Daylilies are a gardener’s dream. These hardy perennials provide vibrant bursts of color from spring to fall with very little maintenance required. As their name suggests, each flower only lasts one day, but a mature plant produces buds continually so the blooms keep coming.
One key to growing healthy daylilies that put on a prolific floral display is planting the bulbs at the proper depth Follow these simple guidelines for how deep to plant daylily bulbs, and you’ll be rewarded with years of blossoms.
What are Daylilies?
Daylilies, botanically known as Hemerocallis, earn their common name because each flower only lasts about 24 hours. The flowers bloom in succession though, so a plant always has fresh blossoms opening. Daylilies are not true lilies, which belong to the Lilium genus, but they are close botanical cousins.
These perennials grow from bulbs or tubers, not seeds. The strappy green foliage emerges in spring, followed by flower scapes that hold the buds above the leaves. Daylilies come in a rainbow of colors including reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purples, and whites. Some have a sweet fragrance too.
Once established, daylilies thrive with very little care. They tolerate drought, heat, humidity, poor soil, and salt Deer and rabbits usually leave them alone as well. Dividing the clumps every few years rejuvenates growth.
When to Plant Daylily Bulbs
Daylilies can be planted in either spring or fall, as soon as the soil can be worked.
Spring planting should occur 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area This gives the roots time to establish before hot summer weather arrives.
Fall planting can begin about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. Growth will be slow as the weather cools, but the roots will develop over winter.
Avoid planting during the heat of summer or when the ground is frozen solid in winter.
How Deep to Plant Daylily Bulbs
Proper planting depth is key for daylily health and performance. If bulbs are planted too shallow, they can dry out, freeze, or get washed out of the ground. Burying them too deep prevents proper drainage and air circulation to the roots.
Follow these guidelines when planting daylily bulbs:
-
Dig holes or trenches 2-3 times as deep as the bulb’s height. Loosening the soil will allow the roots to penetrate easily.
-
Create a mound of soil in the bottom of each hole. The crown (where the leaves emerge) should sit just atop the mound.
-
Place the bulb on the mound with the roots spread out. The crown should be 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Any deeper risks rot.
-
Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the roots. Avoid compacting it too much.
-
Water thoroughly after planting.
The root depth depends on the bulb size. Miniature varieties may sit just an inch down, while large daylilies could be 3-4 inches deep. If unsure, err on the shallow side.
Growing Conditions for Daylilies
Daylilies thrive in full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is ideal as it dries dew from the leaves, preventing disease. Partial shade in hot climates is tolerated.
The plants enjoy moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost or manure. Heavier clay soil benefits from amendments like peat moss or pine bark to improve drainage. Fertilizing in spring with a balanced formula like 10-10-10 promotes growth.
While daylilies tolerate drought once established, consistent water during the first year aids root development. In general, about 1 inch of water per week from rain or irrigation is sufficient. More is needed in very hot, dry weather. Mulch conserves moisture and cools the soil.
Caring for Daylilies After Planting
The first year after planting daylily bulbs is focused on nurturing root establishment for better growth and flowering in subsequent seasons. Here are some care tips:
-
Water 1-2 times per week for the first 2 months, then weekly for the remainder of the first year. Deep watering encourages deep roots.
-
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch like wood chips or pine straw around plants. Replenish as needed.
-
Fertilize with a balanced formula in early spring and midsummer. Follow label rates.
-
Remove spent flower scapes back to the base after blooming finishes.
-
Cut foliage back in late fall once it turns yellow.
-
Protect first year plants from hard freezes by mounding chopped leaves or straw over the crown.
After the initial year, established daylily care is very minimal. Fertilizing, deadheading, and mulching are all that’s needed for a fantastic display.
The Best Daylily Varieties to Grow
With over 80,000 registered cultivars, choosing the right daylilies for your garden can be overwhelming! Here are some top picks for beauty and performance:
-
‘Prairie Blue Eyes’ – Lavender blooms with yellow throats bloom spring to fall.
-
‘Primal Scream’ – Vibrant orange-red flowers with slightly ruffled petals.
-
‘Purple d’Oro’ – Large royal purple blossoms from early to late summer.
-
‘Fooled Me’ – Pale pink double flowers resemble peonies.
-
‘Moonlit Masquerade’ – Frilly yellow flowers with red eyezones and green throats.
-
‘Bela Lugosi’ – Near-black blooms with lime green centers.
-
‘Mary Todd’ – Fragrant bright yellow flowers with recurved petals.
-
‘Autumn Minaret’ – Rich red spider-type blooms in late summer.
Visit local nurseries to view colors and forms firsthand. Blend early, mid, and late season varieties for months of color.
