The lily (Lilium) is a highly regarded flowering perennial known for its striking, often fragrant, trumpet- or star-shaped blossoms. The question of whether a lily will bloom a second time in the same season depends entirely on the specific variety and the horticultural practices employed after the initial flowering. Most true lilies are classified as sequential bloomers, meaning they produce a single, extended period of flowers from one bulb each year.
Varieties That Repeat Bloom
Most true lilies (Lilium) bloom just once per growing season, concentrating energy into a single display. They flower sequentially on the stalk, with individual buds opening over several weeks before the cycle concludes. Once the main stem finishes blooming, that bulb will not produce a second flower stalk until the following year.
Confusion about reblooming often stems from hybrids that have an extended or staggered flowering season. For example, Orienpet hybrids (a cross between Oriental and Trumpet lilies) can have a long flowering period, making it appear as if they are reblooming. Planting a variety of lilies, such as early Asiatic, mid-season Trumpet, and late Oriental types, will also create a continuous bloom effect across the summer.
True lilies are distinct from daylilies (Hemerocallis), which are often mistakenly called lilies and contain many varieties bred to rebloom. While some Lilium cultivars may produce a small secondary flush of blooms in ideal conditions, this is an exception rather than the rule. The focus for true lilies should be on securing a robust bloom for the next season.
The Role of Deadheading
Deadheading is the practice of removing spent flowers, which serves an important function in lily care. Once a flower fades, a seed pod begins to form, requiring a significant amount of the plant’s stored energy. Removing the spent flower head prevents the plant from diverting resources toward seed production.
This redirection of energy allows the lily to focus on storing carbohydrates in its underground bulb. While deadheading rarely forces a second bloom in a non-reblooming variety, it maximizes the energy available for the bulb to grow larger. A larger, healthier bulb is the most important factor in ensuring a vigorous and abundant bloom the subsequent year.
To deadhead correctly, snap or snip off the entire flower head, including the swollen ovary, but leave the rest of the flower stem and all foliage intact. The green leaves are the plant’s food factories, and cutting them off prematurely will starve the bulb. Removing the entire stalk too early severely limits the bulb’s ability to recharge for the next growing cycle.
Caring for Lilies After Flowering
The care provided immediately after flowering is the most important factor in guaranteeing a successful bloom the following year. The primary goal during this post-bloom phase is to allow the leaves to continue photosynthesis, which nourishes and recharges the bulb. The entire green stalk and its foliage must remain untouched until it naturally begins to yellow or brown in late autumn.
Prematurely cutting back green foliage prevents the lily from storing carbohydrates, leading to smaller, weaker bulbs and fewer flowers the next season. This common mistake causes lilies to decline over time instead of multiplying. The bulb needs this entire period to accumulate energy to survive dormancy and initiate the formation of next year’s flower buds.
Continued watering is necessary after flowering to support the active photosynthesis occurring in the leaves. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged, as excess moisture can lead to bulb rot. This period is also the appropriate time for a final application of fertilizer to replenish nutrients used during the flowering process.
A post-bloom fertilizer should be low in nitrogen and higher in potassium and phosphorus, such as a 5-10-10 or 3-5-5 formula. Nitrogen encourages leaf growth, which is no longer necessary. Phosphorus supports root and bulb health, and potassium aids in overall plant vigor and disease resistance. Applying this feed helps solidify energy reserves, ensuring the lily bulb is prepared for winter dormancy and its return next summer.