Image: AI generated
Daylily Plant Care
Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hemerocallis fulva, the orange day-lily, tawny daylily, corn lily, tiger daylily, fulvous daylily, ditch lily or Fourth of July lily, is a species of daylily native to Asia. It is very widely grown as an ornamental plant in temperate climates for its showy flowers and ease of cultivation.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Daylily?
Water Daylily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats but non-toxic to dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Daylily?
Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Hemerocallis genus. Daylily is native to Asia. Daylily is also known as Common Daylily, Tawny Daylily, Orange Daylily.
Daylily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Daylily produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Daylily?
Hemerocallis fulva requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Daylily Need?
Daylily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Daylily Prefer?
Hemerocallis fulva grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Daylily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Daylily?
Well-draining, fertile soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Daylily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Daylily?
Feed Daylily every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Daylily?
Divide and repot every 3-5 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Daylily?
Daylily can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Daylily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats but non-toxic to dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Hemerocallis species (which includes Daylily). View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Daylily?
Daylily is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Daylily Need?
Daylily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Daylily is native to Asia. In cooler regions, grow Daylily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Daylily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Hemerocallis genus — compare its care with other Hemerocallis species on PlantoScan.
Hemerocallis is part of the Asphodelaceae plant family — browse all Asphodelaceae genera and species.
Daylily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L., family Asphodelaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. ed. 2 : 462 (1762)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Hemerocallis species (which includes Daylily) as toxic to cats but non-toxic to dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Daylily Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species