When May I Reduce My Easter Lily Crop?

When pruning your Easter lily plant, use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut back the foliage. Start by removing any yellow or brown leaves at the base of the plant and cut the remaining foliage to about 4-6 inches above the ground level. The best time to trim Easter lilies is after they have finished blooming, usually in late spring or early summer. Scientifically, the best time to trim Easter lilies is during their dormant period, typically in late fall or early winter.

To ensure a flourishing Easter Lily comeback, prune at the perfect post-bloom moment. Post-bloom pruning enhances future growth and plant health. Easter lilies can grow without much fuss, so the only pruning or cutback they need is to remove spent blooms and stems. Cut back the flower stalks, leaving about 6 inches of stem. New buds will form at the base of the plant and will bloom the following year. In addition to deadheading spent flowers, lilies may also need to be pruned to promote new growth and keep the plant healthy.

As the plant foliage dies back in the fall, cut the foliage back to a few inches above the ground. It is a good idea to re-mulch the base of plants in the early fall to help protect the bulbs over winter. Remove the flowers as they wither, leaving the green stems and foliage intact. By early to mid-summer, your potted Easter lily will begin to die back. At the end of the growing season, you may cut back the whole stem to soil level.

Once your lilies have stopped blooming and the leaves have started to brown, prune them once the original leaves start to brown. Mound mulch over the top of the bulb after the foliage is removed to maintain the plant’s health and appearance.

What to do when lilies have finished flowering?

After lilies have flowered, cut off the flower heads and allow the foliage to die back naturally. Avoid cutting the stem back until it becomes hollow and brown, as this will feed the bulb for next year’s flowering. Leave the bulbs in the ground or pots, as they prefer a cold dormant phase during winter. Ensure they have plenty of drainage to prevent waterlogging and rot. Tilt the pots or place them under shelter to prevent waterlogging. After a few years, divide the bulbs and replant them all.

What to do with Easter lilies when they’re done blooming?

After the Easter Lily has finished flowering, it is important to remove the stem and leaves to allow the bulb to restore its energy. This process may take three to six months. Once frost has passed, the plant can be placed in the garden, with about half of these bulbs potentially reblooming in the winter. The variety grown for Easter gift plants is not extremely hardy.

During summer, the leaves will mature and turn yellow, and the bulb needs to rest. To keep the plant as a pot plant, dig it out of the ground and store it in a cool, dark, dry location until early winter. Replant it in a bright, sunny window and it may return to bloom next spring.

As with many gift plants, it is recommended to discard the plant after its beauty has passed and hope for another one as a gift for another holiday.

How do you save Easter lilies for next year?

To save your Easter lily, place it in a sunny window after flowering, water it when needed, and fertilize it once every two weeks. Plant it outdoors in May in a well-drained, sunny site, placing the bulb about 6 inches deep. Dead growth will die back within weeks, so remove it at ground level. New growth usually emerges by summer, with a second bloom in September. Easter lilies are not reliably winter hardy in Iowa, but they can survive and bloom in the garden for a few years if heavily mulched in fall. Remove the mulch in spring.

Will Easter lilies bloom more than once?

To grow Easter lily bulbs, wait until frost has passed, plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and water well. Apply water-soluble, all-purpose garden fertilizer and apply organic mulch around the plant’s base. Allow the leaves to die back in late autumn, and the bulb may “rise from the dead” for a second blooming period before the fall. Cut spent stems in late autumn and wait for the leaves to die back completely before giving the lily a fall clean-up.

Be patient, as many Easter lily bulbs are generally winter-hardy to zone 5, so with a generous layer of mulch, these cultivars should survive winters in the Chicagoland area. When the bulb pokes its shoots out to greet you next year, welcome it back with another dose of all-purpose garden fertilizer. Your bulb will happily join you again for another year of beautiful, trumpet-shaped blooms. Visit our nursery locations in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville to pick up an Easter lily of your own.

Do Easter lilies bloom more than once?

In October, the Easter lilies will undergo a period of regrowth and subsequent blooming, occurring in late April. It is recommended that fertilization occur during this period to enhance the likelihood of winter survival and subsequent annual flowering, thereby ensuring a productive growing season.

How far down do I cut my Easter lilies?

Growing Easter lilies in the garden is a great way to preserve these plants after they fade. Cut the stem off when they begin to die back, stop watering, and allow the soil to dry. Store the bulb in a cool, dry place until fall. Lilies require well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Plant the bulb to the same depth as in the pot, using a stake to prevent flopping over. If they re-bloom, wait until early summer, as they will return to their normal blooming time. Keep Easter lilies away from pets as they are poisonous to cats, including hybrids like Asiatic, Daylily, Japanese Show Lily, Tiger, Rubrum, Stargazer, and Wood.

What month do you cut back lilies?

Prune lilies in the fall or early spring to remove spent foliage, wait until the foliage turns brown and limp, and cut all top growth to the ground. Pruning too early can prevent the bulb from storing enough energy for winter. Deadhead lilies after they have finished blooming to conserve energy and keep the plant looking its best. This also helps reduce the risk of disease by removing old growth that can harbor disease. By performing these simple tasks, you can help your lily grow, flourish, and produce more blooms.

Should Easter lilies be cut back after blooming?

Post-bloom is a crucial time for your Easter Lily to prepare for future growth. It’s not just about aesthetics; pruning is a strategic retreat, pulling back to come back stronger. Identifying pruning zones is essential for the plant’s well-being. Focus on removing spent blooms, brown foliage, and yellow anthers to maintain vitality and appearance. Visual cues like withering petals, sagging stalks, or browning edges are clear indicators that it’s time to trim. Remember, pruning is not just about aesthetics; it’s about pulling back to come back stronger.

Can I cut my lilies to the ground?

Lilies should be tied together, pruned back to ground level when brown and brittle, and clearly marked to indicate their location. This is to prevent the inadvertent planting of other species in the same spot. It is recommended that they be lifted, divided, and replanted every four years.

Do Easter lilies bloom more than once a season?

Easter lilies are relatively straightforward to maintain, requiring only regular watering and the maintenance of evenly moist soil. The plant may bloom twice a year, typically in October or again in June of the following year. It is essential to maintain optimal soil moisture and implement regular watering to ensure optimal growth.

What do I do with my lilies when they have finished flowering?

After lilies have flowered, cut off the flower heads and allow the foliage to die back naturally. Avoid cutting the stem back until it becomes hollow and brown, as this will feed the bulb for next year’s flowering. Leave the bulbs in the ground or pots, as they prefer a cold dormant phase during winter. Ensure they have plenty of drainage to prevent waterlogging and rot. Tilt the pots or place them under shelter to prevent waterlogging. After a few years, divide the bulbs and replant them all.