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Daylily

Edible Flower / Vegetable

Daylily

An edible flower and bud commonly used in Asian cooking, known for its mild flavor and strict requirement to be cooked before eating.

Daylilies are edible flowering plants where the buds, flowers, and young shoots are consumed, often used fresh or dried in Asian cuisine.

low-calorie fibrous vegetable

Typical serving · 50g

Common varieties · Hemerocallis fulva, Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, Golden Needles (dried), Lemon Daylily

75health

Overall context score across nutrition, safety, and diet fit

At a glance

Quick facts

Simple indicators based on nutrition, processing, and diet fit.

Low calorieLow carbLow glycemicWeight lossDiabetes-friendlyGut health

The story

What makes it unique

Daylily buds and flowers are low in calories and carbohydrates, providing moderate fiber and micronutrients like vitamin C and beta-carotene. Digestion is moderate due to fiber content, promoting mild satiety. Must be cooked before consumption to neutralize mild gastrointestinal toxins.

Varieties: Hemerocallis fulva · Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus · Golden Needles (dried) · Lemon Daylily

#daylily#edibleflowers#lowcalorievegetables#goldenneedles#foraging#lowcarbvegetables#bloodsugarfriendly#weightlossfoods

Per 100g

Nutrition breakdown

Macro balance and key metrics at a glance.

Energy

35kcal

Density 0.35 kcal/g

Protein

2g

Carbs

7g

Fat

0.2g

Fiber

2.5g

Sugar

3 g

Sodium

10 mg

Potassium

200 mg

Glycemic index

15

Glycemic load

1

Water content

88%

Standout compounds

Nutrient highlights

  • Vitamin C

    moderate

    Supports immune function and skin health

  • Beta-Carotene

    moderate

    Acts as an antioxidant and supports vision

  • Dietary Fiber

    moderate

    Promotes digestive regularity and gut health

  • Iron

    low

    Essential for oxygen transport in blood

Wellness map

Health scores & processing

Weight loss
85
Satiety
65
Blood sugar
90
Gut health
75
Heart health
70
Fitness
40
Processing
90

NOVA processing scale

1
Min
2
3
4
Ultra

minimally processed · Whole food

Fresh daylilies are whole, unprocessed plant foods. Dried daylilies (golden needles) undergo minimal dehydration without additives.

Diet compatibility

  • Weight loss
  • Muscle gain
  • Diabetes
  • Gut health
  • Low carb
  • High protein
  • Heart health

Relative standing

Food rankings

Qualitative ranks compared to similar whole foods.

  • Satietygood
  • Blood sugarexcellent
  • Nutrient densitygood
  • Fitness fuelpoor
  • Processing qualityexcellent

Eat with confidence

Food safety profile

Raw daylilies contain mild toxins that can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. They must always be thoroughly cooked before eating. Proper identification is crucial as some true lilies are highly toxic.

60safety

Evidence confidence 85%

  • Pesticideslow
  • Antibioticslow
  • Heavy metalslow
  • Contaminationmoderate

Watch for

  • Natural plant toxins (when raw)

Safer choices

Commercially cultivated daylilies or dried golden needles from reputable suppliers.

Prep tips

Wash thoroughly, remove stamens and pistils, and boil or stir-fry completely before consumption. Soak dried varieties well and discard soaking water.

Not typically regulated as a primary food crop in Western markets; foraging requires correct identification to avoid toxic true lily look-alikes.

Deep dive

Health analysis

How this food may fit different goals and preparation choices.

  1. Weight loss

    Very low energy density and calorie count make daylilies an excellent volume-eating food to increase meal size without adding significant calories.

  2. Blood sugar

    Low carbohydrate and sugar content combined with dietary fiber results in a minimal impact on blood glucose levels.

  3. Fitness & energy

    Lacks the macronutrient density required for workout fuel or muscle recovery; best used as a side dish rather than an energy source.

  4. Gut health

    Provides dietary fiber that supports bowel regularity and acts as a prebiotic, though overconsumption can act as a laxative.

  5. Processing quality

    Whole food in its fresh form; dried varieties are simply dehydrated without additives, maintaining high processing quality.

  6. Food safety

    Requires strict cooking to neutralize mild toxins; foraging carries the risk of misidentifying toxic true lilies.

  7. Common mistakes

    Eating daylilies raw, consuming too many at once, or confusing them with toxic true lilies which can be fatal.

  8. Best preparation

    Boiling, stir-frying, or adding to soups after a brief blanching to ensure complete cooking and toxin neutralization.

Practical guide

Best use cases

When and how this food fits real eating patterns.

  • Low-carb stir-fry addition

    Adds bulk and texture to vegetable stir-fries without adding significant carbs or calories.

  • Hot and sour soup ingredient

    Traditional use of dried golden needles adds authentic flavor and fiber to Asian soups.

  • High-volume diet meals

    Increases portion sizes for dieters looking to eat more food while keeping calories low.

Balance sheet

Pros & cons

Upsides

  • Very low in calories and carbohydrates
  • Provides moderate amounts of fiber and vitamin C
  • Versatile culinary ingredient in soups and stir-fries
  • Low glycemic impact suitable for diabetics

Trade-offs

  • Mildly toxic if consumed raw
  • Risk of misidentification with toxic true lilies when foraging
  • Not a significant source of protein or healthy fats
  • Can act as a laxative if eaten in large quantities

Fit check

Who is it for?

