Daylily vs Sweet Potato

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

Daylily

Hemerocallis spp.

Asparagaceae · flowers

EdibleLow Maintenance

Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas

Convolvulaceae · vegetables

EdibleDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Daylily (Zones 3-10)

Sweet Potato (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Sweet Potato
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Ipomoea batatas
Family	Asparagaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Loose, Sandy
Height	3'	1'
Spread	2'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	Purple (occasional)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Central/South America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Daylily

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Sweet Potato

Yes — EdibleNo — 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.

Sweet Potato

✓Plant slips (rooted sprouts) after soil warms.
✓Needs loose soil and warm temperatures.
✓Cure harvested tubers at 80°F for 10 days.
✓Don't refrigerate.

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 Sweet Potato if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View DaylilyProfile →View Sweet PotatoProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Sweet Potato grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Daylily and Sweet Potato have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Daylily or Sweet Potato?

Daylily grows taller at 3' compared to Sweet Potato at 1'. Daylily spreads 2' while Sweet Potato spreads 4'.

Are Daylily and Sweet Potato deer resistant?

Neither Daylily nor Sweet Potato is considered deer resistant. In areas with deer, consider protective fencing or deer repellent for both plants.

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Sweet Potato?

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

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Daylily	Sweet Potato
Scientific Name	Hemerocallis spp.	Ipomoea batatas
Family	Asparagaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Loose, Sandy
Height	3'	1'
Spread	2'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Late Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink	Purple (occasional)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Central/South America
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.

Sweet Potato

✓Plant slips (rooted sprouts) after soil warms.
✓Needs loose soil and warm temperatures.
✓Cure harvested tubers at 80°F for 10 days.
✓Don't refrigerate.

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 Sweet Potato if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–10. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Daylily and Sweet Potato grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

Do Daylily and Sweet Potato have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Daylily or Sweet Potato?

Daylily grows taller at 3' compared to Sweet Potato at 1'. Daylily spreads 2' while Sweet Potato spreads 4'.

Are Daylily and Sweet Potato deer resistant?

Neither Daylily nor Sweet Potato is considered deer resistant. In areas with deer, consider protective fencing or deer repellent for both plants.

Which is easier to maintain, Daylily or Sweet Potato?

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