Daylily vs Kale

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

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Brassicaceae · vegetables

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Kale (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Kale
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Asparagaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	2'
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Kale

Yes — 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.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

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 Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

View DaylilyProfile →View KaleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 10.

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

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

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

Are Daylily and Kale deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Kale?

Both Daylily and Kale 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	Kale
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Asparagaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	2'
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Mediterranean
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.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

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 Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 10.

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

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

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

Are Daylily and Kale deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Kale?

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