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Daffodils - caring for and planting daffodils

The daffodil is popular not only for its beauty and variety, but also for its ability to bring colour and life to late winter or early spring. It is one of the first flowers to appear in gardens and parks, often signalling the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Daffodils epitomise Easter and the beginning of spring. Because when the first daffodils bloom, it is clear that spring is awakening, nature is finally coming to life and everything is becoming more colourful again. Even if the daffodil doesn't start things off, it is still one of the early bloomers. Yellow and white daffodils are the best-known varieties of this spring flower, but there are many other colours and shapes. In fact, there are up to 50 different varieties in total. 

History of the narcissus

According to the ancient Roman poet Publius Ovid, the name of the narcissus (or Narcissus in Latin) comes from a story in Greek mythology: the young man Narcissus - son of a god and a nymph - was a vain hunter who fell so deeply in love with his own reflection in the lake that he died of his unfulfilled love. However, there was no corpse at the site of his death, instead a flower grew there that is known today as the narcissus. Because of this history of the narcissus, this flower often symbolises new beginnings and self-discovery, but it can also be seen as a sign of vanity. The myth also states that this is the reason why daffodils always look slightly downwards. They have adopted the pose of Narcissus, who admired himself in the water mirror.

The meaning of the daffodil - What does the daffodil symbolise?

After winter, as one of the first messengers of the new season, the daffodil as a spring flower symbolises a new beginning and the rebirth of nature. The daffodil in particular symbolises the daffodil's significance for spring and Easter. In Chinese culture, the daffodil is seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity thanks to its graceful blossom, which often appears at Chinese New Year. The daffodil is also one of the most popular garden flowers in Islamic culture. In Persian and Arabic poetry, the daffodil is often equated with the eye of the beloved.

What is the difference between daffodils and narcissi?

In short: all daffodils are daffodils but not all narcissi are daffodils. 

Only the yellow daffodil with the botanical name Narcissus pseudonarcissus is a daffodil. The daffodil belongs to the trumpet daffodil family and has pure yellow and very large flowers. The name of the daffodil comes from the fact that the flowers bloom in full splendour around Easter. The yellow daffodils are therefore a symbol of Easter and the beginning of spring. The daffodil is just one of thousands of species in the daffodil genus. They can reach a height of between 15 and 40 cm, whereas the daffodil can generally grow between 10 and 60 cm. In Germany, wild daffodils are a protected species.

Which daffodil is not a daffodil?

If the early bloomer has a colour other than yellow, it is a daffodil, but not a daffodil. Another difference between daffodils and daffodils lies in the appearance of the leaves. Daffodils have parallel leaf edges. Other types of daffodil can also have round or grass-like leaves.

Daffodil profile

The daffodil - Narcissus in Latin - is an early-flowering plant and belongs to the Amaryllis family. There are several thousand cultivated varieties. With more than 50 different varieties, the daffodil is a diverse and popular flower worldwide. The yellow daffodil is also known as the daffodil. Its natural distribution area is in south-west Europe and north-west Africa. The appearance of the daffodil is varied: the leaves can be light green to dark green and the flower colour ranges from classic yellow to orange to pink and white. They flower from February to May, with the peak of the flowering period in April. Location: It feels most at home on the balcony or in the garden. The spring flower is an ornamental plant and can grow between 10 and 60 cm high. Daffodils are perennial and hardy.

Botanical name

The botanical name of the daffodil is Narcissus. The yellow narcissus has the botanical name Narcissus pseudonarcissus. The white narcissus is called Narcissus poeticus.

Appearance of the daffodil

The flowers of the daffodil are usually in striking colours such as yellow, white and sometimes orange, pink or even multi-coloured. The best-known types are the yellow daffodils and the white daffodils. A typical daffodil flower consists of a central trumpet or cup-shaped part, known as the corolla, surrounded by six petals that together form a star-like shape. However, there are variations in which the corolla can be very short or particularly long and pronounced, or the flower can be double-filled. Its long, narrow, green leaves grow directly from the bulb on the ground. They are typically flat and can have slightly different shapes and sizes depending on the type of daffodil. The stems are also green and grow slenderly upwards. As a rule, each stem bears a single flower, but there are varieties that can produce several flowers per stem. The individual daffodil varieties also differ in their fragrance, flowering time, flower colour, number of flowers and shape or number of petals.

