How to Grow Daylily Sundried Tomato
Wikimedia Commons
Daylily Sundried Tomato
Hemerocallis 'Sundried Tomato'
flowerA vibrant daylily cultivar featuring deep reddish-orange blooms with a warm, tomato-like coloration that gives it its distinctive name. The flowers are medium-sized with a slightly ruffled form and typically bloom in mid to late summer. Each bloom lasts only one day, but the plant produces numerous buds ensuring continuous flowering over several weeks.
When should you plant Daylily Sundried Tomato in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Daylily Sundried Tomato timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Daylily Sundried Tomato
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Daylily Sundried Tomato blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Daylily Sundried Tomato dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; thrives in most of North America with excellent cold and heat tolerance
Sign up free to see if Daylily Sundried Tomato grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Daylily Sundried Tomato timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
3-6 monthsNewly planted daylily develops root system and baseline foliage growth. Young plants produce fewer blooms.
Water consistently to establish deep roots. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base. Avoid fertilizing heavily the first year.
Vegetative Growth
Spring through early summerPlant develops full clumps of strap-like, arching green foliage. Multiple fans emerge from the crown creating a dense mound.
Remove any dead or damaged foliage. Monitor for spider mites in dry conditions. Space crowns appropriately to prevent overcrowding.
Bud Formation
2-3 weeks before first bloomTall flower scapes emerge from foliage, with buds developing along the stem. Each scape produces 5-15+ buds depending on variety vigor.
Provide consistent moisture during this stage. Apply balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) or bloom-boosting formula. Stake tall varieties if necessary.
Blooming
4-6 weeks of continuous bloomLarge reddish-orange flowers open in morning, typically closing by evening. New flowers open on consecutive days creating extended color display.
Deadhead spent flowers daily for tidiness, though not required. Continue watering and feeding during bloom period. Enjoy the daily color show.
Post-Bloom
Late summer through fallScapes finish flowering and foliage begins to mature. Plants focus energy on root and crown development for next year.
Cut spent scapes to ground level after all buds finish. Reduce fertilizer. Continue moderate watering. Begin decline in appearance in hot climates.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Increase humidity with morning watering; spray foliage with strong water stream; use neem oil or miticide in severe cases
-
Remove heavily infested buds; spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad; encourage natural predators
-
Spray with water or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; use neem oil
-
and
Remove mulch away from foliage; use copper barriers or slug bait; handpick in evening
-
Remove affected foliage; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide in severe cases
Uses
Edible Flower
CulinaryDaylily buds and flowers are edible with a mild, slightly sweet vegetable-like flavor. Buds can be stir-fried or sautéed, while open flowers work well in salads or as garnish. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalIn Traditional Chinese Medicine, daylily buds (called 'gum jum' or golden needles) are used to support overall wellness and are believed to have cooling and calming properties. [source]
Cut Flower Display
HouseholdIndividual daylily flowers make unique cut flower arrangements, lasting one full day in water. Perfect for same-day special table settings or daily floral refreshes. [source]
Dried Flower Crafts
CraftFlowers can be pressed for crafts, scrapbooking, or floral art projects. Dried buds retain their color well and can be used in potpourri or decorative arrangements. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeDaylilies attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden, providing nectar and pollen throughout the bloom season and supporting beneficial insect populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Daylilies are ornamental flowers primarily enjoyed in the garden. Individual flowers can be cut in early morning for same-day arrangements. For culinary uses, harvest buds in late morning when fully formed but before opening. Mature flowers can be stuffed, sautéed, or used fresh in salads, though 'Sundried Tomato' is grown primarily for landscape beauty.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'daylily' comes from the Greek words 'hemera' (day) and 'callis' (beauty) because each flower blooms for only 24 hours, yet thousands of cultivars exist with bloom times staggered throughout summer.
- 🌱 Despite being called a 'lily,' daylilies are not true lilies botanically; they belong to the family Hemerocallidaceae and are more closely related to asphodels and aloe plants.
- 🌱 'Sundried Tomato' is a tetraploid cultivar, meaning it has four sets of chromosomes instead of two, which often results in larger, more vibrant flowers and greater vigor compared to diploid varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Daylily Sundried Tomato planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Daylily Sundried Tomato seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Daylily Sundried Tomato timeline →