While deadheading is not an essential task, it is recommended to deadhead black eyed Susans to give yourself the longest blooming period possible. Once a bloom has started fading, cut the stem back to just above a leaf node. Avoid the deadheading mistake of cutting too far down a stem, as this can leave a bare stem with no foliage or blooms. Regularly removing faded blooms will tidy the plant, stop it seeding around the yard, and ensure the energy goes back into producing new flowers.