How to Propagate Daylily Plants

Although daylily blooms last for only a day, the plants are prolific and each bloom will be quickly replaced with a spectacular new one. In spite of their beauty, daylilies are tough, non-fussy plants that can withstand drought and poor soil. Because lilies are often seen growing wild along roadsides, they are also known as "ditch lilies." Daylilies aren’t difficult to propagate by division, and the chances of survival are excellent.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Spade or garden fork
• Garden shears
• Garden hose
• Trowel or screwdriver

1. Divide daylilies for propagation in early spring or late summer. Use a spade or a garden fork to dig the entire clump of daylilies. Dig 8 to 10 inches from the plant to avoid cutting into the roots.
2. Lift the clump carefully from the soil. Use garden shears to trim the fan-shaped foliage to 6 to 8 inches.
3. Rinse the roots with a garden hose to make the dividing points easier to see. Twist and pull the fans apart with your hands or use a trowel or screwdriver to pry the fans apart.
4. Plant the divided lily sections in a sunny, well-drained spot in your garden. Dig a hole about 1 foot in diameter and create a small mound in the center of the hole. Place the lily section on top of the mound with the roots spread out around the mound. The crown of the plant, which is where the fans join the roots, should be planted no more than 1 inch deep.
5. Cover the roots with soil. Pat the soil gently but firmly around the roots. Water the area deeply so that the soil is completely saturated. After planting, give the daylilies about an inch of water every week.