Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
You get lilies to rebloom by giving them the right care after their first bloom, and the process is easier than most gardeners think.
If you’ve been wondering how to get lilies to rebloom, the secret lies in how you treat the plant once the flowers fade.
Lilies are hardy perennials, meaning they come back year after year, but they need specific conditions to produce those gorgeous blooms again.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get lilies to rebloom, from deadheading to fertilizing to winter care.
Let’s dig in and get those lilies reblooming for you.
How Do You Get Lilies to Rebloom: The Basics
To get lilies to rebloom, you need to focus on the bulb, not the flower, since that’s where all the energy for new growth is stored.
When you get lilies to rebloom successfully, you’re essentially helping the bulb recharge after the exhausting process of flowering.
The plant uses its leaves to photosynthesize and send energy down to the bulb, so anything that disrupts those leaves will hurt your chances.
Here are the core steps that will help you get lilies to rebloom with confidence.
1. Deadhead Spent Blooms Immediately
Once your lily flowers fade and drop their petals, you should remove the seed pod that forms at the top of the stem.
This process, called deadheading, stops the plant from wasting energy on seed production.
When you deadhead, you’re telling the lily to put all its resources into the bulb instead of making seeds.
Just snip off the flower head, but leave the stem and leaves intact, because that green growth is vital for photosynthesis.
By deadheading promptly, you give your lilies the best chance to rebloom the following season.
2. Leave the Foliage to Die Back Naturally
After your lilies finish blooming, the leaves will stay green for several weeks, and that’s a good thing.
Many gardeners make the mistake of cutting back the foliage too early, which severely limits the plant’s ability to rebloom.
The leaves are like solar panels, capturing sunlight and converting it into food stored in the bulb.
If you want to get lilies to rebloom, resist the urge to tidy up until the leaves turn yellow and wither.
This natural die-back signals that the bulb has stored enough energy for next year’s show.
3. Feed Your Lilies a Balanced Fertilizer
To get lilies to rebloom robustly, you need to feed them after flowering, not just before.
A balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium works wonders during this post-bloom period.
Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer around the base of the plant, being careful not to get it on the foliage.
The phosphorus in the fertilizer is especially important because it promotes strong root and bulb development.
Repeat this feeding every four to six weeks until the foliage dies back, and you’ll see a noticeable difference in bloom quality.
4. Water Deeply but Infrequently
Consistent moisture is crucial when you’re trying to get lilies to rebloom, but overwatering can cause bulb rot.
Water deeply once a week, ensuring the soil is moist about six inches down.
During dry spells, you might need to water more frequently, but always let the top inch of soil dry out first.
Bulbs sitting in soggy soil will rot, and that’s the fastest way to kill any chance of reblooming.
Good drainage is non-negotiable, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider planting lilies in raised beds.
5. Ensure the Right Sunlight Exposure
Lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade, and this balance directly affects their ability to rebloom.
Too much shade means the leaves can’t produce enough energy, resulting in weak bulbs and few flowers.
Aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the morning.
If you live in a hot climate, afternoon shade is fine and even beneficial to prevent scorching.
When you get lilies to rebloom, proper light is half the battle, so observe your garden and adjust accordingly.
Common Mistakes That Prevent Lilies from Reblooming
Even with the best intentions, several common errors can stop your lilies from reblooming, so let’s fix those.
Avoiding these pitfalls is just as important as following the right steps.
1. Cutting Stems Right After Flowering
If you cut the stems down to the ground immediately after the blooms fade, you eliminate the plant’s food source.
Remember, the leaves need to stay attached for weeks to photosynthesize and feed the bulb.
Only remove the stem once it has turned completely brown and pulls away easily.
This patience is key when you want to get lilies to rebloom season after season.
2. Skipping the Winter Mulch
In colder climates, lilies need a protective layer of mulch to survive the winter and rebloom.
Apply a thick layer of straw, pine needles, or shredded bark after the ground freezes.
This mulch insulates the soil, preventing the freeze-thaw cycles that can heave bulbs out of the ground.
When spring arrives, remove the mulch gradually to allow new shoots to emerge.
Without winter protection, your lilies may still grow, but the rebloom will be sparse or nonexistent.
3. Planting Too Shallow
Lilies have contractile roots that pull the bulb down to the proper depth over time, but you should help them out.
Plant bulbs at a depth of about three times their height, typically six to eight inches.
Shallow planting exposes bulbs to temperature extremes and makes them vulnerable to pests.
When bulbs are properly buried, they stay cool in summer and insulated in winter.
This simple planting depth adjustment goes a long way in getting lilies to rebloom.
4. Neglecting to Divide Overcrowded Bulbs
After a few years, lily bulbs multiply and become crowded, which reduces air circulation and nutrient availability.
Overcrowded bulbs produce fewer flowers, and the rebloom becomes weak and leggy.
Every three to four years, dig up your lilies in early autumn and separate the bulblets.
Replant them at the correct spacing, about eight to twelve inches apart, to give each bulb room to thrive.
Dividing your lilies is a surefire way to get lilies to rebloom vigorously again.
Special Care for Potted Lilies to Rebloom
If you grow lilies in containers, the process to get lilies to rebloom involves a few extra steps.
Potted lilies have less soil volume, so they require more attention to watering and feeding.
You’ll need to move them to a sheltered spot after blooming to encourage reblooming.
1. Move Pots to a Cool, Dark Place for Dormancy
Potted lilies need a simulated winter to rebloom, so after the foliage dies back, move the pot to a cool garage or basement.
Keep the soil slightly moist but never wet during this dormant period, which lasts about eight to ten weeks.
The ideal temperature for dormancy is between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
This cold period is essential for triggering the rebloom cycle in the spring.
2. Repot and Refresh the Soil
Before bringing your potted lilies back into the light, refresh the top inch of soil with fresh compost.
If the pot seems crowded, move the bulbs to a slightly larger container with good drainage holes.
Water thoroughly after repotting, and place the pot in a sunny location as new growth appears.
This fresh start gives your potted lilies the nutrients they need to rebloom strongly.
So, How Do You Get Lilies to Rebloom Successfully?
You get lilies to rebloom by mimicking their natural woodland cycle, which combines patience and proper care.
The process isn’t complicated, but it does require that you stop cutting foliage too soon and start feeding the bulbs.
Deadhead spent flowers, leave the stems intact, fertilize after blooming, and protect them over winter.
If you’ve been asking how do you get lilies to rebloom, the answer is consistent care that prioritizes bulb health.
Whether you grow them in the ground or in pots, the principles are the same.
With a little attention to these details, you’ll be rewarded with another spectacular display of lily blooms.
So get out there, treat your lilies right, and watch them reward you with a gorgeous rebloom every single year.