You want to deadhead your tulips after they have bloomed so your plants do not waste energy producing unwanted seed heads. You do not have to cut the entire stem off, but can cut it down to the first leaves, which will give it a cleaner appearance. Just remember not to remove the foliage until it has browned and died back naturally because even though the flowers have come and gone, the leaves are how your tulip bulbs store energy for next year’s growing season.
Hi Judi,
You want to deadhead your tulips after they have bloomed so your plants do not waste energy producing unwanted seed heads. You do not have to cut the entire stem off, but can cut it down to the first leaves, which will give it a cleaner appearance. Just remember not to remove the foliage until it has browned and died back naturally because even though the flowers have come and gone, the leaves are how your tulip bulbs store energy for next year’s growing season.