Deadheading is a common garden maintenance task that involves removing spent flowers from a plant. For lilies, this process ensures the long-term health and vigor of the bulbs. Proper deadheading redirects the plant’s focus away from reproduction and toward energy storage, preparing the plant for successful blooming next year.
Why Deadheading Lilies Matters
Deadheading lilies conserves the plant’s energy. If a spent flower is left on the stalk, the lily attempts to produce seeds through the development of a seed pod, which requires significant energy resources. Removing the fading flower prevents the lily from diverting energy into seed production. Resources are then channeled downward, storing carbohydrates and starches directly into the underground bulb. This increased energy reserve supports the development of stronger stems and more abundant flowers in the following growing season.
The Right Time to Deadhead
The ideal moment to deadhead a lily is immediately after the petals have faded, browned, and dropped from the stalk. Waiting until the flower is completely spent ensures the plant has reabsorbed any remaining nutrients from the bloom. Make the cut before the ovary at the base of the flower begins to swell, as swelling indicates the start of seed pod formation. Since lilies often have multiple flowers blooming in succession on a single stalk, deadheading is a continuous task throughout the flowering season.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Spent Blooms
Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to ensure a precise cut and minimize the risk of introducing disease. Locate the spent flower and trace the small stem, known as the pedicel, back to where it joins the main flowering stalk. Make your cut just beneath the faded flower head, removing only the dead bloom and the short pedicel.
Avoid removing any leaves or cutting into the main stem of the lily plant. The goal is to remove the potential for seed production while leaving all healthy, green foliage intact. For easily accessible flowers, you can simply pinch off the spent bloom with your fingers, snapping the pedicel cleanly at the joint. If all flowers on a single stalk have finished blooming, remove the entire flower spike by cutting it above the highest set of remaining leaves.
Post-Bloom Foliage Management
After the flowers have been removed, the remaining green stalk and leaves—collectively known as the foliage—must be left standing for the rest of the season. This foliage acts as the plant’s food factory through the process of photosynthesis. The leaves capture sunlight and convert that energy into the carbohydrates necessary to recharge the bulb.
Cutting the stalk down while the leaves are still green is a common mistake that starves the bulb, severely weakening the plant and potentially preventing it from flowering next year. Wait patiently for the foliage to complete its work and begin to die back naturally. Once the leaves have completely turned yellow or brown, typically in the late fall, you can safely cut the dead stalk back to about an inch above the soil line.