How to Grow Daffodils in Pots or Containers
Spring (can’t be) contained – growing daffodils in pots and containers
It’s March, and slowly but surely the first signs of spring are starting to show. Snowdrops have come and gone, Crocuses are showing their white, yellow or purple beauty, and the first brave birds have started to sing their songs. And suddenly they’re there: Daffodils and Narcissus. These spring favorites tend to pop up in the landscape when you least expect them. Little groups are dotting the lawn, and in borders everywhere their dark green foliage and yellow and white blooms are letting us know that spring is truly here. But what if you don’t have a lawn? Or the soil in your borders doesn’t drain that well? Good news: daffodils will do just as well in pots and containers, giving you the freedom to decide exactly where you want these happy flowers to grow.
How to grow daffodils in pots or containers – the best containers
Daffodils need a container that is 8-12” in diameter, and since their roots will reach down to about 12 inches, also 12” deep. As with all flower bulbs, your main mantra should be drainage, drainage, drainage. Make sure your container has holes in it for water to drain out of, as daffodil bulbs that sit in waterlogged ground will rot.
Growing daffodils in pots or containers – soil and planting
Planting time for pots and containers is the same as for your garden: Fall. It might seem a quick solution to fill your container with soil from your garden, but it’s better to use a mix of potting soil and sandy soil to mimic the ground the bulbs came from. Fertilizer is not necessary. Fill the container for about 2/3 with potting mix, then place the bulbs in a circle, but not touching, with their pointy ends up. Cover with your potting mixture and water well.
How to grow daffodils in pots or containers – after planting
After you’ve planted the daffodil bulbs, move the container to a dark and cool spot where the temperature remains between 40-45 degrees F at all times. Leave the pot there for about 12 to 15 weeks. Do check on them every now and again to make sure the soil hasn’t gone too dry, and water if needed. Alternatively, bury the whole pot in the ground just below the surface, and take it out in early spring.
Daffodils in pots or containers – going outside and aftercare
After the 15 weeks are over, it’s time to move the container to a sunny, but cool (50-65 F) spot, and continue to water them. Once leaves start emerging you can move the container into direct sunlight, but make sure it remains cool as too warm temperatures will mean less flowering. Water when the soil feels dry. When the blooms have faded you can snip them off, but leave the foliage until it’s withered. That way the nutrients can flow back into the bulb for the next season. Daffodils planted in containers can bloom for about 3 years in a row, but it’s better for the bulbs to put them back in the ground after one season in a container, and pot up fresh bulbs every year.
Beautiful daffodils in pots or containers - the best varieties
The easiest daffodils to grow in pots or containers are mini daffodils. And DutchGrown has loads to choose from. Start the season with pale gold Mini Daffodil Tete a Tete, via orange-trumpeted Mini Daffodil Jetfire all the way to late spring Mini Daffodil Pipit, with it’s amazing white trumpet. If you want to grow big & bold, kick off the season with scrumptious Daffodil Acropolis, followed by white and peach stunner Daffodil British Gamble, and end it with the unusual trumpet of white Daffodil Pheasant’s Eye.
Daffodils on your doorstep
Do you want to see daffodils not only in lawns and borders, but everywhere? Planting them in pots gives you the freedom to place daffodils wherever there’s enough sunlight. Visit our website and browse our collection of top-quality daffodils. Take your pick, place your order, and come fall we’ll deliver them right on your doorstep.
