From the perspective of the lily plant itself, the period after blooming is not an end but a critical transition. It is shifting its energy from the spectacular, but resource-intensive, process of reproduction (flowering) to ensuring its own survival and future growth. What you do after the flowers fade directly supports or hinders these natural physiological processes.
Once the lily's petals wither and drop, the plant's primary goal is to replenish its underground bulb. The flower, while beautiful, consumed vast amounts of the plant's stored energy. Now, the green, leafy stalk and remaining leaves become the powerhouses. Through photosynthesis, they capture sunlight and convert it into carbohydrates, which are then sent down to the bulb for storage. This stored energy is the very fuel that will power next year's growth cycle and flower production. Any action that removes this photosynthetic machinery too early starves the bulb.
Your first task is to remove the spent flowers, a practice known as deadheading. From the plant's viewpoint, preventing seed production is beneficial. Developing seed pods is an enormous energy drain, diverting resources that would otherwise be sent to the bulb. By snipping off the flower head just below the base of the bloom, you signal to the plant to cease seed production and refocus all its efforts on bulb development. Use clean, sharp shears to make a clean cut and avoid introducing disease.
This is the most important phase for the lily. After deadheading, you must leave the entire green stalk and all leaves intact. Do not cut it back. This foliage must be allowed to continue photosynthesis unimpeded for as long as possible. The stem will remain green for several weeks or even months. Water the plant regularly during this time and consider applying a balanced, liquid fertilizer low in nitrogen (such as a 5-10-10 formula) to provide essential nutrients for bulb rebuilding. Treat the lily as a valuable green plant, not a fading one.
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, the lily will naturally begin to senesce, or die back. The stem and leaves will turn yellow and then brown. This is a normal process where the plant retrieves any remaining nutrients from the foliage before becoming dormant. Only after the foliage has completely yellowed and died back should you cut the stem down to ground level. For gardeners in cold winter climates, a layer of mulch applied over the lily's location after the ground freezes will help protect the dormant bulb from extreme temperature fluctuations, ensuring it remains viable for the next growing season.
