daylily
Hemerocallis
Clump-forming herbaceous perennials with strap-like leaves and showy, often short-lived flowers; adaptable, hardy and low-maintenance, widely used in ornamental gardens.
Caution: Toxic to Pets
Toxicity: highly toxic
All parts are highly toxic to cats and can cause acute kidney failure; dogs and humans may have stomach upset. Seek veterinary care immediately if a pet ingests any part.
🌱Care Requirements
Light
Plant daylilies in a site with at least six hours of direct morning sun for best blooms. In hot climates provide afternoon shade or filtered light to protect petals; containers benefit from bright light with some afternoon shelter.
Water
Water newly planted and container daylilies deeply once or twice weekly; allow the top 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) of soil to dry between waterings. Established clumps are drought-tolerant but respond to deep watering during prolonged dry spells and flowering.
Humidity
Daylilies tolerate low to average humidity and do not require extra misting. Ensure good air circulation and avoid prolonged leaf wetness to reduce fungal leaf spots and crown rot.
Temperature
Grow in a wide range: approx. -30°C to 40°C (-22°F to 104°F). Active growth thrives between 15–30°C (59–86°F); plants tolerate deep winter cold when dormant.
🔧Common Problems & Solutions
Yellowing or browning foliage
Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage, nutrient deficiency or natural dieback after flowering.
Solution: Check soil drainage, reduce watering frequency, remove dead leaves, apply balanced fertilizer in spring and amend soil if compacted.
Soft, mushy crown or blackened base
Cause: Crown rot or fungal infection from waterlogged soil or poor airflow.
Solution: Lift and inspect clumps, discard infected tissue, improve drainage, replant higher with fresh soil and apply fungicide if needed.
Bud blast (buds fail to open)
Cause: Temperature extremes, inconsistent moisture, thrips damage or too-cool nights.
Solution: Maintain even moisture, protect from extreme heat/cold, inspect for thrips and treat with insecticidal soap or systemic insecticide if severe.
Aphids, thrips or spider mites
Cause: Pest infestations during warm, dry weather or crowded plantings.
Solution: Blast foliage with water, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, encourage predators and thin overcrowded clumps for airflow.
✂️How to Propagate daylily
Divide clumps in early spring or late summer/fall after flowering. Dig the entire crown, shake or wash soil away and separate into fans containing 2–5 growth points and healthy roots. Replant fans so the crown sits 3–5 cm (1–2 in) below soil, firm soil and water. For seed, collect pods when dry, sow fresh or stratify cold for faster germination; seedlings take several years to flower.
🌍Origin & Background
Family: Asphodelaceae
Native to: Native to temperate Asia—China, Korea and Japan.
Natural Habitat: Occurs in open meadows, riverbanks and forest edges with well-drained soils; tolerates sun to partial shade and periodic drought or disturbance.
🗓Seasonal Care Guide
Winter
Cut foliage back after heavy frost and apply a light mulch in colder zones to protect crowns; remove mulch in spring as growth resumes.
Spring
Divide crowded clumps, plant new fans, apply a balanced fertilizer and ensure even moisture as new growth emerges.
Summer
Deadhead spent scapes to encourage rebloom, water deeply during heat waves and monitor for pests and bud blast.
Fall
Reduce watering as plants go dormant, tidy up spent foliage and divide if clumps are large; clear debris to reduce overwintering pests.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How much sun do daylilies need?
They flower best with at least 6 hours of sun; in hot climates give afternoon shade to protect blooms.
When should I divide daylilies?
Divide every 3–5 years in early spring or late summer/fall after flowering to rejuvenate clumps.
Are daylilies deer-resistant?
Daylilies are somewhat deer-resistant but hungry deer may browse them; use barriers or repellents if deer pressure is high.
Do daylilies need fertilizer?
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring; a second light feed after first bloom boosts reblooming.
Are daylilies toxic to pets?
Yes—daylilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure; keep pets away and seek help if ingested.
Turn These Tips into Daily Plant Chats
Get watering reminders, humidity alerts, and adorable updates straight from your daylily. TextMyPlant keeps you on schedule so your plants always look their best.
Start chatting with your plants🌿Related Plant Guides
Tulip
BeginnerTulipa
Spring-flowering bulbous perennials with showy cup-shaped flowers in many colors; grown from bulbs, prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and require a cold dormant period to bloom.
Common yarrow
BeginnerAchillea millefolium
Hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb with feathery leaves and flat clusters of tiny flowers; tolerates poor soils, drought, and full sun.
Baby's-breath
BeginnerGypsophila
Genus of herbaceous flowering plants (baby's-breath) grown for airy clusters of tiny white or pink flowers; prefers full sun and well‑drained, neutral to alkaline soil.
Common hyacinth (Dutch hyacinth)
BeginnerHyacinthus orientalis
Fragrant spring-blooming bulbous perennial with dense spikes of bell-shaped flowers in various colors; commonly grown in gardens and containers; hardy in temperate climates.
Last updated: 11/7/2025