What soil does Daylily grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay.

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Daylily toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Daylily toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How much water does Daylily need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Daylily cost?

It sells for roughly €5.50 to €27 in local shops, depending on size.

Daylily

Hemerocallis × hybrida

Daylily (Hemerocallis × hybrida) is a perennial. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs and children, toxic to cats. Sold in local shops from about €5.50.

Illustration of Daylily — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Garden daylilies are almost indestructible, long-lived perennials: above a clump of arching, grassy leaves they carry trumpet-shaped flowers for weeks in summer, although each bloom lasts only a day. The hundreds of cultivars differ a lot: dwarfs are barely 30 cm, tall ones send flower stems up to a metre and a half, and colours run from cream through yellow, orange and pink to deep burgundy (no blue), so check the height, the bloom season and whether a cultivar reblooms or is scented before you choose. They flower best in sun and cope well with drought, but pick something else if you keep cats, because daylilies are highly toxic to them.

Watch out for

Larvae of the hemerocallis gall midge develop inside the early buds, which swell, distort and fail to open: pick these off and bin them. In hot, dry weather thrips, spider mites and aphids can disfigure leaves and flowers, and leaf streak may show on the foliage. Daylily rust is a problem in some regions. Flowering is poor in prolonged drought or deep shade, and clumps are best divided every 3 to 4 years.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 80 cm × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	80 cm × 60 cm
Ultimate size	0.2–1.5 m × 30–90 cm
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–September, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	50 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €5.50

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-40 cm	approx. €8
30-50 cm	approx. €10
size not stated	approx. €5.50 – €27

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant perennials Perennials for clay soil Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to children Perennials for pollinators Plants for containers Low-maintenance perennials

Compare with similar plants

Daylily vs Bushy aster Daylily vs Catmint Daylily vs Hardy geranium hybrids

Looks good next to it

Serbian spruce

Picea omorika

Portugal laurel

Prunus lusitanica

David viburnum

Viburnum davidii