When do you cut back the lily plant stalks?

Question

Two years ago I planted a whole bunch of assorted lily bulbs my wife bought on QVC. They bloomed profusely and now all the flowers are gone. When do I cut the stalks back? Last year I waited until the fall but had all the stalks sticking up all summer.

Answer 1

Cut off the spent flowers, but you should allow the plant stalks to die off naturally rather than cutting them down right after blooming. This will ensure the bulbs have seen a full return of nutrients from the plant before winter. You can cut them off when they've dried up.

If you don't like how the stalks look, why not bend them to the ground so they are neater ? I do this to my tulip stems, too. Maybe you could plant some Black-Eyed Susans in front of them so the stalks are hidden away while they're in the process of gathering nutrients for the bulb.

If you really need to trim the stalks, "try not to cut off more than a third of the stem, which can reduce the plant's vigor and longevity." *

Answer 2

You can cut them back anytime after blooming is finished. Cutting back before seed pods form allows plant to divert that energy to making a stronger plant.

Answer 3

Cut them back after they have bloomed OR if the stalks have died (turned brown) or dead looking!

Answer 4

Cut them back once they have finished blooming, as the last answerer stated.