Iris after blooming - Ask Extension
What do I do with Iris after they bloom in the spring? water them? cut them down? do nothing?
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Iris after blooming #935693
Asked June 16, 2026, 10:07 AM EDT
What do I do with Iris after they bloom in the spring? water them? cut them down? do nothing?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Greetings Carol,
While your irises are no longer blooming, the leaves are still working hard to photosynthesize and store energy for next year’s blooms.
Therefore, it’s best to leave the leafs and water them occasionally through the hot summer. Cutting off the spent blooms is also helpful. To do so, cut all the way at the base of the flower stems.
In the late fall, I’d recommend trimming the leaves down to about 6-8 inches. Doing so prevents garden pests from overwintering under the leaves, yet allows the stems to hold snow and keep the plants from freezing in case of severe winter weather.
Happy gardening,
