How to Grow Daffodils

Daffodils, also called Narcissus, are some of the most eye-catching and cheerful flowers seen in spring beds and borders. With their bright yellow, white, or orange trumpet-shaped blooms, they are a favourite in gardens across the UK, and a clear sign that warmer weather is just around the corner. As a bonus, daffodil bulbs are also incredibly easy to grow! 

This guide will walk you through how to grow daffodil bulbs step by step, from preparing the ground and caring for the bulbs to cutting daffodils for indoor arrangements

Daffodils do best in areas where they can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, so pick a sunny spot to plant your bulbs. They can tolerate partial shade, but full shade may result in fewer blooms.

Preparing the soil is the first step to growing healthy daffodils. Follow these steps to ensure bright, beautiful displays:

• Weed and aerate: Clear away any weeds and debris and loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches with a garden fork. Breaking up any compacted areas will help make it easier for roots to grow.
• Add fertiliser: Mix in plenty of organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, and add an all-purpose plant fertiliser (following the dosage instructions provided) to help improve soil health.
• Check drainage: Daffodils prefer well-drained soil. Mixing the soil with organic matter should help improve drainage, but you can also add in some grit if necessary.
• Test the pH: Daffodils prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Test your soil before planting and adjust it if necessary: you can add lime to raise the pH, or soil sulphur to lower it.

If you want to grow daffodils in planters or pots, use multi-purpose compost and choose a container with drainage holes to prevent the bulbs from becoming waterlogged. 

The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is in autumn, from late September to November. This gives the bulbs plenty of time to grow strong roots before the winter cold sets in. Planting too late can result in the bulbs coming up ‘blind’ (with foliage, but no flowers), while planting too early can lead to bulb rot or deformed blooms.

To plant daffodil bulbs, all you need to do is dig a hole in the soil wide and deep enough for the bulb and place it with the pointy end facing up. Cover each bulb with soil, press down lightly, and water the area thoroughly.

Spacing daffodil bulbs

Plant daffodil bulbs at a depth of four to six inches, or two to three times the height of the bulb. Bury them too deep and the bulbs may bloom late or produce fewer flowers. However, plant them too shallow and new growth is exposed too soon, making them vulnerable to cold and pests.

Space the bulbs about three to six inches apart, giving them plenty of room to grow without competing for nutrients and water. It’s important that daffodil bulbs don’t touch each other, or they could rot.

For a more relaxed and natural-looking display, consider planting daffodils in clusters rather than straight rows. If you’re growing daffodils for cutting, however, straight rows can make it easier to harvest the flowers.

All it takes is a few simple steps to help daffodils thrive and flower beautifully. These tough perennials will come back year after year with some basic plant maintenance.

Water your daffodil bulbs thoroughly after planting, but avoid overwatering – the soil should not be waterlogged. Once established, daffodils don’t need much water, especially during their summer dormancy. In the growing season, water them only during prolonged dry spells (at least two weeks with no rain). 

Daffodils are fairly pest-resistant, but keep an eye out for slugs, snails, and narcissus flies. There are various pest control that can help if you notice signs of an infestation.

After your daffodils have finished flowering, deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plants to retain their energy in the bulb. Avoid cutting the leaves back too early, as they’re important for bulb development – remove them in late summer after they turn yellow and die.

Daffodils make lovely cut flowers, bringing a touch of spring indoors. For best results, harvest them in the “goose neck” stage, when the flowers have started to bend over but have not yet fully opened. This will give you the longest vase life. If harvested too early, when the unopened flowers are still upright, they may not open at all. 

Use a sharp knife, garden scissors, or shears to trim the stems at a 45-degree angle – this gives the stem as much surface area as possible to soak up moisture. Then, immediately place the cut daffodils in a vase of fresh water. 

Daffodils release a sap that can shorten the life of other flowers, so it’s best to display them in their own vase rather than mixing them with other types of flowers. If you want a mixed display, leave them in a vase on their own for a few hours, then add them to a vase of fresh water with other flowers.

To maximise the vase life of your daffodils, change their water daily and trim the stems every couple of days. Keep the arrangement in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Grow Daffodils with Johnsons Seeds

If you’re looking to fill your beds and borders with sunshine this spring, visit Johnsons Seeds. We have a fantastic selection of top-grade daffodil bulbs in every colour and style, from classic golden trumpets to dainty cream and bold orange varieties. All of ourflower bulbs are hand-selected for quality and delivered at the perfect time for planting, complete with full growing instructions to help you achieve spectacular results.