Everything you need to know about daffodil bulbs

How long does daffodil bloom last?
Under the right condition’s daffodils will bloom for 6-8 weeks.

What is the best month to plant daffodil bulbs?
Early autumn is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs. You can plan to plant your bulbs anytime between September to November for the best results.

How many times does a daffodil bloom?
Daffodils will only bloom once a year in spring. However, if you care for them properly and they grow in the right conditions then they will come back year after year.

Can I plant daffodils in December?
Yes, daffodils will do perfectly fine, even if planted well into December, but you must make sure to get them in before any frost appears, so that they can start producing roots.

How many years will daffodils come back?
They will return for many years. Daffodils are reliable spring-flowering bulbs that have no problem blooming each year.

How long does it take for a daffodil to grow from bulb?
It usually take 5 to 6 weeks for root to begin showing from the bottom which will be followed by shoots on the top. After this chilling period the flower will bloom. Overall it will take 12 to 15 weeks until the bulb will flower.

How do you plant and grow daffodils?
Read our guide on how to grow daffodils and narcissus here!

Can you leave daffodil bulbs in the ground all year?
Yes, as these spring-blooming bulbs naturalise you can leave them in the ground, and they will bloom year after year while multiplying.

Should I deadhead my daffodils?
You do not need to deadhead your daffodils but if you choose to then you can follow these steps:

• Wait until the flowers fade, lose their colour and start to go brown.
• Remove the dead flower and the top inch of stalk. Leave the rest of the plant to photosynthesise as it will feed itself as it dies back.

Why haven't my daffodils got any flowers?
The most common cause of daffodil blindness is bulbs being planted too shallow. Daffodil bulbs must be planted at least 3 times their height in the soil.

Why are there no flowers on my daffodils this year?
This usually indicates that the bulb did not store enough food during the previous season.

Why didn't my daffodils come up?
Daffodils will struggle to bloom if you have cut the foliage down before the leaves have yellowed and began to die back. If you do this, the foliage will not be able to store food correctly hence the daffodil will struggle to bloom.

Do daffodils bloom in April?
It depends on where you live in the UK, what your typical climate is like, and the variety of daffodil, but usually these bulbs will bloom around March, with peak time being April.

Can I plant daffodils in February?
Daffodils and any other spring-blooming bulbs need to be planted in autumn so that they have enough time to settle and grow roots. You can try to plant daffodils in February, but it is likely that your display will be unsuccessful.

Do daffodils grow back if you pick them?
These plants can withstand a stem breaking and the daffodil will survive. But if you pull it out in a hurry or cut it back before the foliage has turned yellow then the bulb will struggle to produce a flower the following year.

What do daffodils symbolise?
These spring-blooming flowers are a symbol of new beginnings and rebirth.

How often do you water daffodils?
Daffodils need approximately 1 inch of water per week while they are blooming. You should continue to water daffodils for about 3 weeks after they begin to fade so that they do not dry out.

How many daffodil bulbs should you plant together?
We would recommend planting 10 or more bulbs together as daffodils look best in groups where they can make an impact.

Where is the best place to plant daffodils?
Although daffodils are versatile, they do have preferred spots in the garden. Aim to plant these bulbs in sunny patch with well-drained soil for the best possible outcome in spring.

Do daffodils multiply?
Yes, daffodils to naturalise and produce new bulbs over time. You can find more information on naturalising daffodils here.

Do daffodils need a lot of water?
Yes, daffodils will need plenty of water while they are growing. You should aim to water them until the rainy season begins and then continue to water while they are blooming.

Do daffodils need sun or shade?
Daffodils prefer to be located where they get around 6 hours of sun a day, but they will still be successful if planted in partial shade.

How deep should you plant daffodil bulbs?
Plant your daffodils in the soil 3x the depth of the bulb. If you plant your bulbs too shallow, then they will not be successful.

Can I leave my daffodil bulbs in pots?
Leaving your bulbs in pots over winter is risky as cold winters can damage your bulbs. We would suggest removing the bulbs from the pots and storing them over winter like you would with other bulbs.

Can you plant other flowers on top of daffodil bulbs?
Yes, you can follow a process known as lasagne however gardeners usually like to keep all their daffodils grouped together.

How do you store daffodil bulbs for next year?
Once you have removed all the dead foliage (make sure it has turned yellow and wilted before you remove it), you can dig the bulbs out of the ground. Next you need to dry that bulbs out so leave them in a cool, dark place for approximately 24 hours. Once they have dried out you can place them into containers or paper bags and find someone where to store them that is cool and dry - we would recommend a garage or basement.
If you want more information of what to do with daffodils after they have have flowered you can read our blog post.

Does cutting daffodils encourage more flowers?
No, you need to leave these flowers and foliage until it has turned yellow. Cutting them too early will hinder its ability to grow back next year.

Do squirrels eat daffodil bulbs?
Good news is that squirrels will avoid eating daffodil bulbs and do not like the taste of daffodil flowers as they are not sweet enough.

Are daffodils poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes, these bulbs and their flowers are poisonous to both cat and dogs.

Do rats eat daffodil bulbs?
No, daffodil bulbs are poisonous to rodents so they will avoid these flower bulbs.

What is the best soil for daffodils?
Daffodils prefer loose and most importantly, well-draining soil.

What is a good size daffodil bulb?
It depends on the size of the flowers and the variety. Smaller blooms will have bulbs that are 12-14cm whereas bigger blooms have a bulb size of 14-16cm. Furthermore, small varieties such as Mini Daffodil Tete a Tete have a bulb size of 12cm+.