Growing daylilies from seed can be one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable.  There are always surprises along the way as you never know how your crosses will turn out since the seed does not reproduce exactly as the parent plant.  Although there are many ways to grow daylilies from seed, this is what has worked for me.  Daylilies are grown in all 50 states and can thrive in Arizona with some proper planning and the right amounts of sun.  If you live in the Phoenix area or areas similar in climate, daylilies should only get morning sun in the summer and is one of the hardiest perennials you can grow.  There are thousands of different types of daylilies to chose from.  Crosses or cross pollinating is the result of bringing pollen from one type of daylily to another.  After a daylily has flowered the plant sets seed on a pod.  Inside of the pods are the seeds generated from the two crosses.  So prepare to have some fun and lets get started.

What You Will Need to get Started 

Seeds - Seeds can be obtained many places.  One of the best places is to bid for them online at the Lily Auction.  The link for the Lily Auction is www.lilyauction.com.  Another place is Ebay.  The seeds look like small raisins and must be air dried when harvested and chilled in a refrigerator for three or more weeks.

Planting Medium (Soil) - It is recommended that you start your seeds in a seed starting mix (soil less).  I use Miracle Grow Seed Starter Mix and I have provided a picture to the right.  About $4.00 for an 8 qt. bag.  Found at Home Depot.

Cups - I use styrofoam cups for the seeds and highly recommend using cups that are 6 in or more tall.  Daylilies have a deep root system that will benefit from the extra growing room.

Lighting - If you plan on starting your seeds indoors you will need a fluorescent light.  The light can be between 20 - 40 watts with cool white tubes.  I use 4 ft. lights and they can be purchased at Home Depot for about $15.00.  I use the basic workshop light!

Preparation for Planting 

Any seeds that you may have should be left in a vegetable crisper until your ready to plant.  Look at your seeds to see if they have sprouted (look for a tiny white root).  If your seeds have sprouted, they are ready to plant.  If your seeds have not sprouted place your seeds of a single cross in a small cup and add about 1/2 inch of water.  Then place a wadded up piece of a paper towel over the seeds to ensure they stay under water.  Leave the seeds this way for 2-3 days so your seeds can re-hydrate.  Place the cups in a warm location like a sunny window sill or the top of a refrigerator.  Check each day to ensure the cups maintain  enough water to at least cover the seeds, add as necessary.  You will need a cup for each of your crosses to keep them separated.

At this point make 3-5 holes in the bottom of you planting cups and I always place at least one hole on the side of the cup very near the bottom.  Do do this I use a large screwdriver.  Now fill your cups with the seed starting mix to about 1/2 inch from the top and tamp down lightly to remove any air pockets.

Once your seeds are ready for planting it is extremely important that your seed mix and cups are sterile.  To accomplish this slowly pour boiling water over the mix and cups.  This does three great things.  First, it saturates your mix prior to planting.  Second, it kills any insect eggs and pathogens.  And third, it prevents dampen-off disease and fungal gnats.  Your cups will cool and be ready to plant within one day after using the boiling water.

The day of planting - you will need one cup for every cross that you have.  You can plant 4-6 seeds per cup spacing them evenly at a planting depth of 1/4 - 1/2 inch deep.  After planting the seeds, you may want to drip a little water on the top to ensure the area were the seed is planted gets plenty of  water right from the start.  You will also want to label each cup with the cross, date planted, and how many seeds were planted in that cup.  You should use a permanent marker for this!  Its also a good idea to place your cups in some sort of container to catch the excess water and to be able to water from the bottom.  I always leave about 1 - 2 inches of water at the bottom of the container.(See photo to the right)  Now place your cups/container in a warm place again like a sunny window or on top of the refrigerator.  Check your planting mix often to ensure the mix is not drying out.  Prior to germination if your soil starts looking dry on top spray or mist some water to keep moist not wet.  Also I fertilize with miracle grow about every 2-3 weeks at 1/3 normal strength.

Germination - This can take anywhere from 3 days to 30 days in some instances.  I always strive for a 90+% germination rate.  Once your seeds begin to sprout, move your seedlings underneath your fluorescent light and keep around 1-2 inches above the seedlings for 14-18 hours per day.  When it comes to lighting and seedlings more is better.  Once your daylilies reach about 3 inches tall and they can grow quickly, add a fan to prevent them from getting too leggy if necessary.

Watering and fertilizing - If possible always water your seedlings from the bottom and fertilize every 2-3 weeks using a weak mixture of liquid fertilizer.   I just add the fertilizer to the bottom of the container holding the cups.

When your daylilies are 5-7 inches tall, you can start the hardening off process by bringing them outside for some direct sunlight.  Start off at 30 minutes on day one and 1 hour on day 2 and 2 hours on day three assuming we are in the months of Feb, Mar, and Apr here in AZ.  If the temps are above 90 degrees cut the times in half or by 75% to be safe.  Cups will dry out much faster outside so check them frequently.  Within a few weeks your plants will be hardened off and ready for transplanting in your garden.  Your new seedlings will not normally bloom until their 16-18th month from germination.  

Transplanting to your garden - You should prepare your garden soil at least one week prior to transplanting your seedlings.  Here in Arizona we must amend the soil.  Always add compost and composted manure and work it in well to at least 10-15 inches deep.  This is your one chance to improve the soil and your plants will reward you for it.  A good mix is 40% native soil, 40% compost and 20% composted manure. 

Now gently remove the entire contents of a cup and lay it on its side.  Very gently, remove and separate seedlings from the cup and separate.  Be very care full not to damage the tap root.  Take your time and you will have no problem separating your seedlings.  Dig a hole in your amended garden about 6-8 inches deep and gently place your seedling in packing the soil lightly around up to the crown where the roots meets the plant.  Water in completely.  Water as needed from then on.  Fertilize once a month for the first year.  Congrats - You've done it....... 

Remember this is one of many ways to start daylilies from seed.  I hope you have found this info useful.