Daylily vs Orange Tree

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

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Orange Tree

Citrus sinensis

Rutaceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Orange Tree (Zones 9-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Orange Tree
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Citrus sinensis
Family	Asparagaceae	Rutaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	3'	30'
Spread	2'	25'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Southeast Asia, China
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Orange Tree

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.

Orange Tree

✓Protect from frost.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer 3-4 times per year.
✓Water deeply and consistently.
✓Prune only to shape.
✓Pest management for citrus greening disease.

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 Orange Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View DaylilyProfile →View Orange TreeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Orange Tree grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 10.

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

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

Which grows taller, Daylily or Orange Tree?

Orange Tree grows taller at 30' compared to Daylily at 3'. Orange Tree spreads 25' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Orange Tree deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Orange Tree?

Daylily has low maintenance while Orange Tree has medium maintenance. Daylily may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Orange Tree
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Citrus sinensis
Family	Asparagaceae	Rutaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Well-drained, Sandy
Height	3'	30'
Spread	2'	25'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Southeast Asia, China
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Daylily

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

Orange Tree

✓Protect from frost.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer 3-4 times per year.
✓Water deeply and consistently.
✓Prune only to shape.
✓Pest management for citrus greening disease.

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 Orange Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Orange Tree grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 10.

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

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

Which grows taller, Daylily or Orange Tree?

Orange Tree grows taller at 30' compared to Daylily at 3'. Orange Tree spreads 25' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Orange Tree deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Orange Tree?

Daylily has low maintenance while Orange Tree has medium maintenance. Daylily may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.