How To Prune Lilies

Pruning is essential in caring for your lilies, no matter what variety you grow. One of the most basic ways to do this is to use a sharp pair of shears to cut away dead or spent blooms from the stems. This procedure is known as deadheading, and it is a good way to encourage the development of new blooms in the next growing season. A good 70 to 80 percent up to the stem is an appropriate amount to prune away, but always avoid pruning more than one third off of the stem, as this will remove too many leaves.

You can also prune your lilies with your fingers, specifically the thumb and forefinger. This method is called pinching and simply involves pinching off the dead or dying blooms of the flowers with your fingers.

Another way to prune your lily plants is to wait until its foliage begins to turn brown. This will eventually occur at some point after the flowers have bloomed. You can actually speed up the process, depending on the stems of the plants, and bend each of your lilies over and tie them together. In a spot that receives a lot of sunlight, the foliage will turn color.

Again, use a sharp, clean pair of pruning shears to cut the leaves off the plant, and leave about one inch that sits above the soil. Make sure to always perform this means of pruning after the foliage has already turned brown, as doing so when the plant is still in bloom can adversely affect its health.