Daylily vs Fig Tree

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

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Fig Tree

Ficus carica

Moraceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Fig Tree (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Fig Tree
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Ficus carica
Family	Asparagaceae	Moraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Well-drained
Height	3'	20'
Spread	2'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	Green (inside fruit)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Mediterranean, Western Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Fig Tree

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Daylily

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

Fig Tree

✓Self-fertile — one tree is sufficient.
✓Protect in winter in zones 7-8 with wrapping or burying.
✓Container-grow in colder zones.
✓Prune to maintain size.
✓Figs fruit on current year's growth.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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

Choose Fig Tree if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View DaylilyProfile →View Fig TreeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Fig Tree grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Fig Tree grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 10.

Do Daylily and Fig Tree have the same sun and water needs?

Daylily needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Fig Tree needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Daylily or Fig Tree?

Fig Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Daylily at 3'. Fig Tree spreads 20' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Fig Tree deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Fig Tree?

Both Daylily and Fig Tree 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	Daylily	Fig Tree
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Ficus carica
Family	Asparagaceae	Moraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Well-drained
Height	3'	20'
Spread	2'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	Green (inside fruit)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Mediterranean, Western Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Daylily

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

Fig Tree

✓Self-fertile — one tree is sufficient.
✓Protect in winter in zones 7-8 with wrapping or burying.
✓Container-grow in colder zones.
✓Prune to maintain size.
✓Figs fruit on current year's growth.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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

Choose Fig Tree if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Fig Tree grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Fig Tree grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 10.

Do Daylily and Fig Tree have the same sun and water needs?

Daylily needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Fig Tree needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Daylily or Fig Tree?

Fig Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Daylily at 3'. Fig Tree spreads 20' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Fig Tree deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Fig Tree?

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