Dividing Daylilies

Divide Those Daylilies

The dependable daylilies, members of the genus Hemerocallis, provide a multitude of brightly colored flowers in mid summer. As their name implies, each individual flower lasts only one day, but the large number of image of daylilies in bloom

flowers on each stem provide a three week period of bloom for most cultivars. There are nearly 60,000 different daylily cultivars that range in color from near white through yellow, orange, and red, to brown and violet. These tough perennials have a reputation for low maintenance and require little in the way of special care. Daylilies are very adaptable and can be grown in almost any soil in every corner of the country. They bloom best if given full sun, and they produce more flowers if they are divided periodically. Division is also a great way to expand your planting and share plants with gardening friends. Late summer is the best time to divide your daylilies. Their roots will have time to grow before winter comes if this task is completed in early September. Below you'll find step-by-step instructions for dividing daylilies. If you'd like to see award-winning daylilies, visit our Daylily Gallery.

image of a daylily that needs to be divided

<<<
This large, mature clump of daylilies is in need of renovation to improve its vigor. The center of the clump has thin foliage and fewer flower stalks with less flowers. Daylilies are very hardy and can be divided early spring through mid fall. The best time to divide daylilies is shortly after they have finished flowering in late summer to early fall.

image of a daylily clump with mulch raked away

>>>
Prepare the area by raking the mulch away from the plant. Give yourself enough room to work around the clump.

image of a daylily being lifted with a garden fork

<<<
It is easiest and most effective to use a garden fork to lift the clump from the ground. Start by placing the fork in the ground 6 to 12 inches away from the base of the plant. Gently push down on the handle to pry the clump up and out of the soil. Work around the root ball repeating this process until the roots are freed.

image of a daylily clump that has just been lifted from the soil

>>>
The root ball with soil can be lifted from the hole.

image of a daylily clump with two garden forks in it

<<<
Inspection of the clump at this point will generally reveal weak or thin areas at the center of the clump. Plunge two garden forks, placed back to back, into the clump. After the forks are fully inserted, gently push the handles apart. This will cause the roots to separate, forming two smaller clumps. If you are dealing with a really large clump or want more divisions, you can repeat this process on the divisions you have just made.

image of a daylily division ready to be planted

>>>
If you simply want to renew your daylilies, you can plant large divisions such as this.

image of a planting hole for a daylily

<<<
Dig a wide shallow hole. The depth should be slightly less than the height of the rootball. The width of the hole should be 6 to 9 inches greater than the width of the rootball.

image of a daylily division that has just been planted and mulched

>>>
Place the rootball in the hole and backfill with soil. Lightly tamp the soil into place. Apply mulch to a depth of one inch to discourage weeds and protect the roots from drying out and from temperature extremes. The area should be watered thoroughly. As a finishing touch, the foliage may be cut back to a length of about 12" which helps the plant retain moisture while it is getting established.

image of three small daylily divisions

<<<
New plants from mail order nurseries usually are sold as small clumps or single sprouts with one growing point. If you want to fill a larger spot in the perennial border more quickly, you can plant a group of these smaller divisions in one planting hole.

image of a planting hole with three mounds of earth for three small daylily divisions

>>>
Make three mounds of soil in the large planting hole
to accomodate the three divisions.

image of daylily divisions with roots fanned out over the small mounds of soil

<<<
Fan the roots out over the mounds of soil that you have created.

image of three daylily divisions planted in a large hole

>>>
Backfill with soil and tamp it gently around the roots. Mulch with an inch-thick layer of mulch and water thoroughly.

image of daylily flowers

<<<
Your newly divided daylilies will reward you with extra bloom for years to come. Most daylily varieties may be left untouched for a period of four or five years before they need to be divided again.

Back to the Arboretum Home Page

Arboretum Information || Events & Education || Gardens & Horticulture || Research Activities
Support the Arboretum || New Plant Introductions || USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map || Comments
Search Our Site

Last Updated September 12, 2003 2:13 PM
URL = ../../Gardens/faqs/DaylilyDivided.html

narj