Doronenko / CC BY 2.5
garden
Daylily
Hemerocallis
EdibleMedicinalToxic — Use Caution
Edible PartsFlowers
Overview
Despite the name, daylilies are not true lilies but incredibly resilient perennials whose individual flowers each last just one day — but a single plant can produce dozens of buds for weeks of continuous bloom. Nearly all parts are edible and have been eaten in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years. Be sure to eat only Hemerocallis species, as true lilies (Lilium) can be toxic.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones5a — 9
Height0.91m
Spread0.73m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Bloom ColorOrange
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeAdaptable; performs best in fertile, well-drained soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant in spring or fall; virtually indestructible |
| Moderate (5-7) | Divide | Mar — Apr | Divide every 3-5 years; replant divisions immediately |
Uses
Culinary
- Flower buds stir-fried or battered and fried (golden needles)
- Open flowers stuffed with cheese or dip
- Young spring shoots eaten like asparagus
Medicinal
- Root traditionally used in Chinese medicine as a mild sedative
- Flowers contain compounds studied for antidepressant effects
- Rich in vitamins A and C
Other Uses
- Virtually indestructible ornamental perennial
- Erosion control on slopes and banks
- Over 80,000 registered cultivars for collectors
Safety Notes
Large quantities of the leaves are said to be hallucinogenic. Blanching the leaves removes this hallucinatory component[205]. (This report does not make clear what it means by blanching, it could be excluding light from the growing shoots or immersing in boiling water[K].)
