Daylily Care
Hemerocallis spp.
An extremely hardy and long-lived herbaceous plant whose individual flowers stay open for only one day but which blooms abundantly in clusters. It likes sunny areas and well-drained soils; although it is drought tolerant, it performs better with summer irrigation.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: Remove leaves that turn yellow in winter to aerate the area around the plant and reduce shelter for pests.
- Pests & diseases: Carry out general observation. Frost protection is not needed; it is very hardy.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: Cut all the dry leaves left over from last season before new growth begins.
- General care: Clear weeds.
- Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for snails and slugs.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, 5-7 L/m² every 2 weeks.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- Plant protection: Check the new leaves for aphids.
- General care: This is a good time to propagate by division.
- Pests & diseases: Check for aphids.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: Apply mulch to preserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Plant protection: Check flower buds for thrips or aphids. If necessary, use neem oil or a suitable insecticide.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Pests & diseases: Deformed buds or buds that fail to open can be a sign of thrips.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Enjoy the flowers.
- Pests & diseases: Check the leaves for rust.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Plant protection: Check for spider mites in hot weather.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The leaves may look a little worn in the summer heat; this is normal.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: This is the ideal time to divide the roots to revitalize and propagate the plant.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Pruning: When the leaves have turned completely yellow, you can cut them close to the ground, or leave them for winter protection.
- Pruning: Cutting all the old leaves is a good practice for winter cleanup.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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