Nutrition Diet: Are daylilies edible for humans? A guide to safe foraging

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

With a history of culinary use in Asian cuisine spanning thousands of years, many people wonder: are daylilies edible for humans? This guide explores the nutritional aspects, proper identification, and crucial safety measures for consuming this common and surprisingly versatile plant.

Quick Summary

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) have edible parts, including buds, petals, and tubers, but require precise identification and preparation to avoid potential gastric distress.

Key Points

Positive Identification is Critical: Confirm your plant is a daylily (Hemerocallis) and not a toxic true lily (Lilium) before consumption.
Not All Parts Are Created Equal: Daylily tubers, young shoots, buds, and flowers are edible, each offering a unique flavor and texture.
Start Small to Assess Sensitivity: Some people experience gastric distress from daylilies, especially when eaten raw or in large quantities, so try a small cooked portion first.
Cook Daylilies for Safety: Blanching or cooking the shoots and flowers is recommended, as some preparations reduce potential toxins and mitigate gastric issues.
Avoid Chemical Contaminants: Forage only from areas you know are free of herbicides and pesticides, such as your own uncontaminated garden.
Forage the Original, Not the Cultivar: The common orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is the safest choice, as the edibility of ornamental cultivars is less well-documented.

Despite its common appearance in gardens and along roadsides, the daylily (Hemerocallis genus) holds a long history as a food source. For centuries, various parts of the plant have been incorporated into Asian cuisine. However, before adding them to your menu, it is essential to understand the correct identification, preparation, and potential risks associated with consumption. While the common orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is a popular edible species, not all members of the Hemerocallis genus are equally palatable, and confusion with other poisonous lilies is a real danger.

The Edible Parts of the Daylily

Every part of the daylily plant is potentially edible, offering different textures and flavors throughout the seasons.

Young Shoots: In early spring, the tender, young shoots can be harvested and used in stir-fries or pastas. They have a mild flavor, sometimes compared to asparagus. It is crucial not to consume them in large quantities, as some reports suggest raw leaves can cause issues.
Flower Buds: Harvested in late spring and early summer before they open, the firm, green buds are considered a delicacy. They can be steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, or pickled and have a flavor reminiscent of green beans or asparagus.
Flowers and Petals: The vibrant flowers, which only last for a single day, can be eaten raw in salads or used as a garnish. They have a delicate, slightly floral, and somewhat sweet flavor. The petals can also be dried for use in soups, where they add a chewy texture and act as a thickener.
Tubers: Found at the base of the root system, these small tubers can be dug up in late fall or early spring. Once scrubbed, they can be boiled, roasted, or fried like small potatoes. They offer a sweet, starchy flavor.

Crucial Safety Precautions for Daylily Consumption

While daylilies are edible, certain risks must be addressed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Correct Identification is Paramount

The most significant risk of eating daylilies is misidentification. True lilies (Lilium genus) and other plants with "lily" in their common name can be poisonous.

Daylily vs. True Lily: Daylilies (Hemerocallis) have fibrous root systems with small, edible tubers, while true lilies (Lilium) grow from scaly, toxic bulbs.
Lookalikes: The Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) is a poisonous lookalike that can be mistaken for a daylily. Daylilies have smooth stems and leaves, while Tiger Lilies often have black bulbils in the leaf axils.
Chemical Contamination: Never forage daylilies from roadsides, public parks, or areas that may have been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides.

Allergic Reactions and Gastric Distress

A small percentage of individuals experience gastric distress, such as diarrhea or stomach upset, after eating daylilies. This can be more pronounced when consuming raw parts of the plant or in large quantities. The recommended approach is to try a small, cooked amount first to assess your individual sensitivity. Cooking can reduce the likelihood of a negative reaction for some people.

Concerns over Cultivars

While the common orange Hemerocallis fulva is widely accepted as safe, the edibility of the tens of thousands of cultivated varieties is less certain. Some cultivars may have undesirable flavors or unknown side effects. For safety, it is best to stick to the traditional, common varieties.

The Nutritional Profile of Daylilies

Beyond their culinary versatility, daylilies offer a nutritional boost. Though nutritional information is not exhaustive, studies and analysis confirm several key benefits.

Vitamins: Daylilies are a source of vitamins A and C.
Minerals: They contain important minerals, including potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.
Fiber and Protein: Dried daylily buds are a good source of protein and dietary fiber, crucial for a balanced diet.
Antioxidants: The flowers contain valuable compounds like flavonoids and carotenoids, which have antioxidant properties.

Comparing Edible Flowers

To better understand the daylily's place in the world of edible flowers, consider how it stacks up against other popular floral edibles.


Feature	Daylily (Hemerocallis)	Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)	Squash Blossom (Cucurbita spp.)
Taste	Buds: green bean/asparagus. Flowers: mild, floral. Tubers: starchy, sweet.	Peppery and spicy, reminiscent of watercress.	Mild, delicate, slightly sweet, and tastes faintly of squash.
Edible Parts	Buds, flowers, young shoots, tubers.	Flowers, leaves, and seeds.	Flowers (often eaten stuffed).
Preparation	Fritters, sautéed, pickled, soups.	Raw in salads, pestos, garnishes.	Stuffed with cheese and fried, added to quesadillas.
Caution	Crucial: Must distinguish from poisonous lilies; small percentage of people get gastric distress.	No major toxicity, but ensure proper identification.	No major toxicity.

Conclusion

For those interested in integrating foraged plants into their diet, daylilies offer a flavorful and nutritious option throughout much of the growing season. However, the path to safe consumption is paved with caution. Accurate identification of the Hemerocallis genus and avoiding poisonous lookalikes, particularly true lilies, is non-negotiable. When prepared correctly, whether sautéed, fried, or pickled, daylily buds and flowers can be a delicious addition to your culinary repertoire. As with any new food, start with a small, cooked portion to test for any personal sensitivities. With proper care, these familiar garden flowers can become a delightful part of your kitchen. A deeper look into the associated dangers and delights can be found at the Chelsea Green Publishing website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some parts of the daylily, like the flower petals, can be eaten raw. However, it is highly recommended to start with a small quantity and cook them, as some individuals experience gastric upset, especially with raw daylily parts.

All parts of the daylily plant—including the young spring shoots, flower buds, open flowers and petals, and fall/spring tubers—are edible.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) have fibrous root systems with small tubers and smooth stems, while poisonous true lilies (Lilium) grow from scaly bulbs and lack tubers. Look for the distinctive fibrous roots and small tubers, especially when harvesting in the fall or spring.

The flavor of daylilies varies depending on the part and preparation. The flower buds are often compared to green beans or asparagus, while the flowers have a mild, sweet, and slightly floral flavor.

If you suspect you have ingested a poisonous plant, contact your local poison control center or seek immediate medical attention. It is crucial to have the plant for identification if possible.

Yes, the common orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is widely considered the safest variety for consumption due to its long history as a food source. However, as with all daylilies, moderation is advised.

If you have positively identified the daylilies in your garden as the Hemerocallis genus and you know they have not been treated with any pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals, they should be safe for consumption.