How to Grow & Care for Daylilies

I’ll buy daylilies from any place they catch my eye, but my favorite place to purchase bare root daylilies is online. If you really want to add some different varieties to your collection, shop online. Definitely follow any instructions for planting that come with the plants.

Basically, I dig a hole much larger that the pot or bare root plant. Then I add some plant food to the hole and mix in compost, add the plant and back fill the hole, gently tamping the soil in around the roots. If you're a beginner, or would like some tips on flower gardening, stop by and check out Flower Gardening 101.

During their first growing season, daylilies should be watered during dry weather and for several weeks after they are planted. This will help them get established more quickly. Rather than watering every day, water twice a week if it doesn’t rain, but water deeply, making sure the water soaks down into the root zone.

Tips for Growing Daylilies:

• Daylilies aren't to picky about soil. Although they will grow best in fertile, well-drained soil.
• Also, daylilies do best in full sun, but will also be okay in partial sun.
• Mulching around daylilies will help keep the soil moist and help to control weeds.
• Each daylily flower lasts just one day. To keep the plants looking their best, snap off the spent flowers, be careful not to disturb nearby buds.
• As the scapes finish blooming, cut them back to the base of the plant to keep the plants looking tidy and prevent them from putting energy into seed production. 
• When I’m deadheading, I will also tidy up the foliage, removing any yellow leaves.
• It isn’t necessary to fertilize daylilies and I didn’t fertilize at my last home because the soil was awesome. At my new home, I fertilize my daylilies in the spring with a slow release fertilizer, before applying a fresh layer of mulch.

Like most other perennials, it takes daylilies a year or two to get established and take off. Once they do, they'll bloom reliably for many years. If you'd like more tips on growing daylilies, be sure to pop over and check out the full post.