Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Daylilies feature long, arching, sword-shaped green leaves that form clumps, bearing large, trumpet-shaped flowers on tall stalks. Individual blooms typically last for only one day, though numerous buds on each stem ensure a prolonged flowering season.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flower production.
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, daylilies are moderately drought-tolerant but perform best with weekly watering during dry periods.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial forming dense clumps of arching foliage, reaching mature heights of 1 to 4 feet and spreads of 1.5 to 3 feet with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. Provide regular watering during dry spells to maintain consistent moisture, especially in spring and summer. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flower production.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, daylilies are moderately drought-tolerant but perform best with weekly watering during dry periods.
Soil
Adaptable to a wide range of well-draining soils including loam, clay, or sandy loam, with a preferred pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial forming dense clumps of arching foliage, reaching mature heights of 1 to 4 feet and spreads of 1.5 to 3 feet with a moderate to fast growth rate.
Bloom season
Late spring through late summer, producing large flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, or purple, often with contrasting throats.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through division of mature clumps in early spring or immediately after the flowering season concludes.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but can occasionally be affected by aphids, spider mites, or thrips, as well as daylily rust and crown rot in poorly draining soils.
Similar species
True lilies (Lilium species) feature scaly bulbs and a single upright stem with long-lasting flowers, whereas daylilies grow from tuberous roots with basal foliage clumps and single-day blooms.