How to Grow Daffodils

How To Plant, Grow & Care For Daffodils

Botanical Name	Narcissus
Plant Type	Flower bulb
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Well-drained clay, loamy or sandy soils
Soil pH	Neutral to slightly acidic
Bloom Time	Early to late spring
Flower Color	Yellow, white, orange and pink
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Special Features	It has a toxin called alkaloid lycorine that is poisonous to deer and other animals and rodents.

Nothing says spring like daffodils! These beloved bulbs are so easy to grow, and promise years of enjoyment. A successfully naturalized daffodil field can bloom for up to 30 or even 50 years.

During the blooming season, water daffodils regularly. After the growing season, you may want to add bonemeal to the soil to enhance the next year's blooms. Deadhead the plants as flowers die off, but do not cut the leaves for at least six weeks after they stop growing.

A Note on Pink Daffodils: When pink daffodils first unfold, the trumpet is a lovely yellow-apricot color which will gradually change to a soft pink. It is important to plant this variety in an area where they will receive full sun in order to achieve the optimal pink color. Temperatures affect daffodil colors. Warmer spring temperatures really bring out the pink or salmon-pink hues in pink daffodils, while cooler temperatures bring out their orange tones.

How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

Keep your daffodil bulbs in good condition by planting them soon after they are delivered. If you cannot plant them right away, open the cartons. If the bulbs are in plastic bags, remove them from the plastic. Place them on a tray in a cool, dark, dry, well-ventilated area until you can plant them. Do not store them at temperatures below 39°F.

Daffodil bulbs should be planted 6-8 inches deep in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. The pointy side should be facing up. Space daffodil bulbs 3-6 inches apart. After planting, water them thoroughly. While a shovel or trowel is great for digging, an auger and drill can make daffodil bulb planting a lot easier. Both the Improved Bulb Auger and KneeSaver™ Planting Tool are time savers. Using an all-natural, slow-release fertilizer, like Van Bourgondien 100% Natural Bulb Food, at planting time can also give your daffodils a boost.

When to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

Daffodil bulbs, like other spring-blooming bulbs, should be planted in the fall, usually between September and November. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the weather cools (usually after a frost) and to plant at least 2-4 weeks before the ground freezes. To make sure that you're ready for daffodil bulb planting season and for the best selection of daffodil bulbs, we recommend ordering your daffodil bulbs from late summer to fall.

Where To Plant Daffodils

Daffodils can be grown throughout much of the United States, thriving in zones 4-9. To find your hardiness zone, use our zone finder. Like other bulbs, daffodil bulbs require well-drained soil. In heavy clay and poorly drained soils, the bulbs may rot. Daffodil flowers also require full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) to partial shade. When selecting spaces for your daffodils bulbs, keep in mind that daffodils can be planted under deciduous trees that leaf out later in the spring. Because daffodil foliage must be left up after flowering, choose areas that don't require mowing or trimming until after the foliage has matured. Some places to plant daffodil bulbs include hillsides, the edges of woods, in flower beds and underneath trees.

How to Grow Daffodils

Daffodils are winter hardy in temperate regions. Adding mulch can suppress weeds and protect the bulbs in areas where winter temperatures are extremely cold.

After the daffodils are done blooming in the spring, the flowers can be deadheaded for a neater appearance. Make sure to leave the foliage, as it's making food for next year's blooms.

If growing daffodil bulbs in pots, allow the foliage to fade naturally. Then dig up the daffodil bulbs and store them in a cool, dry place. Many gardeners like to replant them in the garden in the fall, and then purchase new daffodil bulbs for pots.

Daffodil bulbs can be divided every 3-5 years. Wait until after the foliage has died back before dividing them.

Daffodil Flower FAQs

Pests and Diseases

Daffodils are fairly trouble-free perennials. Deer and rabbits tend to pass them by due to a poisonous liquid called lycorine in the bulb and stem. While insect pests aren't common, they may include slugs, snails, bulb scale mite, the narcissus bulb fly and the narcissus nematode. The most common problem with daffodils is bulb rot. To help prevent this, plant daffodil bulbs in well-drained soils and avoid planting in poorly drained soils.

Harvesting Tips

Daffodils make stunning cut flowers. For floral displays, cut the daffodil stem when the daffodil flower buds are full and almost ready to open.

When to Transplant Daffodil Bulbs

The best time to transplant daffodil bulbs are when they are dormant. This is after the foliage has turned brown, usually in late spring to early summer. Daffodil bulbs are usually divided every 3-5 years.

How to Plant Daffodils in Clumps

Daffodils look best planted in bunches or clusters. To plant daffodils in clumps, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and evenly space the daffodil bulbs 3-6 inches apart.

How to Care for Daffodils After They Bloom

Cut or deadhead daffodil flowers after they fade. Do not cut the foliage. Allow the foliage to brown and fade.

When to Cut Down Daffodils

The daffodil foliage continues to absorb nutrients and create energy for next year's blooms for about six weeks after the flowers bloom. Do not cut the foliage during this time.

Types of Daffodils

Double Daffodils - Eye-catching and beautiful, Double Daffodils are packed with an extra layer of petals. This gives the flowers a full, frilly appearance. These daffodils are great for planting in small groups near a walkway or entrance where garden visitors can get a close-up view of the beautiful flowers.

Jonquilla Daffodils - Sometimes called jonquil or rush daffodils, these dainty flowers bloom in mid to late spring, often with up to five fragrant flowers per stem. They typically grow about 12 inches tall and have clumps of rush-like, dark green leaves. They're most impressive when planted in drifts or masses.

Large Cupped Daffodils - These popular types of daffodils feature large, single flowers on strong stems. Large Cupped Daffodils stand up to rainy spring weather and come in an array of colors including white, yellow, orange and salmon-pink. Blooming in mid spring, they're ideal for mass plantings and naturalizing. They're also impressive cut flowers.

Trumpet Daffodils - Noted for their long cups, often long or longer than the petals, Trumpet Daffodils bloom in early to mid-spring. They usually have one showy flower per stem and are available in an array of colors including white, yellow, orange and pink hues. They're impressive in mass plantings, naturalized areas and cut-flower displays.

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