How to Grow Daylily

Hemerocallis spp. · Zones Data not available

Daylily is a perennial grown for its orange blooms, which open in summer and return year after year. Notably, it grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies.

Zones

Data not available

pH Range

6-6.8

Sun

Full Sun

Days to Maturity

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USDA PLANTS DatabaseUSDA PHZM 2023ASPCA

What Daylily is

Daylily grows as a perennial and reaches around three feet at maturity. It blooms orange in summer. It's also well suited to containers.

How to grow Daylily

Daylily does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 6 to 6.8, on well-drained ground.

USDA Zones

Data not available

USDA PHZM 2023

Soil pH

6 - 6.8

USDA PLANTS Database

Sun

Full Sun

plant_species_v5.csv

Drainage

well (dry spells)

plant_species_v5.csv

Mature Height

3 ft

plant_species_v5.csv

  1. Start the season right

    Plant daylily in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.

  2. Match the soil

    Daylily prefers pH 6 to 6.8 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.

  3. Water steadily

    Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.

  4. Harvest at its peak

    Cut daylily blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.

Good to know

One caution for pet owners — daylily is toxic to cats (lethal severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)

Daylily offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)

Where Daylily thrives

Whether daylily thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.

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See if Daylily will thrive on your land

Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether daylily actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.

Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:

Your soil pHYour frost-free daysYour sun & shade

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow Daylily in my zone?

Zone data for daylily is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.

When should you plant Daylily?

Most growers plant daylily after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.

How much sun does Daylily need?

Daylily needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.

What soil does Daylily need?

Daylily prefers soil pH 6 to 6.8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.

Does Daylily attract pollinators?

Yes — daylily's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).

Is Daylily safe for pets?

Daylily is toxic to pets (cats) with lethal severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.