Daylilies: The Indestructible Perennial
Hemerocallis spp.
Daylilies are nearly indestructible. They bloom in sun or part shade, tolerate poor soil, resist deer, and multiply quickly. Thousands of cultivars in every color except blue.
Specifications
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Hardiness zones
- 3–9
- Height
- 1–4 ft
- Bloom time
- Summer
Care & growing tips
Plant in any soil with full sun to part shade. Water during dry spells. Remove spent bloom stalks for tidiness. Divide every 4–5 years to maintain vigor. "Stella de Oro" reblooms all summer.
Companion plants
03Find daylilies in your zone
13Zone-specific care, planting windows, and alternatives.
- Z3 Daylilies in Zone 3
- Z4 Daylilies in Zone 4
- Z5 Daylilies in Zone 5
- Z6 Daylilies in Zone 6
- Z7 Daylilies in Zone 7
- Z7a Daylilies in Zone 7a
- Z7b Daylilies in Zone 7b
- Z8 Daylilies in Zone 8
- Z8a Daylilies in Zone 8a
- Z8b Daylilies in Zone 8b
- Z9 Daylilies in Zone 9
- Z9a Daylilies in Zone 9a
- Z9b Daylilies in Zone 9b
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How long do daylily blooms last?
Each individual bloom lasts exactly one day — that's where the name comes from. But each stalk carries 10–20 buds, so a single plant blooms for 3–5 weeks. Reblooming varieties like "Stella de Oro" and "Happy Returns" flower on and off all summer.
02 When should I divide daylilies?
Every 4–5 years when flowering starts to decline. Divide in early spring or late summer after blooming. Dig the clump, cut into fist-sized sections with at least 3 fans each, and replant at the original depth.
03 Are daylilies deer resistant?
No — deer love daylilies and will eat the flower buds and young leaves. The 'deer-resistant' label is misleading. If you have deer pressure, use repellent sprays weekly or fence the beds during bloom season.
