Daffodil vs Daylily

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Daffodil

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Amaryllidaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daffodil (Zones 3-8)

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daffodil	Daylily
Scientific Name	Narcissus pseudonarcissus	Hemerocallis spp.
Family	Amaryllidaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	1' 6"	3'
Spread	6"	2'
Bloom Season	Early Spring	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, White, Orange	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Daffodil

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Daffodil

✓Plant 6 inches deep in fall.
✓Let foliage yellow naturally for 6 weeks after bloom.
✓Divide when clumps become crowded and bloom declines.
✓Never braid or remove foliage early.

Daylily

✓Remove spent scapes after blooming.
✓Divide every 3-5 years when clumps become crowded.
✓Virtually pest and disease free.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Daffodil if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Daylily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

View DaffodilProfile →View DaylilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daffodil and Daylily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daffodil grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Daylily grows in zones 3-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Daffodil and Daylily have the same sun and water needs?

Daffodil needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Daylily needs full sun to part shade and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Daffodil or Daylily?

Daylily grows taller at 3' compared to Daffodil at 1' 6". Daylily spreads 2' while Daffodil spreads 6".

Are Daffodil and Daylily deer resistant?

Daffodil is deer resistant, but Daylily is not. If deer are a concern, Daffodil is the better choice, or protect Daylily with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Daffodil or Daylily?

Both Daffodil and Daylily have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daffodil	Daylily
Scientific Name	Narcissus pseudonarcissus	Hemerocallis spp.
Family	Amaryllidaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	bulbs	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	1' 6"	3'
Spread	6"	2'
Bloom Season	Early Spring	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, White, Orange	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	Europe	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Daffodil

✓Plant 6 inches deep in fall.
✓Let foliage yellow naturally for 6 weeks after bloom.
✓Divide when clumps become crowded and bloom declines.
✓Never braid or remove foliage early.

Daylily

✓Remove spent scapes after blooming.
✓Divide every 3-5 years when clumps become crowded.
✓Virtually pest and disease free.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Daffodil if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Daylily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daffodil and Daylily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daffodil grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Daylily grows in zones 3-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 8.

Do Daffodil and Daylily have the same sun and water needs?

Daffodil needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Daylily needs full sun to part shade and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Daffodil or Daylily?

Daylily grows taller at 3' compared to Daffodil at 1' 6". Daylily spreads 2' while Daffodil spreads 6".

Are Daffodil and Daylily deer resistant?

Daffodil is deer resistant, but Daylily is not. If deer are a concern, Daffodil is the better choice, or protect Daylily with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Daffodil or Daylily?

Both Daffodil and Daylily have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.