Here's What You Need to Grow the Most Beautiful Daffodil Flowers
You know winter is nearly over when daffodils begin to emerge in your garden. These popular spring bulbs are most well-known for their yellow flowers but, depending on the variety, they also bloom in white, pink, orange, or bicolor.
Also known as narcissus, daffodils are native to Europe and North Africa and are planted in the fall. (The bulbs need to overwinter underground in order to bloom.) They grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. (Find your zone here.)
If you live in an area with plenty of deer and rodents who like to feast on your garden bulbs, you can plant daffodil bulbs as they won't bother these plants.
Daffodils Basic Info
Common names: Daffodil, Narcissus
Botanical name: Narcissus
Plant family: Amaryllidaceae
Plant Type: Bulb
Toxicity: Toxic to cats, dogs and people
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Loose and well-drained
Preferred Soil/PH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)
Mature size: 6 to 30 inches tall, 6 to 12 inches wide
Bloom time: Late winter, spring
Native areas: Africa, Europe
Colors: Yellow, White, Orange
Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Daffodil Care
Daffodils make wonderful bulbs for beginner gardeners as they don't need special care.
"A daffodil will thrive when it has the right environment to grow in," says Jay Hutchins, vice president of the American Daffodil Society. "As long as the bulbs are planted at the right time and are watered properly during their growing season, you'll likely have a bounty of daffodil blooms."
Light
Daffodils are sun-loving plants and need plenty of light to grow and thrive. Pick an area that gets full sun—at least 6 hours of sun is good, but 8 hours would be better," says Hutchins.
Soil
Grow daffodils in loose, well-draining soil to minimize the chances of bulbs rotting.
"Daffodils need good drainage, especially during their summer dormancy or they may rot," says Hutchins. If you need to improve your soil's drainage, add some sand and compost.
"The sand will help with drainage, and the compost will add nutrients into the dead wasteland of the clay soil," he says.
Temperature
Daffodil bulbs should be planted once temperatures are cooler, typically in fall, before the ground freezes, depending on your geographical region. Daffodil bulbs need cold weather and a period of cold dormancy to produce blooms. If you live in an area that doesn't have frost or cold temperatures, it may be challenging to have your daffodil bulbs bloom.
Water
Daffodils need plenty of water during their growing period in late winter and spring. Water after you plant the bulbs. Make sure the soil stays moist until the rainy season but it should never be soggy. Once they bloom, continue to water them for several weeks, and then stop watering your daffodils.
During their dormant period in summer, they don't need to be watered.
Fertilizer
Many plants can benefit from an extra-nutrient boost, and daffodils are no exception. Hutchins says plant experts typically recommend gardeners "Feed in the Fall."
The American Daffodil Society recommends a complete fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, such as 3-6-6 or 5-10-10. It should be mixed in well with the soil, and shouldn't directly touch the bulbs. (Here's how to understand fertilizer numbers.)
Hutchins isn't a proponent of chemical fertilizers. It's difficult to provide the right dosage and easy to over-fertilize the bulbs, causing them to burn, he says.
If you do decide to use a chemical fertilizer, "it is strongly suggested that you wear gloves and a mask during application." But: "why would you apply something that is so risky to your own health or that of your family?"
He recommends using compost for your daffodils instead of chemical-based fertilizer. "Compost contains all the nutrients and minerals that work well with almost all plants," he says. "You can't overdo it."
Are Daffodils Toxic to Pets?
Yes, the ASPCA states that daffodils are toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and if ingested can cause diarrhea and vomiting. The bulbs are the most poisonous and if large amounts are consumed, it can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, low blood pressure, and tremors.
When to Plant Daffodils
Bulbs should be planted in the fall, though the month can vary based on geographical location and first frost dates. "The best time to plant daffodils is after the first killing frost," says Hutchins. "Even though all of us have an average "first frost" date listed under the USDA, don't just mark your calendar and think it will always happen that week." In Northern regions, this is usually in September or October and Southern areas, in October or November.
You don't want to plant bulbs too early as this can trigger the roots to grow. "If this is done too soon, they may not be able to handle over-abundant moisture, or they may be tricked into thinking it's time to start growing instead of root production," he says. When the soil is cold, growth is halted until the soil warms up again in the spring, triggering the growing process, he adds.
