Reliable, early spring bloomers that multiply year after year
| Type | Perennial bulb |
|---|---|
| Zones | 3–9 |
| Sun | Full sun to light shade |
| Height | 12–20 inches |
| Bloom Season | Early to mid spring |
| Vase Life | 5–7 days |
| Start | Plant bulbs in fall |
Daffodils (Narcissus) are some of the earliest and most reliable spring cut flowers. They naturalize and multiply, so a single planting grows into a larger patch each year. The range extends well beyond the classic yellow trumpet—there are double, jonquil, poeticus, and split-cup types in whites, oranges, pinks, and bicolors.
Large-cupped and trumpet types produce the longest stems. 'Ice Follies', 'Carlton', and 'Mount Hood' are classic cutting varieties. Double types like 'Cheerfulness' and 'Bridal Crown' are lush and fragrant. Paperwhites (N. tazetta) can be forced indoors for winter blooms but lack outdoor hardiness in cold zones.
Plant bulbs in fall, 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart. They are unfussy about soil and tolerate partial shade. Leave foliage to die back naturally after blooming—it feeds the bulb for next year. No staking needed. Fertilize in early spring with a bulb-specific fertilizer. See fall planting.
Here is the important conditioning note: fresh-cut daffodils exude a slimy sap that is toxic to other cut flowers. Always condition daffodils in a separate container for 12–24 hours before mixing with other flowers. Do not re-cut the stems once conditioned, or the sap will flow again. Full details in the conditioning guide.
Cut when the bloom is in the "gooseneck" stage—the stem has bent but the flower has not fully opened. They will open in the vase. Harvest in morning and condition immediately.
After conditioning, daffodils can be mixed with other flowers. They look wonderful with tulips, ferns, and branches in a spring arrangement. A simple bunch of daffodils in a mason jar is one of the most cheerful sights of spring.
External: American Daffodil Society