In The Fall, How Far Down Do You Cut Lilies?

Daylilies can be cut back in the fall once the leaves are dormant, as advised by Catherine Moravec, Horticulturist with Colorado Yard Care. To prune lilies in the fall, start pruning daily and deadheading your plant as the flowers brown, dry up, and die away. If you want to put the plant back entirely, wait until the first frost. The best time to trim lilies is in late fall or early spring, when they are dormant, as it allows them to conserve energy and prepare for winter.

The arrival of frost in fall marks the end of the plant’s growing season, and at this time, the foliage will die back to the ground naturally. Trim all dead plant matter and dispose of it. Lilies should be cut down in late summer or early fall, after the blooms have faded and before the first frost, to give the plant time to regrow and prepare for winter. With proper care, lilies will come back.

To prune lilies in the fall or early spring, remove spent foliage, wait until the foliage has completely turned brown and limp, and then cut all top growth to the ground. Daylilies only need to be cut back once a year, but there are only two times when it is okay to prune the plants. The best time to prune lilies is in the spring or fall, depending on the plant’s size and needs.

When pruning lilies, start by cutting the stem down to about 4-6 inches from the soil line, remove any dead or damaged leaves, stems, or flowers, and cut off any flowers that have already bloomed. Trim the plant down to about six or eight inches from the soil, leaving some stems to help hold leaves or other mulch that can insulate. If you do not want your plant to produce seeds, trim the stalk down, leaving three to four inches above the ground to prevent inviting pests.