HOW TO GROW DAFFODILS
Daffodils are pinnacle springtime flowers! As one of the first flowers to bloom in the new year,
they’ll cheer up those dark late winter days, making them a must-have for your garden
Whether you’re looking for beautiful spring borders or a pop of colour in your pots,
find out everything you need to know about growing Daffodil bulbs this autumn in our guide
HOW TO PLANT DAFFODILS
Plant daffodils in September or October in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. They flower from February onwards, but some varieties flower as easy as January – keep reading to find out how you can grow 5 months of daffodils
Daffodils can be grown in containers, borders, or naturalised in patches of grass or your lawn. Plant the bulbs about 4 inches deep, or roughly double the depth of the bulb size – read the instructions of each bulb variety to get the exact planting depth
In grass
Throw a handful of bulbs onto your lawn and plant them where they land. This gives a natural look, which looks the best. Use a bulb planter to pull out the soil out of the ground with ease. If you’d prefer to plant daffodils in your borders, make sure to space them about 2 bulb-widths apart
Growing in water and gravel
Fill any waterproof container with gravel or pebbles. Place your narcissus bulbs on top, keeping them close together. Then add water to the container. Be careful that the water level does not touch, or go higher than, the base of the bulbs. Place the container in a light, but cool place, such as a windowsill. Water sparingly
Grow Your Own Daffodil Indoor Container:
Fill about a half to two-thirds of a small container or pot with compost. Slowly add water to moisten the compost, being careful not to overwater. Place the narcissi bulbs close together for a more compact colour. Cover the bulbs with compost and then place in a cool, dark place for about 10 weeks. When the shoots are 5-10cm tall, move the container into a bright spot, watering sparingly.
Extra Tip: Regularly turn the pot to prevent stems bending towards the light.
DAFFODIL CARE
Deadhead your daffodils after flowering and let the foliage die down naturally so nutrients return to the bulb, and you’ll get an amazing display again next spring! If your Daffodils are growing on your lawn, don’t cut your grass until about June to make sure they’ve fully died down. For daffodils growing in pots, you can apply a slow-release bulb fertiliser each spring to give them a good boost
CHOOSING YOUR DAFFODILS
Daffodils are flamboyant in colour and shape – they come in various shades of cream white or lemon yellow, with a trumpet protruding from the centre in a contrasting shade. They come in many forms too, and can grow up to a height of 45cm!
Narcissus bulbs such as ‘Paperwhite’, ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Soleil d’Or’ are easy to grow. Other daffodil varieties include Narcissus King Charles (grown by our bulb supplier Taylors and named to honour our new King) and Narcissus Filly (which was Mary Berry’s favourite Daffodil when she visited Taylors in 2021!)
Taylors also have a UK Daffodil of the Year, which for 2024 is the Daffodil ‘June Allyson’
Get 5 Months of Daffodils
By carefully choosing the right varieties, it’s possible to have daffodils in flower for 5 months of the year! Plant these daffodil varieties for blooms in the first 5 months of the year:
Narcissus ‘January’ – flowers in January
Narcissus ‘February Gold’ – flowers in February
Narcissus ‘Fortune’ – flowers in March
Narcissus ‘Camelot’ – flowers in April
Narcissus ‘Pheasant’s Eye’ – flowers in May