Disclosed are a method and a device for blow forming containers (2). A parison (1) is stretched by means of a stretching rod (11) within a blow mold and molded into the container (2) by applying blow pressure following thermal conditioning. Pressurized gas is introduced into the container (2) through the stretching rod (11). The pressurized gas is laterally introduced from a pressure chamber into an interior space of the stretching rod (11). The stretching rod comprises at least one passage opening (53) between a tip (51) facing the blow mold and an end (52) of the stretching rod, which faces away from the blow mold. Said passage opening (53) extends into the interior space of the rod so as to deliver the pressurized gas.