Plant guide
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Daylilies are dangerous to cats and can cause fatal kidney failure. Even small exposures, including pollen or vase water, need immediate veterinary attention. Do not wait for symptoms.
What this guide covers: Hemerocallis species and garden daylilies. They are botanically different from Lilium but also pose a serious kidney risk. Peace, calla and Peruvian lilies need their own guides.
Photo:
Photo details
Hemerocallis spp. — Flower and Leaves (Wake County, NC)
By Cathy Dewitt
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Hemerocallis spp. — Flower and Leaves (Wake County, NC)
By Cathy Dewitt
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Pardon Me daylily
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Hemerocallis spp. and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Hemerocallis spp.
- Scope
- Genus-level group
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Hemerocallis species and garden daylilies. They are botanically different from Lilium but also pose a serious kidney risk. Peace, calla and Peruvian lilies need their own guides.
- Light
- Sunny position or Some direct sun
Full sun to partial shade; stronger light generally supports flowering.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Keep soil moist with drainage; waterlogging and prolonged drought harm performance.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Hardiness varies by selection; no universal preferred temperature range established.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter.
- Through the year
- Divide clumps in spring or fall. Flowering season varies by cultivar.
Growing-guide sources
- Hemerocallis spp. ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Hemerocallis species and garden daylilies. They are botanically different from Lilium but also pose a serious kidney risk. Peace, calla and Peruvian lilies need their own guides.
- Hemerocallis growing guide ↗Royal Horticultural Society · Accessed 2026-10-16
Hemerocallis species and garden daylilies. They are botanically different from Lilium but also pose a serious kidney risk. Peace, calla and Peruvian lilies need their own guides.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Severity
- Severity not established
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Daylily: toxic and non-toxic plants ↗ASPCA · Accessed
- Top 5 Feline Toxins ↗Pet Poison Helpline · Accessed
Safety last reviewed .