Daylilies typically cost $5-$20 per plant, with an average of about $12 for a named cultivar in a quart-size pot; bare-root divisions can cost less, while large or premium varieties cost more. The total budget depends on plant size, cultivar, quantity, shipping, and whether the gardener does the planting or hires a landscaper.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare-root daylily | $4 | $8 | $15 | Per division, usually sold dormant or seasonally |
| Small potted plant | $7 | $12 | $22 | Per plant in a small nursery pot |
| Premium named cultivar | $15 | $30 | $60+ | Per plant; rare introductions may exceed this range |
| Ten-plant bed, DIY | $50 | $140 | $350 | Plants and basic soil amendments, before delivery |
| Professional planting | $250 | $600 | $1,500+ | Small bed; site preparation and plant size affect total |
A plant-only purchase is different from a finished planting quote. A landscape contractor may include bed preparation, compost, delivery, labor, edging, and cleanup. For a small, accessible bed, installation can bring the total to several hundred dollars even when the plants themselves cost less than $200.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daylilies | $7-$30 each | Pot size, cultivar, and plant maturity | Per plant |
| Soil preparation | $1-$4 per sq ft | Compacted soil, weeds, and amendment needs | Per square foot |
| Planting labor | $45-$85 per hour | Digging, layout, access, and crew size | Hourly or project rate |
| Compost or topsoil | $35-$90 per cubic yard | Material, delivery distance, and order size | Per cubic yard |
| Delivery and cleanup | $40-$175 | Travel, minimum order, and debris volume | Flat fee or allowance |
Labor is often the largest expense on a small planting job. A crew may charge a minimum visit fee even if the planting takes only a few hours. The estimate should state whether it includes bed edging, mulch, removal of existing plants, and watering after installation; those items may not be included in a basic plant-and-install price.
A clear quote separates plant costs from preparation, installation, delivery, and disposal charges.
How Spacing And Soil Conditions Change The Total
Spacing determines how many plants a bed needs. Many daylilies are planted about 18-24 inches apart, though a compact variety can be placed closer and a large mature cultivar may need more room. At 18-inch spacing, a roughly 100-square-foot bed can take about 40-50 plants depending on its shape and borders. At $8-$20 per plant, that is approximately $320-$1,000 for plants alone.
For a lower initial outlay, gardeners can space plants 24-30 inches apart and allow the clumps to grow together over time. This can reduce the count for the same bed by roughly 25%-40%, but leaves more open soil initially. The trade-off is a longer wait for a full-looking planting and potentially more weeding or mulch while the plants establish.
Soil condition can add to the installation estimate. Removing dense turf, correcting drainage, or loosening compacted ground can add $1-$4 per square foot for preparation. Daylilies tolerate a range of soils but perform poorly in persistently waterlogged areas; drainage work may cost far more than ordinary compost incorporation. Bed size, spacing, and site preparation can matter more to the total than a small difference in price per plant.
A simple 40-square-foot border with 18 plants at $12 each might cost about $216 for plants, plus $40-$160 for modest amendments. If the soil requires substantial removal or regrading, obtain a separate price for that work instead of assuming it is included in a planting quote.
Regional Nursery Prices And Shipping Differences
Local garden-center prices can vary by roughly 10%-25% between high-cost metro markets and lower-cost rural areas. In regions with higher wages, rent, and delivery expenses, a plant priced at $12 elsewhere may retail for $14-$16. Online sellers can offer more cultivar choice, but freight, insulated packaging, and minimum order requirements affect the delivered price.
Shipping a small order of bare-root plants may add $10-$25, while a larger shipment or expedited delivery can add $25-$60 or more. Potted plants are heavier and bulkier, so shipping can erase the savings of a lower advertised price. Compare the delivered cost per plant, including any handling fee, rather than comparing nursery tags alone.
Availability also varies with climate and growing season. In colder states, seasonal shipments may be concentrated in spring or early fall; in warmer areas, nurseries may offer plants for a longer period. Local stock can avoid freight, and a regional nursery can confirm whether a cultivar is suited to the site’s winter temperatures. For small orders, nearby pickup often beats online pricing once shipping is added.
