Grassleaf Day Lily
Hemerocallis minor
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 →
Pl. B047 — Hemerocallis minor
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IOverview
Overview
Grassleaf Day Lily (Hemerocallis minor) is a perennial herb native to the northern regions of Asia, including areas such as Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, and China North-Central. This plant thrives in various habitats, from dry soils to moist conditions, and can be found growing in light to partial sun or shade. Known for its edible parts—flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots—this day lily is a valuable source of food in its native range. One distinctive feature of the Grassleaf Day Lily is its ability to grow up to 0.5 meters tall, making it an attractive addition to gardens while also serving as a useful culinary ingredient.
Quick answers
What is Grassleaf Day Lily?
Grassleaf Day Lily (Hemerocallis minor) is a perennial herb native to the northern regions of Asia, including areas such as Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, and China North-Central. This plant thrives in various habitats, from dry soils to moist conditions, and can be found growing in light to partial sun or shade.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Grassleaf Day Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8, making it suitable for temperate regions. The plant requires moist soil but can tolerate dry conditions once established. For propagation, division of the roots works best during spring or fall. Edible parts include flowers, leaves, root, and shoots, which are all safe to consume.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.5 m tall
Soil pH
4.8–8
For first-time growers
How to grow Grassleaf Day Lily for the first time
8steps
Start with Grassleaf Day Lilies by planting them in a sunny spot and providing well-draining soil.
- 1
What you'll need
Grassleaf Day Lily plants, garden gloves, trowel, watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early fall when the weather is cooler.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. Ensure soil is well-draining and not too heavy.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants from nursery pots into your garden, spacing them about 30 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Water the newly planted lilies regularly to help establish their roots. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering during dry spells and mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves in late winter to maintain plant health. Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to mulch.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootShoots
Edible uses: Grassleaf Day Lily (Hemerocallis minor) is edible and can be consumed in various forms. The flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots are all usable parts of the plant. Typically, the flowers are eaten raw or used to make tea, while the leaves and roots are often cooked before consumption. Shoots can be prepared similarly to other vegetables.
Other uses:Weaving materialFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
16 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
16 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 16 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia3 regions
native (3)ChinaMongoliaSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Primorye, Tuva, Yakutskiya
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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