In this study, Zhengdan 958 and Liangyu 99 were used as experimental materials to study the effects of leaf cutting at different leaf ages on spring maize. The results showed that the physiological maturity time of the treatment with different leaf ages was delayed by 1-2 days. The results also showed that leaf cutting could delay leaf senescence, prolong the duration of LAI high value, and effectively improve the SPAD of functional leaves. The plant height and ear height of Zhengdan 958 were decreased by leaf cutting. However, the control of Liangyu 99 plant height was not significant. The leaf cutting treatment slowed down the grain filling process, but the initial grain filling accumulation potential was greater than that of the control. The results showed that Zhengdan 958 was suitable for 6-leaf stage. The yield was significantly increased by 9.09% compared with the control, while Liangyu 99 was suitable for 3-leaf or 7-leaf stage. The yield increased by 4.65% and 6.33% respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the weight per spike and the number of grains per ear were significantly positively correlated with yield.Therefore, leaf cutting can delay leaf senescence, increase SPAD of functional leaves in later growth stage, ensure higher source leaf area at grain filling stage, increase grain filling accumulation initial potential, prolong effective filling time, and significantly increase grain quality at mature stage, so as to obtain higher population yield.