Exploring the World of Daylily - Traditional Chinese Healthy Ingredients

Nutrition Growing Methods Cooking Recipes

History and Culture of Daylily

Daylily (Hemerocallis citrina), also known as golden needle vegetable or forget-worry herb, is a traditional edible and medicinal plant in China. As a member of the Liliaceae family, it has been cultivated for over 2000 years and holds an important place in Chinese culinary culture.

The name "daylily" comes from its golden yellow flowers that bloom in the morning and wither by evening. In traditional Chinese culture, daylily symbolizes maternal love and forgetting worries, often appearing in ancient poetry with the imagery of "forgetting worries with daylily."

Daylily is mainly grown in northern China, with major production areas including Datong (Shanxi), Qingyang (Gansu), Dali (Shaanxi), and Shaodong (Hunan). These regions produce high-quality daylily due to their unique climate and soil conditions.

History of Daylily

Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Daylily

Daylily

Nutrients (per 100g dried daylily)

  • Protein: 14.1g - Provides essential amino acids
  • Dietary Fiber: 6.7g - Promotes digestive health
  • Beta-Carotene: 3.44mg - Converts to vitamin A
  • Calcium: 463mg - Strengthens bones
  • Iron: 16.5mg - Supports blood production
  • Vitamin B1: 0.36mg - Maintains nervous system function
  • Selenium: 4.22μg - Antioxidant properties
Note: Fresh daylily contains colchicine and should be thoroughly cooked or processed into dried form before consumption to remove toxins.

Health Benefits

Cardiovascular Health

Rutin and quercetin in daylily help lower cholesterol, prevent atherosclerosis, and improve blood circulation.

Brain Health and Cognitive Enhancement

Rich in lecithin and vitamin B1, enhances memory, improves brain function, and delays cognitive decline.

Respiratory Health

Traditional Chinese medicine believes daylily has cough-relieving properties and is particularly suitable for smokers and those with weak respiratory systems.

Sleep Improvement

Contains tryptophan which helps synthesize serotonin, improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety and stress.

Pregnancy Nutrition

Rich in folic acid and iron, plays an important role in fetal development and prevention of anemia during pregnancy.

Antioxidant Properties

Various antioxidant substances can neutralize free radicals, delay aging, and enhance immunity.

Daylily Cultivation Guide (Timeline)

1

Variety Selection and Propagation

  • Common Varieties: Da Wuzui, Jingzhou Flower, Chazi Flower, Mengzi Flower
  • Propagation Method: Division propagation (autumn or early spring)
  • Seedling Preparation: Remove old roots and dead leaves, retain 5-7 cm fleshy roots
2

Soil Preparation

  • Soil Type: Loose and fertile sandy loam
  • pH Value: 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
  • Land Preparation: Deep plow 25–30 cm, apply sufficient organic fertilizer
3

Planting Methods

  • Time: Spring (March–April) or Autumn (September–October)
  • Density: Row spacing 70–80 cm, plant spacing 40–50 cm
  • Depth: Bury the fleshy roots into soil for 10–15 cm
4

Field Management

  • Weed Control: Loosen soil and remove weeds 3–4 times during growing period
  • Fertilization: Apply nitrogen fertilizer before spring sprouting, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer at bud stage
  • Water Management: Keep soil moist during flowering period, avoid waterlogging
5

Pest and Disease Control

  • Main Diseases: Rust, Leaf Spot – use Zineb for control
  • Main Pests: Aphids, Red Spider Mites – use Rogor emulsion for control
  • Preventive Measures: Crop rotation, reasonable planting density, timely removal of diseased plants
6

Harvesting and Processing

  • Harvest Time: In the morning when buds are full but not yet open
  • Processing: Steam for 5–8 minutes then sun-dry or oven-dry
  • Storage: Store in dry sealed containers, away from light and moisture

Cultivation Tips: Daylily can be harvested continuously for 10–15 years after one planting; peak production is between year 3 and year 8.

Cultivation Process: Variety Selection → Land Preparation → Planting → Field Management → Pest Control → Harvest & Processing

Daylily Cultivation and Processing Video Tutorial

Learn the complete process of daylily cultivation to processing and master traditional and modern integrated farming techniques.

Daylily Cooking Video Tutorial

Learn how to cook delicious daylily dishes — from traditional family recipes to creative cuisine.

Braised Chicken with Daylily
Cold Tossed Daylily
Daylily with Shredded Pork
Nourishing Daylily Soup