Growing Guides: How to Grow Daffodils
Did you know that the Daffodil is the flower of March? Plant daffodil bulbs in the fall (between September and the end of November) to have plenty of Narcissus flowers in the Spring. This is the complete guide for growing daffodils in your garden!
A Guide to Growing Daffodils and Narcissi
You just can’t have too many daffodils in your garden! From delicate miniature daffodils to large trumpet varieties, check out our product pages for inspiration when planting daffodils for a spring display to delight the eye.
How To Grow Daffodils?
Other names for daffodil include narcissus or jonquil. Narcissus is the more botanical, Latin term for the flower. Daffodil bulbs also naturally repel squirrels and other rodents and are a good choice if you have had a problem with small creatures trying to take a bite out of your flower bulbs in the past!
Growing Daffodil Bulbs Step-By-Step:
- In the Fall, choose a spot that is mostly sunny or has only light shade. Also make sure that the location has fairly good drainage and does not tend to get waterlogged.
- Planting daffodil bulbs is fairly simple. Bulbs look much like a small onion, sometimes with a spike or point on one side and sometimes with wiry roots growing out of the other side. Plant with the spike pointing up.
- Follow the rule of thumb when planting bulbs and give the bulbs at least 2 times their height of soil above them. Narcissus like a deep planting in light soil. Dig a 6-7 inch hole, drop the bulb into it and cover with soil.
- Regarding the spacing between bulbs, if planting in beds, leave approx 5-6 inches between each bulb. If you are planting in containers, you can cluster them a little closer together.
- After planting, water well so that the soil above the bulbs settles.
- Daffodil bulbs will flower in the spring. After the flowers die back in late spring or early summer, let the plant enjoy a drier, warmer rest period. After leaves die back, stop watering so that the bulb can rest.
- In cooler zones, you can leave daffodil bulbs in the ground over winter so that they can receive their required period of winter cooling in order to flower the following Spring.
Growing Daffodils for Months of Spring Color
Most daffodils need a period of cold weather over the winter, so are best for growing in zones 7 and lower. If you live in a warmer area, information on the most suitable daffodil and narcissi bulbs will be detailed on our product pages.
Planting Daffodils Outside:
- Daffodils should be planted in fall - usually between September and late in November, depending on your location. The ideal soil temperature for planting is around 60° Fahrenheit.
- Choose a sunny spot and dig a hole that is at least 2" deeper than the height of the bulb. If daffodil bulbs aren’t planted deep enough, they may not bloom. For larger displays, it’s easiest to dig a trench and then position the bulbs. Plant daffodils in rows or groups with the pointed tips upwards (three or five together gives a natural effect). Allow 4" - 6" between each bulb.
- Keep well watered for 2 - 3 weeks if the weather is dry to help the roots to establish. As the leaves appear in spring, water again if necessary.
- After blooming, don’t cut back the stems and leaves but allow them to die back naturally.
Growing Daffodils in Containers
Daffodils also provide a lovely display when planted in pots and containers. Plant at the same depth but more closely; positioning them in layers will give a more lavish show next spring. Some varieties, such as narcissus Paperwhite, are specially bred for growing indoors, where a pot in bloom will perfume the whole room.
Extend the daffodil season over two or even three months by choosing early, mid and late varieties. For added interest, try combining snowdrops, crocuses or tulips when planting daffodils, and enjoy enchanting color in your garden next spring
> Shop All Fall-Planted Daffodil Bulbs
More questions about growing Daffodils
| How to care for daffodils? | How deep do you plant daffodil bulbs? | |
| When to plant tulips and daffodils? | When to plant daffodils? | What types of daffodils are there? |
| How to plant daffodils in pots? |
|