Growing a Daylily in a Pot?

Question:

Can I grow a Daylily plant in pot to be kept indoors?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Jenny from Milwaukee

Answer:

Jenny,

Daylilies can be grown in pots quite easily, but growing them in pots indoors requires a lot of extra work. In an outdoor environment, these perennials are almost bomb proof. They are not particularly fussy about soil conditions, most will tolerate at least some shade, and they are very drought tolerant and resistant to damage from insects and disease. On the other hand, it you want to grow daylilies indoors and get them to bloom, they will need A LOT of extra (artificial) light, and regular fertilizing and you'll need to maintain control of their humidity. Insects, especially spider mites and white flies, are also more problematic in lilies grown indoors.

Like other perennials, daylilies will go through a natural period of rest. Then, if in the spring you decide you want to move them outdoors, you'll need to gradually harden them off and let them adjust to the intensity of natural sunlight. All this effort will not guarantee flowers, but it is possible. If you're going to give it a try, look for dwarf varieties (miniatures), which have blooms less than 3 inches across and only grow to a height of around 12 inches.

Daylily seedlings can be started indoors and daylilies grown in outdoor containers can be brought indoors and over-wintered in a garage or basement after they die back in the fall.

Ellen