It is very widely grown as an ornamental plant in temperate climates for its showy flowers and ease of cultivation.

It is an herbaceous perennial plant growing from tuberous roots, with stems 40–150 centimetres (16–59 inches) tall.

[5] Orange daylily is native to Asia from the Caucasus east through the Himalaya through China, Japan, and Korea.

fulva has escaped from cultivation across much of the United States and parts of Canada and has become a weedy or invasive species.

[15] As most of the varieties in cultivation are sterile triploids, and all spread via subterranean bulb offsets, the most common (and simplest) method of propagation is by root- or bulb-division.

In particular, cats are uniquely vulnerable, as they often explore outdoors, and can potentially brush against blooming daylilies, causing pollen to inadvertently collect on their fur; afterwards, the cat's instinctual self-grooming and licking behaviors can put them at-risk of directly ingesting the pollen.

The petals seem to taste better when cooked, but can also be fried for storing,[21] or dried and used as a thickener in soups or sauces.