If you have surrendered to beauty and elegance of lilies In your garden or on your terrace, you've probably wondered what to do once the spectacular blooming season ends to keep the plant healthy, strong, and able to flourish year after year. Lilies, with their wide range of colors and shapes—from the classic trumpet flower to cup-shaped or turban-shaped varieties—bring life to any green space during spring and summer. But caring for them after blooming makes the difference between a plant fertile and colorful each season or a bulb that declines over time.
How many times do lilies bloom and when?
The flowering season of lilies extends from spring to late summer, Approximately between the months of May and September, although this may vary depending on the species and local climate. During this period, each lily bulb develops several stems and buds, producing flowers that can remain open for weeks or even months. However, Each individual flower usually lasts between 2 and 7 days, depending on the variety and ambient temperature, but the plant continues to renew flowers throughout the season until its cycle is exhausted.
Lilies only bloom once a season, That is, each bulb produces flowers only during a specific period of the year. When flowering ends, the bulb enters a dormant phase and prepares for the next annual cycle. If you properly care for your lily after flowering, it will remain vigorous and bloom again the following season.
This characteristic differentiates them from other perennial plants that can flower several times a year. Therefore, Post-flowering management is essential to ensure new and abundant future blooms.
What to do with lilies after blooming?
When your lilies have finished their flowering period, it is essential to intervene to protect the health of the bulb, encourage dormancy, and prepare the plant for the following season. Here's a detailed process with the main care options:
- Removing wilted flowers: As soon as you notice flowers that have wilted, cut them without waiting for them to dry completely. This prevents the plant from invests energy in seed production, promoting the accumulation of nutrients in the bulb. The cut should be made just below the flower with clean, disinfected pruning shears.
- Pruning the stems: Once all the flowers have faded and no buds remain, you can cut the stems back to about 4-5 cm above the base. Make a clean crosswise cut, without tearing the tissue. This stimulates the appearance of lateral shoots robust and better development for the next season.
- Keep the green leaves: Don't remove healthy green leaves after flowering. It's essential to leave them intact until they begin to yellow and dry out, as during this period the leaves continue to photosynthesize, accumulating reserves that the bulb will need during its rest.
- Post-flowering fertilization: You can apply an organic or specific fertilizer for bulbs once the withered flowers have been removed, helping to store nutrients that will benefit the next bloom.
Options after flowering: leave or remove the bulbs?
After flowering and once the leaves begin to dry, you can choose between two main preservation methods:
Remove the lily bulbs from the substrate
- Carefully pull out the bulbs When the leaves are completely dry, it's time to check the condition of the bulbs: those that are soft, have spots, or deteriorate should be discarded.
- Bulb division: If you notice that the main bulb has produced offshoots (secondary bulbs), separate them with a sharp, clean tool. This helps each plant grow vigorously and allows you to propagate your lilies.
- Drying: Leave the bulbs in a ventilated, shaded, and dry place for 3 to 7 days. Drying is essential to prevent rot. If stored fresh, they may develop fungus or rot.
- Storage: Store bulbs in a breathable container (such as a cardboard box or a glass jar covered with fabric) in a dry, well-ventilated, and dark place until the next planting season. You can also learn about How to care for potted lilies.
- Plantation: Replant the bulbs in the appropriate substrate in late winter or early spring, ensuring a distance of about 15-20 cm between each one to avoid competition for resources.
Leave the bulbs in the ground (in a pot or garden)
- Cut off the dry leaves and stems only when they have completely withered.
- Protect bulbs in winter: Cover the surface of the substrate with extra soil, a layer of natural mulch, dry leaves, or even a heat mat if heavy frost is expected. This will prevent frost damage and maintain constant moisture.
- Check the drainage: Lilies do not tolerate waterlogging. It is essential that the substrate has good drainage to prevent the bulbs from rotting during the cold, wet months. You can review the soil characteristics in our section on purple flowering plants.
