Can You Use Daylilies for Tea? The Edibility and Safety Guide

In traditional Chinese cuisine, dried daylily buds, known as 'golden needles,' have been a popular ingredient for centuries. This edible flowering perennial, from the genus Hemerocallis, is not only a delight in savory dishes but can also be brewed into a mild, calming herbal tea. With proper identification and preparation, it is possible to enjoy a unique, subtly flavored floral beverage straight from your garden.

Quick Summary

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) can be made into a mild, calming herbal tea using the fresh or dried flowers. It is crucial to correctly identify daylilies and not confuse them with toxic true lilies or other lookalikes. Benefits include antioxidants and calming effects.

Key Points

• Edibility Confirmation: Yes, daylily flowers and buds are edible and can be brewed into a tea, but only from the Hemerocallis genus, not true lilies (Lilium).

• Crucial Identification: It is critical to differentiate daylilies from toxic true lilies and other lookalikes like irises to prevent poisoning.

• Start Small: Some individuals may experience digestive upset from daylilies; begin with a small amount to test your reaction.

• Pesticide-Free Source: Always harvest daylilies from a clean, pesticide-free environment, avoiding roadsides or treated gardens.

• Calming Properties: Historically and in traditional medicine, daylily tea has been used for its potential calming effects and to reduce anxiety.

• Flavor Profile: The tea offers a mild, slightly sweet, and delicate floral flavor, which can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Yes, You Can Make Daylily Tea—But Read This First

While the answer is a resounding yes, making tea from daylilies (genus Hemerocallis) is only safe with proper identification and preparation. The vibrant, common orange daylily, Hemerocallis fulva, is a well-documented edible species, and the flowers and buds are widely used in Asian cultures. However, the name 'daylily' is easily confused with other, often toxic, lily species (Lilium genus). Before you proceed, you must be confident you have correctly identified your plant.

Critical Safety Precautions Before You Brew

1. Identify Your Plant Correctly.

• True Lilies vs. Daylilies: Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are not true lilies (Lilium). True lilies are highly toxic, especially to cats, and can cause digestive issues in other animals. Daylilies have long, blade-like leaves and grow from fleshy roots and tubers, not bulbs like true lilies.
• Poisonous Lookalikes: Other plants, like irises, can be mistaken for daylilies in their early growth stages. Iris shoots are a dangerous lookalike; daylily shoots almost form little pockets at the top, whereas iris shoots look like blades.

2. Check for Pesticides.

• Never harvest flowers from a plant that has been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. Always harvest from a clean, organic source, whether it’s your own garden or a known wild patch. Avoid plants along roadsides where they may have been treated with chemicals.

3. Start with Small Amounts.

• Some people experience mild digestive upset after consuming daylilies, especially when raw. It is recommended to try a small amount first to gauge your body's reaction.

4. Cook Some Parts.

• While flowers can be used raw, some sources suggest that raw leaves in large quantities can have a hallucinogenic effect, which is removed by blanching. Cooking parts of the daylily is generally safer and can enhance flavor.

Preparing Daylily Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide

Harvesting and Drying Daylily Flowers

For a traditional and longer-lasting tea, you can dry the flowers. This method also concentrates their flavor.

1. Harvest: Pick freshly opened daylily flowers in the morning. For the traditional Chinese 'golden needle' tea, harvest the mature flower buds just as they begin to open.
2. Clean: Gently rinse the flowers to remove any dirt or insects. Remove the stamens as a precaution against pollen-related reactions.
3. Steam (Optional): Some traditional methods call for steaming the fresh flowers for a few minutes before drying. This can preserve the color and speed up the drying process.
4. Dry: Spread the flowers or buds on a clean screen or baking sheet in a cool, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. A dehydrator at a low setting (around 90°F) can also be used. They are ready when they are crispy and brittle.
5. Store: Place the dried flowers in an airtight container away from light and heat. They can last for many months.

Brewing Your Daylily Tea

For fresh flowers:

• Bring water to a boil. Use 1-2 fresh flowers per cup.
• Place the flowers in a teacup or teapot.
• Pour the boiling water over the flowers and steep for 5-10 minutes, or until the desired flavor is reached.

For dried flowers or buds ('golden needles'):

• Use about 1 tablespoon of dried flowers per cup of boiling water.
• Steep for 10-15 minutes.

Optional Additions: Honey or lemon can be added to complement the mild, sweet floral notes.

The Flavor Profile and Potential Benefits

Daylily tea has a delicate, slightly sweet, and floral flavor. Some liken the taste of the fresh flowers to sweet iceberg lettuce, while the buds can resemble green beans or asparagus. Beyond taste, daylilies have a history of traditional use in herbal medicine.