To store your bulbs until you're ready to plant them, simply keep them in a dark, cool, dry place, such as a basement, where they will remain dormant.
How to Plant Daffodils
Daffodil bulbs can be planted directly in the soil or in containers. When growing bulbs in pots, make sure the pot is deep enough. Typically a 2-gallon pot is enough for the roots to grow and spread out.
Space and depth are key to increasing your chances of successful blooming. The depth and width you should plant bulbs varies based on the bulb size. There's an easy rule of thumb to know how to plant them.
"Daffodils should be planted three times the bulb height deep and three times the bulb width apart," says Hutchins. Providing ample space acts as a protective blanket. "This depth protects them from possible harsh winter conditions," he says, "And the width allows the space to grow but also produces a nice, dense display."
Bulbs need to be planted with the pointy side up, with the root structure facing down. If you accidentally plant them upside down, won't worry; They'll still grow the right way, though it may take them a little longer.
Do You Need To Prune Daffodils?
After a daffodil blooms and fades, you can cut the old flowers.
There are two schools of thought on pruning: Some suggest cutting back the entire flower, to keep your garden looking pristine. Others recommend only removing the blooms.
Hutchins recommends only removing expired blooms rather than the rest of the plant.
"Even though the bloom has completed, the bulb's foliage is still photosynthesizing and adding needed energy for next spring's bloom," he says. "This is why you should also not braid the foliage together (as some gardeners do) because you're decreasing the surface space for photosynthesis to occur."
When the foliage turns yellow, it's a sign the bulb is dormant. He recommends waiting till this time before removing it.
How to Propagate Daffodils
One way to propagate daffodils is by splitting or dividing the bulb. There are varying opinions on how frequently you should divide daffodils or if you even need to do it. The American Daffodil Society suggests dividing bulbs every couple of years.
Here's how to propagate daffodils by division
During the summer, once the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry—usually within a month and a half to two months—snip the leaves down to three inches.
Loosen the soil with a garden fork and carefully dig up the bulb.
Remove the daffodil bulb and shake off any soil. Look for soft spots and pest damage on the bulbs. If there are any issues with the bulbs, toss them.
To divide the bulbs, you'll carefully split or break off newer bulbs that have formed on the 'parent' bulb' by twisting and moving them in the opposite direction until they break off. Bulbs should be at least one and a half inches in diameter for chances to bloom the next year. Smaller bulbs will take longer to produce flowers.
You can choose to replant new bulbs or save them for the following season. If you save them, store bulbs the in a cool dark area.
Can You Grow Daffodils From Seed?
Daffodils can be grown from seed but it takes a significant amount of time— five to six years— for seeds to become viable bulbs. This technique isn't common, especially among hobby gardeners. Professional horticulturists do sometimes use this method.
Should You Divide Daffodils?
When it comes to dividing daffodils, there are different perspectives on whether this is something that is needed. Dividing is the process of splitting bulbs or removing newer bulbs from the original bulb. "If you planted 25 bulbs and got 25 blooms the first year, but in year 5 there are 15 blooms, feel free to divide them if that makes you happy," says Hutchins.
When bulbs produce fewer blooms over the years it's due to a lack of nutrients in the soil, he says. "If you're not feeding every fall, your 25 bulbs have depleted all the nutrients from that area and they're starving," says Hutchins. "What a bulb will do is sacrifice the energy for bloom creation, and instead create foliage that goes up to gather more sunlight for food."
Hutchins suggests making sure your bulbs have adequate nutrients instead of dividing them.
"We have daffodils that have been in the ground for over 80 years. We've never dug them up or divided them," he says. He says they feed them every fall. "This is far easier on your body and it takes far less time—So, you choose. I know what I'd pick!"
Should I Dig Up Bulbs or Leave Them In the Ground?
Once daffodils bloom and fade, the show is over. They won't rebloom and the leaves will start to turn yellow. If you're focused on aesthetics, you may be tempted to trim the leaves but let them be. The yellowing leaves will continue to absorb sunlight, feeding the bulbs for the following year's flowers.