Three Daylily Bed Budgets At Different Scales
A modest DIY border might use 12 bare-root divisions at $7 each, $35 of compost, and $15 of mulch. The total is about $134 before tax, or approximately $11 per plant once basic materials are counted. It assumes the homeowner already has digging tools and does not need delivery.
A fuller 100-square-foot bed could use 45 standard potted plants at $12 each, $100 in soil amendments, and $60 for delivery. Its estimated material total is $700 before tax. The plant cost is $540, or $12 each; the overall budget rises to about $15.55 per plant after amendments and delivery.
A professionally installed premium bed might include 30 named cultivars averaging $28 each, $120 in compost and mulch, $100 delivery and cleanup, and six labor hours at $65 per hour. The estimate is about $900 before tax, or $30 per installed plant. Difficult access, removal of old shrubs, or a larger crew could raise that total. These examples show why the same plant count can produce very different project prices.
For comparison, a 20-plant planting with standard $10 plants and simple DIY preparation could stay near $250-$350 after basic amendments and delivery. Using $30 cultivars and paying for professional planting may instead put the same count around $900-$1,400. The estimate should identify the plant size and cultivar so that lower and higher quotes are being compared on equivalent terms.
When Planting Labor Makes Daylilies Cost More
Experienced crews can often plant 20-30 small divisions per hour in prepared, workable soil. A 40-plant job may therefore take two to four labor hours, including layout and cleanup. At $45-$85 per hour, direct labor could be roughly $90-$340, but contractor minimums, travel, and a two-person crew can make the actual billed amount higher.
Planting in unprepared ground takes longer. Removing sod, digging around tree roots, carrying materials through a narrow side yard, or working on a slope can lower production to 8-15 plants per hour. A contractor might quote a flat rate rather than hourly billing, so the scope should specify the number of plants, bed dimensions, and whether the area will be cleared and mulched.
DIY installation avoids labor charges, but it still requires time and basic tools. Bare-root plants should be unpacked promptly and kept from drying out before planting. Container plants need holes wide enough for their root systems, and the crown should not be buried too deeply. Paying for labor is most cost-effective when site preparation is difficult or the planting involves many plants.
Which Daylily Choices Keep The Plant Bill Lower
Choose widely available cultivars and standard-size plants when color variety is less important than filling space affordably. Buying 10 or more plants from one nursery may qualify for a volume discount, often reducing the per-plant price by about 10%-20%. Ask whether the discount applies to sale plants and whether shipping or delivery is charged separately.
Bare-root divisions are generally less expensive than established potted plants, but they need careful handling and may not create an immediate full display. Dividing mature daylilies already in a garden can provide free plants, although a newly divided clump may need time to recover. Avoid buying extra plants simply to compensate for overly close spacing; crowding can require later thinning.
Keep the project simple by preparing the bed yourself, using locally delivered compost, and limiting decorative edging or specialty mulch. Compare at least three quotes and check that each covers the same plant sizes, quantities, soil work, and cleanup. The largest controllable savings usually come from plant count, cultivar selection, and installation scope.
What Daylily Upkeep Adds After Installation
Daylilies are relatively low-maintenance once established, but they are not entirely maintenance-free. A homeowner may spend $10-$40 per year on fertilizer or compost for a small bed, depending on the product and area. Mulch may add another $30-$100 per year if it is renewed, though many gardens need only occasional top-ups once the plants fill in.
Dividing overcrowded clumps every three to five years can renew flowering and provide additional plants. A landscaper may charge $50-$150 for a small division visit, or approximately $5-$15 per clump when priced by task. Gardeners doing the work themselves mainly pay for tools or replacement soil. Divisions can be replanted elsewhere, lowering future plant purchases.
Watering needs are typically greatest during establishment and extended dry spells. Existing irrigation can keep the expense low; adding a drip line or adjusting a sprinkler zone may cost $75-$300 for a small planting area. Pests, poor drainage, and harsh winter exposure can create replacement costs, so choosing suitable cultivars and placing them in well-drained soil helps protect the original investment.
Over five years, a 20-plant bed may require roughly $100-$500 for occasional amendments, mulch, and watering adjustments, excluding major repairs or paid routine maintenance. Dividing mature plants can offset replacement purchases, while a poorly prepared site may need more frequent plant replacement. Budget for modest upkeep, but treat drainage problems as a separate potential expense.