When do you cut the leaves of irises?

Question

My neighbor cut all his iris leaves as soon as the flowers stopped blooming. I always thought you were supposed to leave them to get nourishment from the sun. At some point you're supposed to cut them, but when is that?

Answer 1

I have tons of irises. I don't cut them back anymore. I end up thinning them by taking out some of the roots in the fall and replanting them and that rejuvenates them. Then I have lots to share with neighbors or plant in other areas. If you are in a really cold area they will die back in the winter anyway... no need to cut them. I think some gardeners cut them back to make room for other plants around them, but they leave a good section on each root for nourishment. Have fun!

Answer 2

When the leaves start getting pretty yellow- usually in the Fall (and you're RIGHT about their purpose is to give the plants nourishment... Obviously your neighbor likes to replant his Irises every year...).

Answer 3

I've never cut them. I believe you are correct about leaving them on for next year's iris and it's nourishment. I would only remove the leaves that turn brown and fall off naturally. Good luck.

Answer 4

You're right. You shouldn't cut them right after flowering because after they flower the rhizomes need time to store up energy for the oncoming dormant season. Like any bulbs, you can safely cut the foliage back as soon as it turns yellow. I do this with all my bulbs, rhizomes, and corms.

Answer 5

I cut mine after they're done blossoming, and keep cutting them. I have other plants around them, and the leaves interfere with them. 20 years of doing it this way.

Answer 6

I've always cut mine when they started to look shabby. I've read a lot of different things on cutting them back and they were all different, so I just do what seems to make sense to me. Hasn't hurt them any.

Answer 7

Cut them all in the fall.