How to Propagate Your Daylilies

Propagating daylilies

Daylilies are used in ornamental flower gardens and in borders. Daylilies can grow from 8 inches to 5 feet tall and produce flowers up to 8 inches wide. The easiest and most popular method of propagating daylilies is through dividing clumps. Daylilies bloom the same year they are split and planted and will reach maturity in four years. Daylilies should be split every three to five years to avoid overcrowding.

Things You'll Need

• Small shovel
• Daylilies
• Compost

Instructions

1. Prepare your daylily bed. Add organic matter to lower the soil to a pH of 6 to 6.5. Ensure adequate drainage or prepare a raised bed.

2. Separate daylily bulbs and roots carefully. Dig up a clump of daylilies, but be careful not to damage the root system.

3. Prune the leaves down to 6 inches from the crown of the plant. Cut the clump with a knife and prune the roots from the clumps.

4. Remove the scape. The scape is a small plant that develops on the roots in preparation of forming another plant; these are called proliferations. Cut the scape below the proliferation.

5. Place the root into potting soil, ensuring that the proliferation is in contact with the soil. Wait for the roots to develop and then transplant the root.

6. Remove any damaged roots before transplanting daylilies.

7. Dig a hole that is larger than the root system using a small shovel. Create a small mound in the center of the hole for the root system to rest on.

8. Place the root on the hill, spread the roots, and loosely fill the hole with dirt. Plant the root so that the crown is 1 inch below the surface of the soil.

9. Water the daylily planting thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Daylilies are typically divided in the spring from February through April and in the late summer, from late July through the middle of September. Fertilize with a light fertilizer to promote growth. Plant daylilies 24 inches apart so they will not have to be thinned for three to five years.

• Thrips, aphids, slugs, spider mites and snails may attack daylilies. Foliage can be damaged by pest infestation. Treat plants with a pesticide.

References

• AllAboutDaylilies.org: How to Propagate Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
• University of Kentucky: Hemerocallis (Daylily) Propagation
• University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program: Daylilies
• University of Florida: Daylilies for Florida
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Tetraploid Daylily - Plant of the Week