So your peonies have put on their big, beautiful show—fluffy petals, sweet fragrance, and all. But now what? Once the blooms start to fade, many gardeners aren’t quite sure what to do next. Do you cut them back? Leave them alone? Feed them?
If you want your peonies to come back strong next year—with even more blooms—you’ll need to give them the right post-flower care. Luckily, it’s not hard. You just need to know the steps.
Here are 8 crucial things you should do right after your peonies flower.
1. Deadhead Spent Blooms—But Not the Leaves
Once your peony flowers begin to wilt and drop petals, it’s time to deadhead. Snip off each faded bloom just above a leaf node. This keeps the plant tidy and prevents it from wasting energy on seed production.
But don’t touch the leaves! Those lush green stems are still hard at work gathering sunlight and sending energy back to the roots. You’ll need them to stay in place for several more weeks.
Quick Tip: Use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid spreading disease.
2. Inspect for Ants and Pests
Peonies are famous for attracting ants—and while they don’t harm the plant, it’s good to keep an eye out. After blooming, check your plants for signs of botrytis blight, thrips, or powdery mildew.
If you spot any brown spots, fuzzy mold, or distorted leaves, act fast. Remove affected foliage and treat with a safe fungicide or insecticidal soap if needed.
3. Water Deeply—But Don’t Overdo It
Even though the flowers are gone, your peonies still need regular water to recharge. Deep watering once a week is ideal, especially if it’s hot and dry.
Just don’t drown them—peonies hate soggy roots. A layer of mulch can help keep moisture levels steady without waterlogging the soil.
4. Fertilize Sparingly
Right after blooming is a great time to give your peonies a light feeding. A low-nitrogen, balanced fertilizer (like 5-10-10) works well to support root and bud development for next season.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers—they’ll encourage too much leafy growth and not enough flowers.
Timing Tip: Apply fertilizer a few weeks after blooming, and always water it in well.
5. Support the Stems if They’re Flopping
Some peony varieties, especially the big double blooms, tend to flop after flowering. If your stems are leaning or laying flat, stake them gently to prevent breakage.
You can use peony rings, bamboo stakes, or even soft twine tied to nearby supports. Keeping the foliage upright helps it soak in more sun and stay healthy longer.
6. Weed and Mulch Around the Base
Now’s a good time to tidy up the soil around your peonies. Remove weeds, clear out fallen petals, and refresh the mulch.
A clean base helps prevent disease and keeps the plant’s crown from sitting in soggy soil. Stick to a 2–3 inch mulch layer—just don’t pile it up on the stems.
7. Mark or Tag Your Peonies
If you’ve got multiple peony varieties in your garden, now is the perfect time to tag or label them while the plant is still recognizable.
Later in the season, once they die back, it’s easy to forget which one’s which. Marking them now makes dividing and transplanting way easier down the road.
8. Let the Leaves Stay Until Fall
Here’s the golden rule: don’t cut back your peony foliage early. The plant needs those green leaves to gather energy for next spring’s bloom.
Wait until the foliage naturally yellows and dies back in the fall. Then, and only then, trim it down to just above the soil. This reduces disease risk and keeps your garden tidy.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your peonies after they bloom is just as important as what you do when they’re flowering. These eight steps will help your plants stay healthy, vibrant, and full of buds for next year.
With just a bit of attention now, your peonies will reward you again and again—bigger, better, and more breathtaking each season.
🌸 Bonus Tip: Want Even More Blooms Next Year?
If your peonies are a few years old and still underperforming, they might be planted too deep. Peony crowns should sit just 1–2 inches below the soil surface. Consider lifting and replanting in the fall if needed!