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Yellow Day Lily

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
edibleperennialherbsedible
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Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (Yellow Day Lily) — botanical photograph
Pl. 5CBB — Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
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Overview

The Yellow Day Lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus) is a perennial plant native to eastern Asia and parts of Europe, including Albania, China, Italy, Kazakhstan, and Yugoslavia. This rhizomatous plant thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil with a pH range of 4.8 to 8, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. It prefers dry to moist environments and is hardy in zones 4-8. The Yellow Day Lily features distinctive golden-yellow flowers that make it an attractive ornamental plant. Its growth form is rapid, reaching a height and width of approximately 0.6 meters. The plant's foliage has a medium texture, and its drought-resistant nature makes it suitable for gardens with varying moisture levels. Edible parts of the Yellow Day Lily include its flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots. Flowers can be eaten raw or used in salads for their delicate flavor. Leaves and shoots are typically cooked like other greens, while roots can be prepared by boiling or roasting before consumption. This plant is easy to cultivate through division or seed sowing. While the Yellow Day Lily is generally safe, it is important to note that it is toxic for cats. Its ability to propagate through division or seed sowing makes it a manageable addition to any garden. The plant's hardiness and ornamental value make it a versatile choice for both edible and aesthetic purposes in temperate regions.

Quick answers

What is Yellow Day Lily?

The Yellow Day Lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus) is a perennial plant native to eastern Asia and parts of Europe, including Albania, China, Italy, Kazakhstan, and Yugoslavia. This rhizomatous plant thrives in light, medium, or heavy soil with a pH range of 4.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Yellow Day Lily thrives in light to medium soil and prefers a pH range of 4.8 to 8. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 4-8. This perennial requires well-draining soil but can tolerate dry to moist conditions. Provide full sun for best flowering, though partial shade is acceptable. Propagate through division or direct sow seeds six weeks after the last frost. The plant grows to about 0.6 meters in both height and width, making it a manageable addition to any garden. Harvest edible parts including flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots.
Light
7/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m × 0.6 m
Soil pH
4.8–8
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is November
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
Propagation
Division, Seed - direct sow
Sow outdoors
6 weeks after last frost
For first-time growers

How to grow Yellow Day Lily for the first time

8steps

Start with Yellow Day Lilies to gain experience in gardening basics.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Yellow Day Lily bulbs, a trowel, and a garden fork.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring or late summer after the last frost.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure soil is well-draining with a pH between 4.8-8; loosen the topsoil for better root growth.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Divide bulbs in spring, planting them about 5 cm deep and 10 cm apart.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged; mulch around the plants for added moisture retention.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced fertilizer and again after flowering. Keep weeds at bay.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune dead leaves to maintain plant health; cut back spent flower stalks for a tidier appearance.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to mulch, and not dividing bulbs regularly.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootShoots
Edible uses: The Yellow Day Lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus) is edible and its flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots can be consumed. The flowers are often eaten raw or used in salads for their delicate flavor. Leaves and shoots are typically cooked like other greens, while the roots can be prepared by boiling or roasting before consumption.
Other uses:Weaving materialGround coverFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

15 native · 48 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 15 native· 48 introduced
Europe10 regions
native (3)AlbaniaItalyRussia
introduced (7)AustriaBulgariaFranceGermanyHungaryPortugalRomania
Asia5 regions
native (4)ChinaKazakhstanMongoliaSouth Korea
introduced (1)Thailand
Americas5 regions
introduced (5)CubaDominican RepublicHaitiJamaicaPuerto Rico
Oceania1 region
introduced (1)Fiji
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Eastern Asia, Khabarovsk, Primorye, Yugoslavia
introduced:Arkansas, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Leeward Is., Maine, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Brunswick, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Windward Is., Wisconsin
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (Yellow Day Lily) — botanical photograph
Yellow Day Lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus)
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