Daylily vs Oriental Lily

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

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Oriental Lily

Lilium orientalis

Liliaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Oriental Lily (Zones 4-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Oriental Lily
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Lilium orientalis
Family	Asparagaceae	Liliaceae
Category	flowers	bulbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained
Height	3'	4'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	White, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Japan
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Oriental Lily

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.

Oriental Lily

✓Plant 8 inches deep.
✓Need acidic soil — add sulfur if needed.
✓Excellent cut flowers.
✓Protect from lily leaf beetle.
✓Toxic to cats.

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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

View DaylilyProfile →View Oriental LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Oriental Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Oriental Lily grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Daylily and Oriental Lily have the same sun and water needs?

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

Oriental Lily grows taller at 4' compared to Daylily at 3'. Oriental Lily spreads 1' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Oriental Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Oriental Lily?

Both Daylily and Oriental Lily 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	Oriental Lily
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Lilium orientalis
Family	Asparagaceae	Liliaceae
Category	flowers	bulbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Acidic, Well-drained
Height	3'	4'
Spread	2'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	White, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Japan
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 Oriental Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Oriental Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

Daylily grows in USDA zones 3-10, while Oriental Lily grows in zones 4-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Daylily and Oriental Lily have the same sun and water needs?

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

Oriental Lily grows taller at 4' compared to Daylily at 3'. Oriental Lily spreads 1' while Daylily spreads 2'.

Are Daylily and Oriental Lily deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Oriental Lily?

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