Plant Details

Hemerocallis spp.

Day lilies

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Hemerocallis spp..

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Day lilies
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Daglelie
French
  • Hémérocalle
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Hemerocallis spp.
Botanical family: Asphodelaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Hemerocallis (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Day lilies

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3-10
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
None

Description

Leaves and young shoots are deliciously sweet in taste when they are young and can be eaten cooked. However, as they age, they become fibrous. Flowers and flower buds can be eaten both raw and cooked, with the quality varying from flower to flower. Some flowers are pleasantly sweet and crunchy, while others may have an unpleasant aftertaste. Generally, the brown/red flowers are tastier than the yellow variants. The root can be eaten both raw and cooked.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/06
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 237697; name ID 277620; Hemerocallis L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.