Do I need to deadhead my treasure flower?

Yes, removing spent flowers encourages the plant to put energy into producing new buds instead of seeds.

Will it bloom in the shade?

No, treasure flowers will stay closed and eventually stop producing buds if they do not get full sun.

Why is my treasure flower not blooming? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the location for at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Look for nearby plants that might be shading your treasure flower.
Inspect the soil for signs of over-fertilization.

Likely causes

Insufficient Sunlight
Most likely
How to tell: The plant looks stretched out or spindly rather than compact. It is not getting the 6 to 8 hours of direct sun it needs daily.
What to do: Move the pot to a spot that gets full, unobstructed sun. If it is in the ground, ensure no nearby shrubs or trees are casting shade on it.
Excessive Fertilizer
Possible
How to tell: The plant has lush, dark green foliage but zero flowers. Too much nitrogen encourages leaf growth at the expense of blooms.
What to do: Stop all fertilizing for the rest of the season. Switch to a low-nitrogen, bloom-boosting fertilizer only if the soil is extremely poor.

Other plants that won't flower

Find out what's wrong with your treasure flower

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the plant is in full sun and still not blooming by mid-summer, it may be stressed by poor drainage or root issues.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your treasure flower in the sunniest spot in your garden and avoid using high-nitrogen lawn fertilizers nearby.

Treasure flower: not flowering? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your treasure flower and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Do I need to deadhead my treasure flower?: Yes, removing spent flowers encourages the plant to put energy into producing new buds instead of seeds.
Will it bloom in the shade?: No, treasure flowers will stay closed and eventually stop producing buds if they do not get full sun.

Why is my treasure flower not blooming?