairs of leaves to expand fully on each of the subsequent side shoots. This may take between 10 and 20 days, depending on the speed of growth.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.