Daylily (Hemerocallis) Planting & Growing Guide

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.