How to Grow Daffodils: The Complete Daffodil Flower Guide (2024)

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Daffodils do best in full sun, though they will grow in partial shade. They’re generally not picky about soil, but good drainage is vital as they are susceptible to rot when kept too wet. Hillsides and raised beds work well. Otherwise, improve clay soil by amending it (12 inches deep) withorganic material such as well-rottedcompost.

When to PlantDaffodils

• Plant daffodil bulbs in the fall—at least2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes. See local frost dates.

How to PlantDaffodils

• Plant the bulb with the top (pointy end)set about 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. For example, the top of a 2-inchbulb should beabout 4 inchesin the ground,while a 3-inch bulbshould be planted 5 to6inchesdeep.
• Where winters are severe, make sure there are at least 3 inches of soil covering thebulb.
• Daffodils will tolerate crowding, but they prefer to be placed about 3 to 6 inchesapart.
• It may help to sprinkle a little bulb fertilizer in the hole during planting. Learn more about preparing soil for planting.
• Resist the temptation to uncover spring-flowering plants such as daffodils and tulips. You can loosen mulch, but the shoots will still benefit from protection against cold, dryingwinds in earlyspring.
• Daffodils contain something called oxalic acid—a substance that makes them unpalatable to most rodent pests. However, if yours are being bothered, consider adding sharp pieces of shells or a pelleted rodent deterrent into and around each plantinghole.

• Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potash (potassium) fertilizer after flowering if bulbs are not performing as desired. Learn more about preparing the soil for planting andsoil amendments.
• Water late-flowering daffodils in dry spring weather (flowers may abort in dryconditions).
• Lift and divide the clumps when flowering becomes sparse or the clumpscongested.

After DaffodilsBloom

• After the flowers fade, you can deadhead (pinch off) the fadedflowers.
• However, do NOT remove the leaves until they turn yellow. Daffodils use their leaves to store energy in the bulbs for next year’s flower. The plant continues to absorb nutrients for about 6 weeks after the flowers have faded. If you cut or mow them back too early, they will not bloom nextyear.
• Keep watering the plants even if the blooms havefaded.
• Once the leaves have yellowed and died back naturally, you can snip off the dead leaves at the base (or pull lightly while twisting the leaves). You can also mow the area withoutworry.
• Once daffodils (and tulips) have gone by, add bonemeal to the soil for next year’sblooms.

If the dying leaves offend your sensibility, plant other bulbs, such as daffodils, daylilies, or true lilies, in the same area so they hide the fadingfoliage.

According to the American Daffodil Society, there are 13 official daffodil flower types and more than 25,000 namedcultivars!

Whatever variety you choose, the most important tip is: Get the best quality bulbs for the best flowers. The bigger the bulbs, the better. Look for top-size bulbs, the biggest bulbs on themarket.

• ‘Dutch Master’is the classic daffodil—big and yellow with a very large cup and oversize trumpets. They bloom early,naturalize easily, and are great for planting inmasses.

• ‘Barrett Browning’ is the recognizable pure white daffodil with a bright orange trumpet surrounded by a golden halo. They bloom early,naturalize easily, and do well in warmer climates,too.

• ’Tahiti’ is a stunner with layers of rounded, golden yellow petals interspersed with frilly, red-orange accents. They bloom mid to late season, last longer, and make an excellent cutflower.

• ‘Tete a Tete’ is an adorable mini daffodil that blooms early and blooms for weeks as one of the most long-blooming varieties. Ideal for flower beds and containers and naturalizes withease.

• ‘Jetfire’ is another mini daffodil with bright orange cups and swept-back yellow petals. It blooms in early spring, is very long-lasting, and doesn’t flopover.

• ‘Petit Four’ is a good choice for a partially shady site. The flower has white petals with a double cup of apricot pink and grows 16inchestall.
• ‘Cheerfulness’ bears double flowers and multiple blooms per stem; this daffodil is very fragrant with a lovely gardenia-like scent. Blooms in late spring and makes an excellent cutflower.
• ‘Thalia’ is an all-white daffodil, making it wonderful for moon gardens. Learn about 20 pure white flowers to include in your garden.

See plenty more varietieshere!

• When cutting daffodils, keeping these flowers in their own vase is best as their stems secrete a fluid that promotes the wilting of other flowers. If you must combine them, soak them by themselves for as long as possible, then rinse them and add them to the arrangement last. Learn more about keeping cut flowers fresh.
• Note that contact with the sap of daffodils may irritate skin or aggravate skinallergies.

Catherine Boeckmann