How to Grow Thumbprint Daylily
Thumbprint Daylily
Hemerocallis 'Thumbprint'
flowerThumbprint Daylily is a stunning ornamental perennial that produces vibrant, velvety deep purple or burgundy flowers with contrasting yellow throats and distinctive dark burgundy markings that resemble thumbprints. Each flower blooms for only one day, but the plant produces numerous buds in succession throughout the blooming season. This daylily is prized for its dramatic coloring and reliable performance in garden settings.
When should you plant Thumbprint Daylily 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 Thumbprint Daylily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Thumbprint Daylily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Thumbprint Daylily blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Thumbprint Daylily dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; performs exceptionally well in zones 4-8
Sign up free to see if Thumbprint Daylily grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Thumbprint Daylily timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy/Spring Emergence
4-6 weeksPlant is dormant over winter; new foliage emerges in spring as upright, strap-like leaves
Remove dead foliage from previous year; apply balanced fertilizer as new growth appears
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksClumps expand with increasingly tall, arching foliage; no flowers yet present
Water regularly, maintain consistent moisture, deadhead any weak or diseased foliage
Bud Formation & Early Bloom
2-3 weeksTall scapes (flower stems) emerge above foliage with multiple buds clustered at the tips; first flowers open
Water consistently; apply diluted liquid fertilizer or bloom-boosting fertilizer; stake tall stems if needed
Peak Blooming
3-6 weeksNumerous velvety deep purple flowers with yellow throats and burgundy markings open in succession; continuous display
Deadhead spent flowers daily to encourage more blooms; water deeply; monitor for pests
Post-Bloom & Senescence
8-10 weeksFlowers decline, scapes fade, foliage begins to yellow and die back in fall
Reduce watering gradually; do not fertilize; cut back dead foliage after hard frost; apply mulch
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation is severe
-
Remove affected flowers; apply insecticidal soap or spinosad; improve air circulation
-
Spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if population is high
-
and
Hand-pick; create barriers with crushed eggshells or copper tape; apply organic slug bait if needed
Uses
Edible Flowers & Buds
CulinaryDaylily buds and flowers are edible and used in Asian cuisines, particularly Chinese cooking. They have a slightly sweet flavor and can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked. [source]
Traditional Herbal Medicine
MedicinalIn traditional Chinese medicine, dried daylily flowers (called 'golden needles') are used to support liver health and emotional balance. Modern herbalists study compounds in daylily flowers for potential health benefits. [source]
Cut Flower & Floral Design
HouseholdThough individual flowers last only one day, the succession of blooms makes Thumbprint excellent for cutting. The striking deep purple and yellow coloring adds drama to arrangements. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeDaylily flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making them excellent for pollinator gardens and supporting beneficial insect populations. [source]
Ornamental Landscaping
CraftWith their stunning dramatic coloring and reliable perennial performance, Thumbprint Daylilies are perfect for border gardens, mass plantings, and focal points in mixed perennial beds. [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 perennials grown for flowers, not harvested in the traditional sense. Cut individual blooms for short-lived fresh arrangements (each flower lasts only one day). Cut stems in early morning when flowers first open. Some cultures eat daylily buds and flowers; harvest buds before they open if using for culinary purposes.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'daylily' refers to the fact that each flower blooms for only 24 hours, opening in the morning and closing by evening—yet a single plant produces dozens of blooms in succession over several weeks.
- 🌱 Daylilies are among the easiest perennials to grow and naturalize, and have become so popular that over 80,000 registered cultivars exist worldwide, making them one of the most hybridized ornamental plants.
- 🌱 The Thumbprint cultivar's distinctive dark burgundy markings on the flower petals create a visual signature that resembles thumbprints, which is the origin of its charming common name.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Thumbprint Daylily planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Thumbprint Daylily 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 Thumbprint Daylily timeline →