Do you know the magic moment of seeing the first flowers pop up in your yard after a long, cold winter? It’s always the daffodils for me. They are vivid, both, and inevitable.
If you also want to grow some beautiful daffodils just like me, I’m here to help. I’ll show you how to grow daffodils easily. Get started right away!
4 Types of Daffodils To Grow
As beginners, you can try to grow one of 4 types of Daffodils below.
| Category | Long Cup | Small Cup | Double | Triandus |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–8 | 3–8 | 3–8 | 3–8 |
| Size (H x W) | 12” x 3” | 12” x 3” | 12” x 3” | 12” x 3” |
| Water | Average | Average | Average | Average |
| Sun | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Bloom Time | Early Spring | Mid Spring | Mid Spring | Mid Spring |
| Color | Peach to red | Bio colors | White to pink and red | White or yellow (often) |
Long Cup Daffodil
These are the classic daffodils you can easily find in garden shops. They have big blooms, and sweet fragrances, and attract a lot of pollinators.
Small Cup Daffodils
They are super charming mid-season bloomers and give medium-sized flowers. They come in lovely bicolor combos like yellow-orange or white-peach.
Double Daffodils
You will love their fluffy, peony-like petals with romantic colors. Plus, they smell amazing and are ideal to plant under trees or shrubs.
Triandus Daffodils
They are also known as angel tears. The dainty blooms hang just like tiny bells. They love damp spots or rock gardens.
How to Grow Daffodils with Bulbs
Growing daffodils is easier than you think. Prepare some bulbs and follow exactly my step-by-step guide below:
Step 1 – Plant The Bulbs
Fall is the greatest time of year to plant your daffodil bulbs, just right before the first frost. Make sure the soil temperatures cool down to around 40°F to 50°F.
Planting Timeline by Hardiness Zone:
- Zones 3–5: September
- Zones 6–7: October
- Zones 8–9: December
| Bonus Tip:Choose heirloom or hybrid daffodil bulbs. They are most likely to be successful in growing. |
Step 2 – Prepare The Soil
Select a sunny location with well-drained soil that is slightly acidic (pH 6.0–7.0). Daffodils prefer a location shielded from strong winds and heavy rains.
Pro tip: To give those bulbs a head start, mix around 3 inches of flower garden soil into the top 6 inches of your garden bed.
Step 3 – Plant The Daffodil Bulbs
Create holes that are about 8 inches deep. Plant the bulbs with the pointy side facing up.
Grow 10 bulbs in a group and space them 4 inches apart.
Apply a 10-10-10 flower fertilizer to the hole (follow the instructions on the package)
Water each area for 15 seconds after covering it with soil.
For the first month, water them once a week to boost root growth
Step 4 – Year-round Daffodil Care
Daffodils don’t need so much care after planting. You just have to do some easy gardening when the seasons come to keep them healthy and blooming.
| Season | What to Do |
| Winter | Add a layer of mulch, then leave them there until spring. |
| Spring | Apply flower fertilizer once you notice leaves appear. Water weekly until flowers bloom. Cut off spent flowers, but leave leaves for 6 weeks |
| Summer | Cut stems & leaves close to the ground when they turn yellow. No watering, no fertilizer |
How to Grow Daffodils in Pots
Daffodils grown in pots are very similar to those planted in the ground. Here are some significant distinctions to remember:
- Container Location: Transfer pots to a cool, dry location (such as a garage or shed) before the first frost. This keeps bulbs safe throughout the winter.
- Winter Growth Tip: Move it to a bright spot if you notice green sprouts during the winter. Water your flowers once a week.
| Bonus Tip:Pick a 5-gallon pot. It’s big enough for your daffodils to grow full, especially if you want to grow them outdoors. |
FAQs
How To Protect Daffodils From Pests?
Chipmunks, deer, and squirrels are the main daffodil troublemakers. Just cover the soil with bird netting to prevent animals from digging them up.
For deer, try applying a good deer-repellent spray for deer. If this can’t stop them, grow your daffodils in pots or containers where deer can’t reach them.
What Flowers Can Daffodils Combine With?
Daffodils look stunning when planted alongside tulips, hyacinths, pansies, forget-me-nots, alliums, and primroses. Personally, I love to grow daffodils with tulips because they bloom at nearly the same time and add beauty to my yard.
How To Protect Daffodils From Diseases?
Gray mold, snails, slugs, nematodes, aphids, and bulb rot are some common diseases that can appear on daffodils.
You can use insecticide spray and fungicide spray when your flowers grow green in the early spring.
Conclusion
You’ve learned how to grow daffodils already. This type of flower is bright and needs low maintenance. Daffodils are a beautiful reminder that spring is coming. They are great to display indoors. So give them a try!
