How and When to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

OK. At the time of publishing (August 2023), you’re probably thinking more about how to get the most out of your summer garden than the flowers that appear in spring. But, actually, September is the optimal time to plant daffodil bulbs. 

Daffodils: those sunny, cheerful blooms that brighten up a dull, wintered garden, indicating the turn of spring. And while their blooms last just a short time, their brief appearance transforms your faded winter garden into something altogether more cheerful. 

With a handy step-by-step guide, this article explores how and when to plant daffodil bulbs. 

Ready? Let’s go! 

What are daffodils?

The botanical name for the common-or-garden daffodil is “narcissus”, and these beautiful plants introduce a welcome touch of happiness to an overwintered garden. 

Daffs are hardy plants resistant to frost and cold temperatures, meaning that a single bulb will give you many years of springtime happiness. 

These jolly plants grow in early spring, although some species are later bloomers, bursting into flower as late as May. But once they’ve flowered, you’ll find a community of pollinators, such as butterflies and bees, all around your garden. 

And who doesn’t want that?

Types of daffodil

There are many different varieties of narcissus, each with unique characteristics and flowering windows:

• Early bloomers, flowering in February and March
• Late bloomers, which burst into flower in May 

For the best display of daffodils, I recommend planting several varieties so that you can enjoy that bright yellow bloom in your garden for longer. 

Additionally, you can differentiate between narcissus varieties by the shape and size of the flower. The traditional daff has that classic trumpet shape around the stamen, while other types include the double daffodil and the small-flowered variety. 

Double daffodil

The double daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus anglicus flore pleno) has a central petal cluster rather than a trumpet, often accompanied by ruffles and colourful tufts of splaying petals and leaves. 

Dwarf daffodils

Dwarf daffodils grow to less than 35cm in height, with tiny trumpet heads — perform for borders and pots. 

When to plant daffodil bulbs?

The optimal time to plant daffodil bulbs is in autumn before the soil freezes. This gives the bulb enough time to take root before the onset of winter. 

In general, the ideal time is September to November — don’t be tempted to plant them too early; new bulbs can rot in the ground if there’s a lot of summer rain. 

It’s also possible to plant daffodil bulbs a little later than November — as long as the soil isn’t frozen. But these bulbs are unlikely to flower in the following spring. 

The ideal soil temperature for planting daffodil bulbs is between 0ºC and 9ºC. Never plant below 0ºC because the bulb needs to have developed roots before exposure to frost. 

Where to plant daffodil bulbs?

Choose a sunny spot with moist, well-draining soil. If you have heavy clay soil, enrich the planting hole with organic matter, such as compost, to improve drainage. 

Daffodils in pots

Of course, daffodils often do as well in pots as in the ground, making them a great addition to a springtime patio. Use a peat-free potting soil, and place the pot in full sun. 

Remember, if daffodils are happy in their position, they’ll multiply over time — like garlic bulbs, frost triggers bulb division. 

While you’ll be happy for your daffs to spread across your garden, you’ll find that daffs in pots can get a little crowded. So, replace the potting soil and thin out the bulbs every few years. 

Daffodils in your lawn

Some people plant daffodils directly into their lawns, proffering a cottage feel to a garden. Use a bulb planter to remove the soil, which can be replaced after planting the bulb. 

How deep do you plant daffodil bulbs?

The general rule of thumb with bulb planting is to plant it double the depth of the bulb’s height. 

So, if your bulb is 5cm tall from root to tip, plant it 10cm into the soil. 

Always plant the bulb with the tip facing upwards and the root downwards. 

How far apart should you plant daffodil bulbs?

Bearing in mind the spreading tendency of daffodils, it’s wise to leave at least 10-15cm between each bulb when planting. This provides plenty of space for roots to develop, but it also includes room for the plant to bloom. 

How to plant daffodil bulbs: A step-by-step plan

Planting daffs is one of the more straightforward gardening tasks. However, here’s a handy check-list to ensure you get the best results: 

1. Prepare the soil

Loosen the soil with a spade or gardening fork, removing stones or compacted earth. Mix a little grit or compost into the surrounding soil if it’s compacted or heavy clay — this will assist drainage, preventing bulb rot. 

2. Dig the holes

Remember, keep the bulbs 10-15cm apart, and dig a hole twice as deep as the bulb’s height. 

3. Plant the bulbs

Plant each bulb root-side down, and then cover with earth. Don’t press the soil too hard — you want oxygen to reach the bulb. 

4. Water

Your bulbs will take root more quickly if you water them immediately after planting. 

How to care for daffodils 

It’s typically straightforward to maintain a daffodil plant. However, use this troubleshooting guide to determine why a daffodil isn’t thriving:

• Daffodils failing to flower — check the soil’s drainage; the bulb could be slowly rotting. 
• Daffodil flowers dying off quickly — ensure your daffs are getting enough water. Typically, they need 1cm of water each week.

My favourite daffodil varieties

• Narcissus Jetfire — March/April flowering, with lovely yellow petals and an orange trumpet. Height & spread, 20x10cm
• Rijnveld’s Early Sensation — flowers in December in south-facing sunny spots, as long as it’s sheltered. A stunning variety with large, windmill-style flowers. H&S — 35x20cm
• Minnow — produces clusters of “cup-and-saucer” blooms in March and April. White petals surrounding a yellow trumpet and a sweet fragrance. Needs full sun. H&S — 20x10cm
• Spellbinder — the classic daffodil with yellow petals and a yellow trumpet, which fades to white over time. Flowers in March or April. H&S — 50x10cm

What to do with faded daffodils

Avoid cutting the foliage back immediately after the blooms have faded — this is an essential period for the plant, as it continues to extract nutrients from the soil and the sun. 

Once the foliage has turned yellow, cutting it back to the ground is OK. There’s no need to lift the bulbs — just leave them there for next year. 

FAQs

Any questions?

I hope you have all the answers you need to enjoy beautiful, abundant daffodils in your garden. But if you have questions, don’t hesitate to email us.

Or check out our Help & Advice section — for all your garden and lawn care questions!  

Thanks for reading. And happy gardening.