Troubleshooting Problems with Daylilies
When planted at the proper depth and cared for correctly, daylilies are largely trouble-free. Issues that may arise include:
-
Few or no flowers – Ensure the plant gets full sun. Fertilize in spring and midsummer. Divide overcrowded clumps.
-
Foliage yellows – Treat with iron supplements or sulfate fertilizers if soil pH is too high.
-
Leaf spots – Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Remove affected foliage.
-
Aphids – Knock off with a strong spray of water. Insecticidal soap also controls them.
-
Flower scapes flop over – Stake taller varieties to keep blooms upright if needed.
-
Roots heaved from soil – Mulch plants to prevent frost heaving.
With the right conditions and proper planting depth, daylilies will thrive for years in gardens across the country. Their low maintenance, drought tolerance, and weeks of cheery blooms make them a staple of perennial beds and borders. Just be sure to plant the bulbs at the correct depth, and you’ll be rewarded with their beautiful blossoms all season long.
Preparing The Site/Working The Soil
Its worth taking the time to dig a proper hole and amend the soil. Youll get bigger, healthier plants with more flowers. 1. Spade or rototill the soil to a depth of 12-15″. 2. Mix in a generous 2-4″ layer of dehydrated manure, garden compost and Brecks Food for Bulbs and Perennials.
If your soil is already rich garden loam and well drained, the addition of Brecks Food for Bulbs and Perennials will provide the ideal conditions recommended by Brecks Dutch bulb experts for superior growth and blooming.
If you have a clay soil, you may need to amend for drainage. A good solution is to mix compost and rock dust or crushed stone into your soil.
If you have sandy soil, amend with compost and possibly clay to increase the retention of nutrients. This will also help to better retain moisture.
Where To Plant Daylilies
Choose a site with the following characteristics: 1. Full sun to partial shade (for instance, morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled sun throughout the day). Daylilies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom. 2. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Daylilies tolerate a wide range of pH, but soil with a pH of 6.5-7 is ideal. Adjusting the pH is normally not necessary. 3. Moist, well-drained soil of any type, from clay to sand. Daylilies tolerate a wide variety of soils but perform best in those that are moist and well drained.
Daylily Growing Guide! How to Plant, Grow and Divide Daylilies // Bare Root Daylilies
FAQ
How many daylily bulbs should I plant together?
Spacing: Daylilies will eventually expand to form large clumps up to three feet in diameter. So, by spacing your new plants two feet or more apart initially, you can avoid having to dig and move them as they grow in. However, if you want added impact in the early years, space your new plants about 18” apart.
Should I soak daylily bulbs before planting?
Since daylilies are shipped bare root, if they look a bit dried out, just soak them for a few hours in some water before planting.
Can daylilies be planted too deep?
Daylilies should not be planted too deeply. Plant the new divisions at same depth as the original plant. A safe rule of thumb is to set the new division so that the point where roots and foliage meet is no deeper than one inch below the surface of the soil.
How do you plant daylilies?
Dig holes and form a small mound of soil in the bottom of the hole. Plant your Daylilies so that the roots are fanned out over the mound and the crown is no more than 1” below the soil surface. Cover the roots with soil. Water generously after planting to soak the soil and settle it around the roots.
How do daylilies grow?
True lilies grow from onion-like bulbs and are of the genus Lilium, as are Asiatic and Oriental lilies. In the case of daylilies, leaves grow from a crown, and the flowers form on leafless stems—called “scapes”—which rise above the foliage. There are thousands of beautiful daylilies to choose from.
How much sunlight do daylilies need?
Daylilies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom. 2. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Daylilies tolerate a wide range of pH, but soil with a pH of 6.5-7 is ideal. Adjusting the pH is normally not necessary. 3. Moist, well-drained soil of any type, from clay to sand.
When should I plant daylilies?
Daylilies for spring planting are best planted in early to mid spring. It’s possible that the daylilies will have sprouted during shipment. This is quite normal and will not affect the growth of your plants. If this has occurred, we suggest that you trim the shoots back to approximately 1-2″ immediately after unpacking.
How do you care for daylilies?
Fill in the soil, lightly packing it down around the plant. Water until the soil is well saturated. Daylilies require little to no care and can even survive with neglect, but if you want these flowers to thrive and perform at their best, here’s how to give them a little TLC. Water newly planted daylilies once a week until established.
How do you transplant a daylily?
Each piece should have at least one fan or eye (sprout). Transplanting a daylily is best done in the fall or early spring. To lift an established daylily, loosen the plant from the soil with a large garden fork or spade, work your way around the plant, and gently pry it from the ground.