Great match

  • low-carb diets
  • weight loss volume eating
  • blood sugar management
  • Asian cuisine enthusiasts

Consider alternatives

  • raw food diets
  • high-protein diets
  • inexperienced foragers

Side by side

How it compares

Open the full head-to-head analysis for nutrition, safety, and practical tradeoffs.

  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS85% alike
    Asparagus

    Compare with

    Asparagus

    Asparagus offers more folate and protein, while daylilies provide a unique floral note and lower calorie count per serving.

    Asparagus provides more protein and folate for fitness, while daylilies are lower in calories for weight loss.

    Daylily vs Asparagus
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS90% alike
    Bamboo Shoots

    Compare with

    Bamboo Shoots

    Bamboo shoots are slightly lower in sugar and higher in fiber, while daylilies offer more vitamin C.

    Bamboo shoots are higher in fiber and lower in sugar for blood sugar control, while daylilies offer more vitamin C.

    Daylily vs Bamboo Shoots
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS80% alike
    Zucchini

    Compare with

    Zucchini

    Zucchini is more widely available and versatile raw, while daylilies must be cooked and offer a denser texture.

    Daylilies are lower in calories and carbs for blood sugar control, while zucchini is safer to eat raw and more versatile.

    Daylily vs Zucchini
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS75% alike
    Spinach

    Compare with

    Spinach

    Spinach is significantly higher in iron, calcium, and vitamins, making it more nutrient-dense overall.

    Spinach is far more nutrient-dense with higher iron and vitamins, while daylilies are slightly lower in calories.

    Daylily vs Spinach
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS70% alike
    Bell Peppers

    Compare with

    Bell Peppers

    Bell peppers are much higher in vitamin C and can be eaten raw safely, whereas daylilies are lower in carbs and must be cooked.

    Bell peppers provide much more vitamin C and can be eaten raw, while daylilies are lower in carbs and calories.

    Daylily vs Bell Peppers
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS85% alike
    Lotus Root

    Compare with

    Lotus Root

    Lotus root is higher in carbohydrates and fiber, providing more energy, while daylilies are better for strict low-carb diets.

    Lotus root provides more carbs and fiber for fitness energy, while daylilies are much lower in carbs for weight loss.

    Daylily vs Lotus Root
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS80% alike
    Shiitake Mushrooms

    Compare with

    Shiitake Mushrooms

    Shiitakes offer unique immune-supporting compounds and more protein, while daylilies are lower in calories and carbs.

    Shiitake mushrooms offer more protein and immune support, while daylilies are lower in calories and carbs.

    Daylily vs Shiitake Mushrooms
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS75% alike
    Green Beans

    Compare with

    Green Beans

    Green beans are more accessible and provide more fiber, while daylilies are lower in calories and carbohydrates.

    Green beans are higher in fiber for satiety, while daylilies are lower in calories and carbs for weight loss.

    Daylily vs Green Beans
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS70% alike
    Celery

    Compare with

    Celery

    Celery is safe to eat raw and extremely low in calories, while daylilies offer a denser texture and more vitamin C when cooked.

    Celery is safer raw and extremely low in calories, while daylilies provide more vitamin C and a denser cooked texture.

    Daylily vs Celery
  • Daylily

    This food

    Daylily

    VS80% alike
    Bok Choy

    Compare with

    Bok Choy

    Bok choy is richer in calcium and vitamins A and C, while daylilies are slightly lower in carbohydrates.

    Bok choy is much richer in calcium and vitamins, while daylilies are slightly lower in carbs and calories.

    Daylily vs Bok Choy

Common questions

FAQ

Answers aligned with how people search for this food.

  • Are daylilies safe to eat?

    Yes, but they must be cooked first to neutralize mild toxins that cause stomach upset. Never eat them raw.

  • Can you eat daylilies raw?

    It is strongly advised against eating them raw; consuming raw daylilies can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress.

  • What do daylilies taste like?

    They have a mild, slightly sweet, and vegetal flavor, often compared to asparagus or zucchini, with a slightly mucilaginous texture when cooked.

  • How do you prepare daylilies for cooking?

    Wash thoroughly, remove the basal end if tough, and blanch or boil them before adding to stir-fries or soups to ensure safety.

  • Are dried daylilies the same as fresh?

    Dried daylilies (golden needles) are the buds dehydrated for storage; they must be soaked and cooked before eating and are a staple in hot and sour soup.

  • Can diabetics eat daylilies?

    Yes, they are very low in carbohydrates and sugar, making them a safe and healthy choice for blood sugar management.

  • Are daylilies good for weight loss?

    Yes, they are extremely low in calories while providing fiber, which helps increase satiety without excess caloric intake.

  • How can you tell a daylily from a toxic lily?

    Daylilies have leafless stems and multiple blooms that last a day, while true lilies have leaves up the stem; consult an expert before foraging.

Transparency

Data confidence

Estimated confidence for nutrition data, interpretation, safety notes, and comparisons.

70

Nutrition data

85

Health analysis

95

Food safety

80

Comparisons