When to plant daylilies
hardy perennial
The short answer
Early fall or early spring is the best time to plant daylilies; Indiana's ideal window is August 15 to September 30.
What extension services say
- The best time to plant daylilies is early fall or early spring when soil temperatures are moderate; they will tolerate planting at any time of year. Clemson Home & Garden Information Center ↗
- In Indiana the ideal planting time is August 15 through September 30, giving roots time to establish before cold weather. Spring planting is also acceptable but may decrease bloom the first season. Purdue University Extension ↗
- Set the plant so the crown is no deeper than 1 inch below the soil; deep planting often causes browning of foliage and lack of vigor. Purdue University Extension ↗
- Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart (Clemson) or most at least 2 feet apart, with dwarfs closer (Purdue). Clemson Home & Garden Information Center ↗
- Division is usually done after flowering, but plants tolerate division throughout the growing season. Minnesota: transplant or divide in early spring or right after flowering. University of Minnesota Extension ↗
Spacing differs by source (18-24 inches at Clemson, at least 2 feet at Purdue); the larger figure leaves more room for the clump to grow.
Questions gardeners ask
When should you plant daylilies?
Early fall or early spring (Clemson). Purdue's ideal window for Indiana is August 15 through September 30.
How deep do you plant daylilies?
With the crown no deeper than 1 inch below the soil surface (Clemson and Purdue).
Can you plant daylilies in summer?
Clemson says daylilies tolerate planting at any time of year, though early fall and early spring are best.
Sources
- Clemson Home & Garden Information Center: Daylily
- Purdue University Extension: HO-16: Daylilies
- University of Minnesota Extension: Daylilies
Extension advice is local to the state that wrote it. Where the sources differ, both are shown. Dates in the tables are estimates from typical frost dates; your garden’s own last frost can differ by a week or more. How we source data.