In traditional Chinese medicine, daylilies have been used to calm the spirit, ease emotional tension, and aid in sleep. Modern research has identified bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, which contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Comparison: Daylily Tea vs. Chamomile Tea	Feature	Daylily Tea (Hemerocallis)	Chamomile Tea (Matricaria recutita)
Flavor Profile	Mild, subtly sweet, floral, sometimes compared to sweet lettuce or asparagus notes.	Gentle, apple-like, and slightly herbaceous.
Preparation	Uses fresh or dried flowers/buds, steeped in boiling water.	Uses dried flowers, steeped in hot water.
Traditional Use	Calming the spirit, easing anxiety, aiding sleep, and promoting relaxation.	Promoting relaxation, sleep aid, and soothing digestive issues.
Key Compounds	Flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, offering antioxidant effects.	Flavonoids, coumarins, and mucilage, with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Potential Risks	Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, digestive upset if over-consumed, and crucial risk of misidentification.	Possible allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to the daisy family.

Culinary Uses Beyond Tea

Daylilies are a versatile edible plant, and you can get creative with other parts, too. Young shoots can be harvested in early spring and used like asparagus. The flower buds are a popular addition to stir-fries, and the opened flowers can be used in salads or fried as fritters. The tubers, harvested in late autumn or early spring, can be cooked like potatoes.

Conclusion: A Safe and Flavorful Brew Awaits

Yes, you can absolutely make tea from daylilies, but the journey from garden to cup requires careful attention to detail. By confirming your plant is a true Hemerocallis daylily and not a toxic lookalike, you can safely explore a centuries-old culinary tradition. The mild, calming tea offers a unique floral experience, and the plant provides many other edible parts to enjoy throughout the seasons. Remember to always start small to ensure you don't have an adverse reaction and to harvest only from pesticide-free sources. For more information on plant identification, consult with local botanical gardens or extension services. For example, the Green Bay Botanical Garden has excellent resources on edible daylilies.

Green Bay Botanical Garden - Eating Daylilies: The Dos and Don'ts

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References and Further Reading

• Daylily - Hemerocallis - Mayernik Kitchen. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.mayernikkitchen.com/medicinal-plants/daylily
• Ingredient: Daylily - Caring Sunshine. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://caringsunshine.com/ingredients/ingredient-daylily/
• Eating Daylilies: The Dos and Don’ts - Green Bay Botanical Garden. (2020, July 28). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.gbbg.org/how-to-eat-daylilies/
• Are Daylilies Edible - Can I Eat Daylilies - Gardening Know How. (2021, May 26). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/daylily/edible-daylily.htm
• Are Daylilies Poisonous? - Plant Addicts. (2021, December 13). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://plantaddicts.com/are-daylilies-poisonous/
• How to Cook Daylilies | Wild + Whole - MeatEater. (2022, August 3). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.themeateater.com/wild-and-whole/forage/how-to-cook-daylilies
• Ingredient: Daylily - Caring Sunshine. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://caringsunshine.com/ingredients/ingredient-daylily/

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Additional Resources

• Daylilies for Food and Medicine - Olallie Daylily Garden. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://daylilygarden.com/daylilies-for-food-and-medicine.html

Frequently Asked Questions

Which type of daylily is safe to use for tea?

All species within the Hemerocallis genus are considered edible. The most common and well-documented edible daylily is the orange one, Hemerocallis fulva. Some new hybrids may have different flavors, so sticking to the common variety is a safe bet for a pleasant taste.

How do I make daylily tea from fresh flowers?

To make tea from fresh daylily flowers, place 1-2 freshly harvested and cleaned blossoms into a teacup. Pour boiling water over them and let them steep for 5-10 minutes. For an extra flavor boost, you can add honey or lemon to taste.

Can daylilies be poisonous?

While Hemerocallis daylilies are not considered poisonous to humans, some individuals may experience mild digestive upset, so it is wise to test your reaction with a small amount. The primary danger comes from misidentifying the plant with other lilies (Lilium) or irises, which can be toxic.

Do I use fresh or dried daylily flowers for tea?

You can use either fresh or dried daylily flowers for tea. Dried daylily flowers and buds, known as 'golden needles' in Chinese cuisine, provide a more concentrated flavor and have a longer shelf life. Fresh flowers offer a milder, more delicate taste.

Are daylily roots also edible?

Yes, daylily roots and tubers are edible. It is recommended to harvest them in late autumn or early spring when they are plump. They can be cooked like potatoes.

What are the health benefits of daylily tea?

Daylily tea is traditionally used in herbalism for its calming and relaxing properties, potentially helping with anxiety and insomnia. The plant contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, though more human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.

What is the difference between a daylily and a true lily?

The main difference is that daylilies (Hemerocallis) are not true lilies (Lilium), even though their names are similar. Daylilies grow from fleshy, fibrous roots, while true lilies grow from bulbs. True lilies are highly toxic to cats and can be harmful to other animals and humans, whereas daylilies are edible for humans.