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Daylilies (Hemerocallis) Planting Guide
When it comes to plants that look simply stunning but are actually tough as nails, Daylilies are the first to come to mind! Also known as Hemerocallis, these happy bloomers are among the most popular and easiest perennial plants to grow in the sunny garden. Hardy throughout the country, Daylilies require minimal care to produce abundant blooms in a spectacular array of colors and forms. Ready to grow your own? Our helpful planting guide is here to light the way!
Success Snapshot

PLANTING
DEPTH
Crown 1" below soil line

WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate to Low

SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Full Sun

PLANTING
PROXIMITY
18-24" Apart

BLOOM
SEASON
Spring through Summer

HARDINESS
ZONES
Zones 3-9
Shop Related Products

Daylily Stella De Oro
$10.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Purple De Oro
$16.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Purple de Oro'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Vanilla Fluff
$15.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocalis 'Vanilla Fluff'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Strawberry Candy
$18.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Strawberry Candy'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Gentle Shepherd
$14.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Gentle Shepherd'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Autumn Red
$9.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Autumn Red'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Frans Hals
$17.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Frans Hals' syn. 'Franz Hals'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Prairie Belle
$14.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Prairie Belle'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Bumper Crop Mix
$23.95
Contains: 10 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Colorful & Carefree Collection
$52.95
Contains: 12 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Wineberry Candy
$14.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Wineberry Candy'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Pardon Me Double-Flowering
$26.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Moses Fire
$26.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Moses' Fire'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily EveryDaylily Pink Wing
$26.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Everydaylily® Pink Wing'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Spacecoast Sea Shells
$26.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Spacecoast Sea Shells'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Everydaylily Punch Yellow
$26.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Everydaylily® Yellow Punch'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Lavender Blue Baby
$26.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Lavender Blue Baby'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Night Embers
$19.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Night Embers'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Mary Reed
$7.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Mary Reed'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily South Seas
$15.95
Contains: 1 bare root daylily
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'South Seas'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9

Daylily Simmons Overture
$22.95
Contains: 3 Daylily bareroots
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Simmons Overture'
Exposure: Full Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Where to Plant
Plant your Daylilies in the ground in well-draining soil or containers with adequate drainage holes. If you notice water puddles in your outdoor location 5–6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site or amend the soil with organic material. Site your plants where they will receive full sunlight or light shade in warmer climates.
When to Plant
Late spring or early fall is the best time to plant Daylilies. In areas with winter temperatures that drop below freezing, they should be planted eight weeks or more before hard frosts typically occur.
How to Plant
- For outdoor landscape planting, locate a spot where the soil drains well in full sun or light shade in warmer climates.
- For container planting, choose a container with adequate drainage holes and fill it with good quality, well-drained soil. Almost any commercially available potting medium will work fine. Site the container in full sun or light shade in warmer climates.
- Dig holes and form a small mound of soil in the bottom of the hole.
- Plant your Daylilies so that the roots are fanned out over the mound and the crown is no more than 1” below the soil surface. Cover the roots with soil.
- Water generously after planting to soak the soil and settle it around the roots.
How to Grow
- Water lightly as needed during active growth periods without waterlogging the soil; 1” of water a week is usually enough.
- Leave the foliage in place after blooming has finished for the season. The leaves will gather sunlight to create food through photosynthesis, providing nourishment for next year's show.
- Remove the dry foliage if the leaves turn yellow and die back. Some varieties are evergreen, and some slip into a dormant period during the winter.
Daylily Tips & Tricks
- Feel free to cut flowers while in bloom for bouquets and other arrangements, as this will not hurt the plants. While Daylily blooms last only a single day, choosing stems with several large buds will provide a few consecutive days of cut flowers.
- Allow your Daylilies to rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.
- Mulch newly planted Daylilies to help manage freezing and thawing soils.
- Amend the soil with compost, finely ground bark, or decomposed manure to raise the level 2"–3" to improve the drainage. Daylilies appreciate an average amount of moisture but will not survive in waterlogged soil.
- Plant immediately as Daylily roots will dry up if left out of the ground for too long.
- Expect new top growth to form just a few weeks after planting, with speed depending on the amount of available warmth and moisture.
- Reduce the risk of frost heave and give your fall-planted Daylilies a chance to root in securely by planting them eight weeks or more before hard frosts typically occur.