How to Remove Flower Heads From Tulips

Tulips grow as short-lived perennials, with each bulb flowering for one to five years before it begins to decline. Removing the flower heads from the tulips after they finish blooming increases the lifespan of the bulbs so they flower for the maximum amount of years. The flowers begin producing seed after they wilt. Tulip seeds rarely result in a new plant, but their formation drains energy from the bulbs, causing them to decline more quickly. Preventing this seed production by deadheading the tulips saves the bulb's energy for future flowering.

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Instructions

- 1
  Water the tulip plants as necessary so the soil remains moist without becoming soggy during the flowering period. Leave the flower heads on the plants until the petals begin to droop and fall off. Tulip flowers typically shatter at the end of the blooming period, which results in all or most of the petals dropping off at the same time.
- 2
  Cut off the flower stem 2 to 3 inches below the developing seed head. The tulip seeds form at the top of the stem as an oblong, swollen part of the old flower head. Remove the entire seed head when cutting off the old flower.
- 3
  Leave the remaining flower stem and the foliage on the plant until it begins to yellow and fall over naturally. This usually occurs six weeks after flower removal. The green leaves and stems gather sunlight to fuel the bulb, so leaving them on until they die results in a stronger bulb.
- 4
  Trim off the remaining foliage and flower stem at ground level after it yellows. Remove all the spent tulip foliage from the bed and dispose of or compost it. Do not leave the old leaves in the bed after they die.

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