How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs – A Complete Guide

After long winters, there’s nothing like seeing blooming daffodil flowers in your spring garden! Daffodils are one of my absolute favorite flowers. They’re so easy to grow and their cheerful blooms pop up in the early spring, heralding the warm spring and summer months. In this complete guide for how to plant daffodil bulbs, I’ll show you everything you need to know in order to have a successful daffodil season! 

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Why Grow Daffodils?

Here are five reasons why I love growing daffodils. 

• They’re easy. As a Lazy Girl Gardener, I’m all about growing plants that give the most benefit for the least amount of effort! Daffodils definitely fit! 
• They bloom early. These spring-blooming bulbs are planted in the fall and start to show their cheerful faces the following spring around March. This makes them one of the earliest blooming flowers and a much-needed bright spot after the long winter months! 
• They’re perennials. Daffodils come back year after year with little effort. After your initial planting, you won’t have to do much other than perhaps add some compost and divide up excess bulbs. 
• Fall planting. Planting time for daffodils comes when the rest of the garden is winding down for the year. Fall is a relaxing time to plant since the weather is usually beautiful and your daffodils aren’t competing with all of the other planting that springtime brings!
• Ideal for cut flower arrangements. With their sunny and plentiful blooms, daffodils make wonderful cut flowers! They’re durable and can last for 5-10 days in a vase.

When Is the Best Time to Plant Daffodil Bulbs?

Daffodils should be planted in the autumn months. Depending on your zone, you’ll want to plant your bulbs in September or October to give them some time to establish roots before the ground freezes. For warmer climates, you may need to wait a bit longer.

It’s important to make sure that you don’t plant too early. If your bulbs have too much time in the warm soil, they may actually start to sprout in the fall instead of the spring. 

Your bag of bulbs should give you specific planting instructions to help you find the right time to plant. Typically, you’ll want your soil to reach about 60°F.

In warmer areas, such as zones 8-11, you may need to pre-chill your bulbs in the refrigerator for up to 15 weeks before planting. (You can keep them in the bag during this process.) If your winters are warm, simply wait until the coldest time of year to plant your bulbs. 

How Late Can You Plant Daffodil Bulbs?

If you’re worried that you’re too late for planting this year, it may still be worth a try! Daffodils are quite hardy, and even in northern regions, you may be able to get away with planting even after the first snowfall. The key is to plant before the ground thoroughly freezes.

In warmer climates, waiting for the coldest December temperatures is usually the best bet for planting these spring-flowering bulbs. 

If you can dig up the soil and it’s not frozen, it’s worth a try! Bulbs typically won’t keep until next year, so if you’ve already bought them, you have nothing to lose.

Where Should You Plant Daffodils?

For planting daffodils, you’ll want to find a spot that gets full sun and has well-drained soil. Daffodils don’t like to be sitting in moisture, so it’s important to choose a fairly dry location where water can run off and not collect. 

Some gardeners suggest planting daffodil bulbs on a hill. While this isn’t necessary, you do want to make sure you find a spot with good drainage and where the soil is loose. Avoid heavy clay soils.

Keep in mind that most daffodils bloom in the early or mid spring. This can make it easier to find a sunny spot, since the trees aren’t usually fully covered in leaves by this point. 

How Far Apart Should You Plant Daffodil Bulbs?

As you think through your space requirements, you should plan to plant your daffodil bulbs approximately 4-6″ apart. This is typically about two bulb widths.

Planting daffodils in clusters creates a very natural look and can help extend your bloom times, too. You can plant the same bulbs together, mix different daffodil varieties, or incorporate other companion plants such as tulips, hyacinths, or daylilies. Just make sure not to crowd your bulbs too much. For the best results, they still need a few inches of space between bulbs. 

How Deep Should You Plant Daffodil Bulbs?

Approximately 6″ deep is a good rule of thumb for planting daffodil bulbs. But the depth of the bulb should also be calculated based on how big your bulb is. For small bulbs, 3-4″ deep will suffice. 

The best way to measure is to plant approximately 3-4 times as deep as the height of the bulb. 

How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs – Step By Step

Alright, let’s get started on planting your fall bulbs! 

Step 1: Prepare your soil

When the soil temperature is about 60°F, (between September and November depending on your zone), prepare your soil. Start by loosening the soil about 8″ deep and removing any weeds or rocks. This is also a good time to add some organic matter or other compost to your soil if needed. 

Avoid areas with poor drainage. A good location for daffodils has well-draining soil and full sun!

Step 2: Dig holes for the bulbs

Using a trowel or soil knife, create holes for your bulbs based on the instructions on your package. If you don’t have the package or aren’t sure how to measure, dig your individual holes about 2-3 times as deep as the height of the bulbs, and plant them approximately 4-6″ apart. 

If you’re planting a lot of daffodils at once, you might consider using a bulb planter. This is a good one and so is this.

You can also do the trench method which is perfect for the lazy gardener! Dig a long trench rather than individual holes. This is great for bulk planting!

Step 3: Plant your bulbs 

Insert your flower bulbs into the holes with the roots down and the pointy end up. (Sometimes it can be hard to figure out which end is the pointy side! If you can’t be sure, just plant them sideways and the flower should be able to find its way to the sun.)

Step 4: Cover gently

Gently cover the planted bulbs with soil, being careful not to pack the soil too tightly. 

Step 5: Water

Water thoroughly after planting, and wait for spring! 

Daffodil FAQs

Are Daffodils Poisonous?

Yes, if ingested, daffodils are poisonous to both humans and animals. On the plus side, they’re incredibly rabbit and deer resistant! 

However, if you have dogs or cats, it’s important to make sure that they stay away from your daffodils.

Can You Plant Daffodils in Pots?

Yes, daffodils can be grown in pots or containers! Here’s how to do it:

1. In the fall, fill your container with loose soil or potting mix. Make sure it has holes for drainage.
2. Plant your daffodil bulbs approximately 4-6” deep and 3-4” apart. If needed, you can experiment with placing them a little closer, but make sure they’re not touching. 
3. Water well.
4. You may need to bring your containers into a cool spot for the winter, such as a garage or a basement. You’ll want to avoid letting your container soil get too warm in the winter sun. 
5. After about 12-15 weeks, move your containers outside and get ready to enjoy your spring display of beautiful blooms! 

How Do You Store Daffodil Bulbs?

Daffodil bulbs do not store well from year to year. However, if you need to store them for a few weeks between buying and planting, find a cool, dry place with good circulation, such as a basement or mudroom. 

Before storing, be sure to brush off any dirt or soil. Store bulbs in a breathable container such as a paper or mesh bag or in newspaper.

Your bulbs should be healthy and firm at planting time, with no signs of mold.

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xoxo,

Kelly