Now, you can dig up the bulbs, let them dry and store them to plant in the fall. This frees up space in the garden for summer flowers. Another option is to leave the bulbs in the ground.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Daffodils are hardy plants and don't usually have issues with pests or diseases but can be afflicted by bulb rot, and narcissus yellow strip virus. Pests include bulb mites and narcissus bulb fly.
The narcissus bulb fly looks like a bumblebee and female adults lay eggs on the top of the bulbs and the leaves. When the eggs hatch, small grubs chomp their way to the bulbs. "Adult bulb flies prefer warm, sheltered environments, making daffodils in shaded or exposed areas less susceptible to infestation," says Hutchins. One trick to prevent females from laying their eggs near your daffodils is compacted soil. "After the daffodils have flowered, compact the soil around the plants to hinder female flies from laying their eggs," he says. "When it comes time to cut back your foliage, either rake the soil or add more soil to cover any holes that might allow access through the stem."
One of the best ways to avoid these flies is to choose quality bulbs. "To prevent large narcissus bulb flies from entering your garden, purchase firm, high-quality bulbs from reputable suppliers," says Hutchins.
Check on your plants periodically to look for any pests. "In the spring, look for signs of an infestation like premature wilting or yellowing of the foliage, stunted growth, holes in the bulbs, and the presence of the larvae," says Hutchins. "Any plants showing signs of bulb fly attack should be dug up and disposed of before the larvae leave the bulbs to pupate in the soil," he says.
Common Daffodil Diseases
Bulb Rot
Bulbs planted in soil that doesn't drain well can be prone to rotting. This is known as bulb rot. If you notice this, remove and throw out the rotting bulbs to prevent them from spreading or affecting other bulbs.
Narcissus Yellow Strip Virus
If you notice yellow and brown stripes on the leaves, this is a sign that your daffodils are afflicted with the Narcissus Yellow Strip Virus. Unfortunately, there is nothing to remedy your bulbs. Remove affected bulbs and discard them to prevent the virus from spreading to other bulbs.
Note: Do not place diseased bulbs in the compost bin as it can potentially spread wherever you use finished compost in your garden. Toss disease or afflicted bulbs in the trash.
Troubleshooting Daffodils
Yellowing leaves
After daffodils bloom, the leaves begin to turn yellow. This typically happens in late May or in June, depending on your geographical region. Yellowing leaves is a sign to dig up the bulbs.
Yellowing leaves can also happen if it's been attacked by the yellow narcissus strip virus. If this is the case, dig up the bulbs and toss them in the trash to prevent the virus from spreading to other bulbs.
Bulbs Drying Out
Daffodils grown in extremely hot or cold regions can cause the bulbs to dry out before they have a chance to bloom.
Brown Leaves
Daffodils need plenty of water during their growing season. Soil that isn't kept moist can affect the leaves and flowers. If daffodils don't have enough water, this can cause leaves to turn brown or even split. Consider placing a layer of mulch to help retain more moisture in the soil as well as provide a protective layer in the colder months.
How to Increase Chances of Blooming
Daffodils typically bloom when their care needs are met. If daffodils aren't flowering, here are some possible issues:
Quality bulbs
"I'd start with a quality flower bulb supplier," says Hutchins. A high-quality bulb will influence how well your daffodils grow and thrive in your garden.
Bulbs planted upside down
The orientation of the bulb is essential for daffodils to flower. Bulbs need to be planted with the pointed end up.
Bulbs too small
The smaller the bulb, the longer it takes to bloom. If the bulbs are too small, it may take
Insufficient sunlight
Daffodils need plenty of sunlight to produce blooms. Although they can handle dappled sunlight, too much shade can prevent them from flowering.
Types of Daffodils
There are over 40 Narcissus species and thousands of registered cultivars. Home gardeners have plenty of choices for choosing and growing daffodil bulbs. Daffodils come in different colors, shapes, and sizes and are classified into 13 divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to plant daffodil bulbs?
Fall is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs. The best month will depend on your geographical region. Typically, you'll plant daffodil bulbs between September and November.
Where do daffodils grow best?
Daffodils need and love sunlight. Choose an area in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. They can grow with some dapple sunlight but to have success, make sure they're receiving the minimum hours of sunlight per day.
How can you grow daffodils?
Daffodils grow from bulbs and thrive in an area that receives plenty of sun—a minimum of six hours per day.
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