How to Care for Daffodils: Everything You Need to Know

Daffodils are some of the easiest flowers to grow. And for the fairly low amount of care they require, they sure pack a big punch! Their bright yellow flowers are a surefire way to liven up any outdoor garden space, and they make wonderful cut flowers, too! In this guide for how to care for daffodils, we’ll go over everything you need to know to make your daffodil season successful.

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Why Plant Daffodils?

Here are a few reasons why I love growing daffodil flowers and will grow them for years to come!

• Easy to grow. Daffodils are reliable flowers that require little care compared to many other options. If you’re a Lazy Girl Gardener like me, add daffodil plants to your list!
• Early blooms. For daffodils, planting time is in the fall before the ground freezes. This means that you can expect to see those bright yellow flower buds emerging the following spring. Depending on your zone, daffodil blooms generally arrive in the early spring, as soon as March.
• Ideal cut flowers. Daffodils create a bright yet very natural look that’s perfect for adding to your next floral arrangement. They’re also hardy plants that can last for up to 10 days in a vase.
• They come back every year!
• You can grow them in pots (see them here in my bulb lasagna pots!)
• Deer, squirrels and rabbits leave them alone!
• There are so many varieties.

Top Tips for Planting Daffodils

Planning your garden? Here are the most important things you need to know about planting daffodils.

• Choose a sunny spot. Daffodils thrive in full sun. As you search for a good location for planting daffodils, look for a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day.
• Well-drained soil is best. Daffodil bulbs need plenty of good drainage. In tight soils or heavy clay soils, it can be helpful to add some well-rotted compost or planting mix to help keep the ground from becoming waterlogged. Some gardeners like planting daffodil bulbs on a hill so that the water can easily flow away from the plants.
• Pointy end up! When planting, insert your bulb in the soil with the pointy side up so that the flower can easily find its way to the sun. The simplest way to know how deep to plant is to dig a hole that’s 2-3 times as deep as the depth of the bulb.
• Plant during the fall. The best time to plant daffodils is in the fall, when the soil temperature is about 60°F and before the ground freezes. You’ll enjoy beautiful blooms in your spring garden early on in the growing season! (There are, however, a few cases in which you may want to consider planting your daffodil bulbs in the spring!)

Ready to get started? My Complete Guide for How to Plant Daffodils will walk you through every step of the process of knowing when, where, and how to plant your daffodil bulbs! 

How to Care for Daffodils

So your daffodils are planted – now what?! Here’s what you need to know about growing daffodils so that you can harvest these gorgeous flowers for years to come! 

How Often Should You Water Daffodils?

During the spring and fall, water your daffodil bulbs about once a week. It’s very important to give your daffodils enough water without water logging them.

Like most flower bulbs, daffodils need regular watering, but they also need well-draining soil. Too much sitting water will cause the bulbs to rot. Your climate will also determine how often you should water. If the soil feels dry to the touch, your plants are probably thirsty. Give them some water! 

Stop watering in the late spring and summer when the flowers have faded. This is the time when daffodils are dormant, and they prefer dry soil during the summer months.

How Long Will Daffodils Bloom?

Daffodils typically bloom for about 6-8 weeks. 

With proper care, they’ll continue to bloom every spring for many years!

If your bulbs don’t flower properly, you might consider moving them to a different location for the next year.

What to Do When Daffodils Are Done Blooming for the Year

Once your daffodils have finished blooming for the season, you’ll notice that their foliage starts to dry up and turn yellow. Resist the urge to cut them! The foliage will continue to absorb valuable energy from the sunlight.

Once they’ve completely died and turned brown, you can cut back the foliage. 

Most gardeners leave the bulbs in the ground during the year. However, some like to dig up the bulbs and store them in a dry location until the next planting season in the fall. This can be a good option if you want to use the garden space for another crop during the summer months.

Dividing Daffodils

Healthy bulbs will continue to multiply each year. This means that after awhile, you’ll need to divide your bulbs to prevent overcrowding. 

How do you know when your bulbs are overcrowded? You might notice:

• Smaller blooms
• Fewer blooms than previous years
• Tightly packed bulbs that seem to be crowding each other out

In general, your bulb clusters will need to be divided about every 3-5 years.

To divide your bulbs, use a shovel to gently dig up a cluster, being careful not to pierce the bulbs themselves. Then, move some of them away into another well-draining, sunny location. Replant the bulbs as soon as possible for best results, and be sure to water them thoroughly.

Should You Fertilize Daffodils?

Daffodils are fairly hardy plants to grow, but proper fertilization can help to ensure that they have everything they need to thrive. If you have poor soil, you should especially consider adding some fertilizer to help your bulbs along. 

The two best times to fertilize are:

• After planting. Just after planting in the fall, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or 10-15-10 mix to the soil surface. Bone meal is also a good option for fertilizing daffodils. Fall fertilization will simply help ensure that they have the nutrients they need for proper growth.
• In the spring. Alternatively, you can also fertilize your daffodil plants in the spring, about six weeks before they bloom and when you notice about 1-2 inches of foliage. This can be especially helpful for mature plants that need a little extra boost. 

In many cases, daffodils will do just fine without fertilizer. But if you notice that they aren’t looking as healthy as they should, it doesn’t hurt to give them a little bit of help.

Caring for Indoor Daffodils 

You can also grow daffodils indoors. Although daffodils usually bloom in the springtime, when you grow daffodils indoors, you can actually “force” them to bloom in the winter months. To do this, you’ll want to start around October or November. 

When you force bloom daffodil bulbs, you’ll need to start by chilling them for about three months. This mimics the winter chill they would normally experience if they were in the ground during the winter months. You can chill your bulbs in a refrigerator, root cellar, or unheated garage. 

In the late fall, plant your bulbs using a 6-inch pot. Plant 3-5 bulbs close together, but not touching. This will allow them to help support each other as they grow. Be sure to use firm bulbs and a well-draining commercial potting mix. 

Plant them with the pointy side up, and leave about 1″ of the tip exposed above the soil. Water lightly after planting.

Once they’re planted, move the pot to a dark place that’s between 35°F and 50°F. You want them to be chilled, but not freezing. Check the soil with your finger every couple of weeks. If it’s dry, water it lightly. Too much water can cause your bulbs to rot. 

When you start to see shoots coming up, it’s time to bring your plants inside. You should start seeing shoots after about 2-3 months. 

At this point, keep your pot in a sunny, cool location (55°F to 60°F is ideal). As you wait for your flower buds to appear, turn the pot every day to allow each side to be exposed to the sun. This will help facilitate straight growth for your plants. 

You should start seeing flowers in about 3-6 weeks. There’s nothing like enjoying those beautiful bright yellow blooms right inside your home during the dreary end of winter! 

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xoxo,

Kelly