- Keep an eye on protection when spring arrives: As temperatures rise, gradually remove the protective elements to allow the shoots to emerge unhindered.
Both methods are valid. Choosing one or the other will depend on your climate, lily type, and personal preferences. In regions with mild winters, you can leave the bulbs in the ground without any problem, while in colder climates, it's preferable to dig them up and store them.
Essential care for lilies after flowering
- Location: Lilies require plenty of light during their growing season, but in winter they can be kept in the same location if protected. Avoid sudden changes of location, especially if they are potted. For bulbous species, light is essential for the formation of nutrients in the bulb.
- Irrigation: When the plant goes dormant and there is no visible vegetation, reduce watering to a minimum or even stop it. Excess water at this stage can cause bulb rot.
- Substrate and soil: The soil should be loose, permeable, rich in organic matter, and well-drained. You can add sand and compost to improve the structure, prevent waterlogging, and provide nutrients.
- Fertilization: Fertilize with organic matter or a bulb-specific fertilizer before and after flowering to replenish nutrients. Avoid fertilizers with excess nitrogen during dormancy.
- Control of pests and diseases: Bulb rot is the lily's main enemy, caused by fungi in moist soil. If spots appear on dry leaves or softened bulbs, remove the affected area and renew the substrate if necessary. Also, watch out for slugs, snails and aphids, especially during spring and summer.
- Leaf pruning (in rhizome species): The leaves should only be pruned in autumn, shortly before the first frosts. Until then, it's best to preserve them, as they continue to nourish the rhizome. For bulbous species, remove only yellow or damaged leaves at the end of the growth cycle.
- Renew the bulbs every 3-5 years: Divide bulbs or rhizomes to prevent substrate depletion, improve aeration, and rejuvenate your plants.
- Avoid waterlogging during rest: If the lily remains in the garden, make sure the area does not become waterlogged during rainy seasons by using a sandy substrate or slightly raising the planting area.
- Natural fertilizer: Using horsetail extract or mature compost helps prevent fungal diseases and strengthens the plant's immune system.
- Species selection and location: Before planting new lilies, research the needs of your chosen variety. Some require full sun, while others prefer partial shade. Asiatic and tiger lilies, for example, grow best in full sun and cool soil, while Turk's cap lilies thrive in partial shade and calcareous soil.
- Controlled self-seeding: If you don't remove faded flowers, the lily can self-seed and spread throughout the garden, which can be advantageous or become an invasion problem if you want order.
Pests and diseases: prevention and treatment after flowering
- Botrytis or gray mold: It occurs in warm, humid environments, with brown spots on leaves and stems. Remove affected areas, reduce humidity, and use natural treatments or specific fungicides.
- Neck or bulb rot: Detectable by softening and a foul odor. Always use a well-drained substrate and do not reuse infected soil.
- Aphids and crioceros: Aphids can spread viruses, while red lily beetles devour leaves quickly. Inspect the plant regularly and use approved insecticides or biological remedies.
- Slugs and snails: They especially attack young leaves and new shoots. Create physical barriers and manually remove invaders.
Additional recommendations to extend the life and beauty of your lilies
- Do not cut green leaves after flowering: Always wait until the leaves have completely withered before removing them.
- Hygienic pruning: Disinfect tools before and after cutting to avoid transmitting diseases from one plant to another.
- Preserving bulbs: If you store them, periodically check the condition of the bulbs during the winter and discard any that show signs of rot or pests.
- Recovery of bulbs after periods of frost: If the winter has been very cold, check the bulbs before planting them again to ensure their viability.
Throughout the years, lilies have been a symbol of elegance and purity in gardens around the world. Their post-flowering care is simple but essential to keep the plant healthy and vigorous, ensuring spectacular blooms year after year. By adapting the recommendations to your climate and soil type, and being meticulous with pruning, watering, and pest protection, you'll enjoy the majestic presence of lilies in your home or garden for a long time.