Daylily vs Holly

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

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Holly

Ilex opaca

Aquifoliaceae · shrubs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Holly (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Holly
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Ilex opaca
Family	Asparagaceae	Aquifoliaceae
Category	flowers	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Acidic, Well-drained
Height	3'	40'
Spread	2'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	East Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Holly

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Daylily

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

Holly

✓Need both male and female plants for berries.
✓One male can pollinate 6-8 females.
✓Prune in winter for holiday decorations.
✓Tolerates heavy shading.

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 Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

View DaylilyProfile →View HollyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Holly grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Holly grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

Daylily needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Holly 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, Daylily or Holly?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Daylily at 3'. Holly spreads 20' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Holly deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Holly?

Both Daylily and Holly 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	Holly
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Ilex opaca
Family	Asparagaceae	Aquifoliaceae
Category	flowers	shrubs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Acidic, Well-drained
Height	3'	40'
Spread	2'	20'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	East Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

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 Holly if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Holly grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Holly grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

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

Daylily needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Holly 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, Daylily or Holly?

Holly grows taller at 40' compared to Daylily at 3'. Holly spreads 20' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Holly deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Holly?

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