Daffodils When to sow and plant When to plant daffodil bulbs
Daffodils go in earlier than tulips. The RHS wants them in the ground in September, and it explains why late or shallow planting leads to leaves but no flowers.
In short
The RHS plants daffodil bulbs in early autumn, ideally September, and its autumn bulb guide says by the end of September. It warns that performance can rapidly decline if bulbs go in later than mid-November. Plant at three times the bulb's height, in sun and well-drained soil.
Daffodils: what to do and when
Under cover and outdoors, for UK conditions. The weather differs from year to year and from north to south, so check your local conditions too.
When to plant daffodils: three RHS pages
The RHS daffodil growing guide says to plant bulbs in early autumn, ideally September. Its quick facts simply say: plant in September.
The RHS guide to choosing and planting bulbs in autumn agrees. It says to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus and hyacinths by the end of September. It explains that most spring-flowering bulbs need a period of cold weather to develop properly.
What if you missed September? The RHS advice on daffodil blindness gives a limit. It says bulb performance can rapidly decline if bulbs are planted later than mid-November.
So if you missed September, plant before mid-November. Daffodils go in earlier than tulips: the same RHS autumn bulb guide names November as the month for tulips. Our page on when to plant tulip bulbs has the details.
How deep to plant daffodils
The RHS daffodil guide says to set bulbs at a depth equivalent to three times the bulb's height.
The RHS blindness advice gives a range: plant bulbs at two to three times their depth. It also explains why depth matters. Shallow planting encourages bulbs to divide, producing lots of bulbs that are too small to flower.
Plant in bold groups rather than individually, the daffodil guide says, for the greatest impact.
Where to plant
Daffodils prefer a sunny spot in fertile, well-drained soil, the RHS says. Avoid waterlogged soil and deep shade.
They can also be planted in long grass for a naturalistic look. The RHS autumn bulb guide says daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and smaller species tulips are particularly well suited to planting in grass.
The blindness advice adds that in poorer, light soils, performance may rapidly decline without some extra soil improvement. As trees and shrubs grow, a site may also become drier and shadier.
Daffodils in pots
Daffodils grow well in containers, the RHS says, on their own or mixed with other spring-flowering plants.
For a temporary spring display, you can plant less deeply and pack the bulbs closely together. Closely spaced bulbs like these are best planted in the ground after flowering is over.
Bulbs already growing in pots can go in the ground in spring, before they come into flower, the RHS daffodil guide says.
Feeding. To encourage flowering, the RHS gives bulbs in containers a high-potassium liquid feed, such as tomato food. Start once the shoots appear and stop once the foliage begins to die down.
After flowering: flowers, leaves and feeding
Faded flowers. The RHS says it is generally best to remove the faded blooms after flowering. In naturalised drifts, you can leave them to form seed pods. The blindness advice explains the trade-off: letting seed capsules form diverts energy from rebuilding the bulb.
Leaves. Wait until the foliage turns yellow before you cut it down, usually about six weeks after flowering. The blindness advice says removing leaves soon after flowering, by mowing or tidying up, can lead to blindness. Knotting the leaves is not recommended either, as it reduces their ability to function.
Water. In a dry place or a drought, daffodils may die down early, the blindness advice says. Water thoroughly to keep the ground moist until the foliage starts to die down naturally.
Feed. The blindness advice applies a granular seaweed fertiliser as the growing points emerge in spring, at the rate on the packet.
Why daffodils stop flowering, and dividing clumps
Daffodils may fail to flower, or produce smaller, paler flowers than normal, the RHS says. Its blindness advice lists the causes: shallow planting, planting later than mid-November, cutting the leaves too soon, dry conditions, seed forming, poor light soils and overcrowding.
Overcrowded clumps. After a few years, clumps can become congested and flower less. The RHS daffodil guide digs up the clump, divides it into smaller groups and replants them in several new places. The blindness advice says to lift them when the foliage dies back in summer and replant with a 5–7.5 cm gap between bulbs.
Pests and diseases
The RHS daffodil guide names narcissus bulb fly as a pest, and says slugs and snails may eat the leaves and flowers. See our slugs guide for what UK sources say about them.
It also lists narcissus basal rot and other rots, especially in damp conditions.
Planting daffodils: the RHS advice at a glance
| What to do | RHS page | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Early autumn, ideally September | Daffodil growing guide |
| Deadline | By the end of September for spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils | Choosing and planting bulbs in autumn |
| Late planting | Performance can rapidly decline if planted later than mid-November | Daffodil blindness |
| Depth | Three times the bulb's height (growing guide). Two to three times (blindness advice) | Both |
| Site | Sun, fertile, well-drained soil. Not waterlogged soil or deep shade | Daffodil growing guide |
| Groups | Bold groups rather than single bulbs | Daffodil growing guide |
| Leaves | Cut only when yellow, about six weeks after flowering. Do not knot them | Growing guide, blindness advice |
| Congested clumps | Lift when the foliage dies back in summer, replant 5–7.5 cm apart | Daffodil blindness |
How to do it
- Plant in early autumn, ideally September, the RHS says. Do not leave it later than mid-November.
- Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogged soil and deep shade.
- Set each bulb at a depth of three times its height, the RHS daffodil guide says. Shallow planting makes bulbs divide into lots of bulbs that are too small to flower.
- Plant in bold groups rather than one by one.
- In pots for a temporary spring display, you can plant less deeply and pack the bulbs closely, then move them into the ground after flowering.
- After flowering, remove the faded flowers, unless they are in a naturalised drift.
- Leave the leaves until they turn yellow, usually about six weeks after flowering, then cut them down.
Common questions
When is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK?
Early autumn, ideally September, the RHS says. Its autumn bulb guide says to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils by the end of September.
Is it too late to plant daffodils in November?
Early November is still possible. The RHS daffodil blindness advice says bulb performance can rapidly decline if bulbs are planted later than mid-November.
How deep should I plant daffodil bulbs?
At three times the bulb's height, the RHS daffodil guide says. Its blindness advice gives two to three times. Shallow planting makes bulbs split into small bulbs that do not flower.
Should I plant daffodils before tulips?
Yes. The RHS autumn bulb guide says to plant daffodils by the end of September and tulips in November.
When can I cut down daffodil leaves?
When they turn yellow, usually about six weeks after flowering, the RHS says. Cutting or mowing them soon after flowering can lead to blindness, and knotting them is not recommended.
Why are my daffodils not flowering?
The RHS lists shallow planting, planting later than mid-November, cutting the leaves too soon, drought, seed forming, poor light soil and overcrowded clumps. Lift and divide congested clumps when the foliage dies back in summer.
Sources
We wrote this page using the sources below.
- How to grow daffodils, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
- Choosing and planting bulbs in autumn, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
- Daffodil blindness, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)