Daylilies need full sun, but they do not need day-long direct sunlight. They can also survive in partial shade very well. Ideally, daylilies should be planted in an area that receives at least 4 hours of full sun each day. All-day sun is sometimes too much, so 4 to 6 hours daily is the perfect medium. If daylilies only get shade, they may not bloom and they may lose their attractive appearance.
How Many Hours of Sun Do Daylilies Need?
Daylilies need 4 to 6 hours of sun each day in order to thrive and put forth large, colorful blooms. They do not typically do well in full shade, but they also should not be over-exposed to the sun.
- Daylilies require 4–6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- The best time to give daylilies their sun is early in the day.
- Daylilies require a delicate balance of sun and shade.
Both too much sun and too much shade can have a detrimental effect on your daylilies. For the healthiest plants, provide 4 to 6 hours of full sun in the morning or early in the day, followed by protection from the harsh sun in the afternoon.
Can Daylilies Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Daylilies can grow in indirect sunlight and will not typically wilt and die. However, you may not get the satisfactory results you’re looking for. For example, daylilies are considered “leaners,” which simply means they will lean in the direction of full sun if they are deprived of it.
- Daylilies can grow in indirect light.
- Blooms may not be as big and bold if daylilies don’t get enough full sun.
- Foliage will not grow as full and lush on daylilies that don’t receive appropriate sun.
- To preserve their beautiful appearance, make sure your daylilies get adequate direct sunlight.
Additionally, blooms will not be as big and lustrous if your daylilies only get indirect light. Foliage will also fail to develop as full and lush as it would in full sun. Therefore, to preserve their nice appearance and keep them from leaning or producing smaller than average blooms, it’s best to make sure your daylilies receive full sun.
Can Daylilies Grow in Shade?
Daylilies can grow in shade, but the results will not be very satisfactory. They will not necessarily die, but they may fail to bloom entirely, and if they do bloom, the flowers will be abnormally small. The foliage will not grow full and lush either, and it may develop a leggy appearance.
- Daylilies can grow in shade, but the results are not usually satisfactory.
- Daylilies grown in shade may not bloom.
- The foliage of daylilies that don’t receive sun will not fully develop.
- Daylilies will lean toward the light, even if they fold over completely.
In addition, daylilies will continue to grow toward light even if they bow completely over. Since all these occurrences will essentially ruin their beautiful appearance, it is not advisable to grow daylilies in shade.
What Happens if Daylilies Don’t Get Enough Sun?
What happens to daylilies that don’t get enough sun directly depends on the extent of sun deprivation they experience. If they get only a bit less than the recommended amount, you may not notice much difference at all. However, if they are significantly sun-deprived, they may develop smaller flowers, and their leaves may grow in a sparse, erratic pattern.
- Daylilies don’t thrive if they don’t receive enough sun.
- If they are only slightly sun-deprived, there may not be much difference.
- A significant lack of sun will ruin the beautiful appearance of most daylilies.
If they are deprived of all sun, daylilies may fail to bloom entirely, and will probably lose their attractive appearance. So, sunny locations are a must when planting your daylilies.
Can Daylilies Get Too Much Sun?
Daylilies can get too much sun. They are not fussy about soil and are somewhat drought resistant, but as with any flower, sun scorch is a possibility. Signs of sun scorch include wilting and discoloration of the leaves and flowers.
- It’s possible for daylilies to get too much sun.
- Signs of sun scorch include blooms dying prematurely.
- Daylilies that are overexposed to the sun may become discolored and feature a brownish-yellow tint.
- Giving daylilies full sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon is the best way to avoid sun scorch.
Sun scorch usually begins at the outer edges and manifests as a noticeably brownish-yellow tint. The flowers may also die and drop prematurely if they get too much sun. The best way to avoid any of these problems is to give them their full sun in the morning and provide shade when the sun is harsh in the afternoon.
Daylily Sun Requirements
Daylilies need full sun, and 4–6 hours per day is the perfect range. Too much sun or too much shade can ruin their beautiful appearance.
- Daylilies require a minimum of 4 hours of full sun each day.
- Up to 6 hours of direct sunlight typically won’t hurt your daylilies.
- Failure to give your daylilies sun may result in no blooms.
- Daylilies that don’t get adequate sunlight will lean and grow wild in search of light.
- Planting locations with morning sun and afternoon shade are best for daylilies.
In order to prevent leaning flower stalks, make sure daylilies get several hours of full sunlight each day. East-facing plantings are ideal for daylilies, but they can also thrive in south and west-facing plantings if they are given a bit of shade to protect from the afternoon heat.