Growth & height

The daffodil grows from a brown bulb and can grow to different heights. The yellow narcissus or daffodil reaches a height of between 15 and 40 cm, whereas the daffodil can generally grow between 10 and 60 cm. As a cut flower, the daffodil continues to grow in the vase, just like tulips.

Flower colour

The flower colour of daffodils varies in a fascinating spectrum that is traditionally dominated by bright yellow and pure white. These colours are the most common and symbolise the classic beginning of spring, which daffodils embody in many cultures. But beyond that, daffodils offer an amazing variety of colour shades and combinations that can include orange, salmon, pink, and even shades of green. Despite this variety, the bright yellow daffodils remain the best known and most popular.

The flowering time of daffodils depends on the species, variety, location and climatic conditions. Generally speaking, daffodils start flowering in early spring and can last from February to May. April is the peak of these spring flowers. The flowering time of a daffodil can also vary within a garden, depending on microclimates, locations and soil conditions. Sunny locations and well-drained soil, for example, can lead to an earlier start to flowering.

The best time to plant daffodils is at the end of September to the beginning of October so that the bulbs can form their first roots before the first frost. As long as the ground is not yet frozen, the early bloomers can also be planted in spring if necessary.

To plant daffodils in pots for a spring-like bloom, you should ideally plant the bulbs before the first frost, between September and November. Choose a pot with good drainage and use well-drained soil to avoid waterlogging. The bulbs should be planted pointing upwards, about twice as deep as their height, and should not come into contact with each other. After planting, a cool, frost-free place is required for overwintering. From January, as soon as the first shoots appear, the pots with the early bloomers can be placed outside. Light night frost is not a problem. Don't forget to water regularly.

Light

Location: The daffodil grows and thrives best in a bright, preferably sunny, semi-shaded and cool location.

Soil moisture

Even soil moisture is ideal for the early bloomer. Avoid waterlogging.

Toxicity - How poisonous are daffodils?

Eating daffodils can be dangerous for both humans and animals. Symptoms of poisoning include stomach and intestinal complaints, nausea, diarrhoea, cramps, tremors and cardiac arrhythmia. The poison of the narcissus can cause death in dogs: just 15 g of the fresh bulb is enough. Gloves should also be worn when planting if possible.

Winter hardiness

For extra winter protection, it is best to apply a thin layer of rotted compost at the beginning of November to provide protection and improve the soil. This activates the soil life and keeps the organic matter available for the daffodil.

Use of the daffodil

Daffodils are popular spring flowers and are used in a variety of ways. Whether in gardens or parks, potted plants on balconies or indoors as houseplants or cut flowers: in the garden they create lively beds, are suitable for planting under trees and can be spread across meadows. In pots and tubs, daffodils bring spring to balconies and terraces. They can also be used as cut flowers in bouquets or as part of Easter decorations. Many varieties of daffodil can also be planted in lawns and meadows, where they then run wild and also support early active pollinators such as bees.

Daffodil care

If the daffodil is placed in a vase as a cut flower, cut flower food should be added to the water, this will make the stems less slimy. The more water the plant receives, the taller it will grow. In a pot, the bulbs and flowers of the daffodil need a lot of water. The pot ball should therefore never dry out!

The foliage should not be removed after flowering. The leaves continue to produce nutrients through photosynthesis, which are stored in the bulbs and support growth the following year. Allow the leaves to die back naturally and only remove them when they are yellow and wilted, which is usually 6 to 8 weeks after flowering. After the foliage has completely died back, the bulbs no longer need any special care in the ground. They go dormant during the summer months until they sprout again next spring.

It is best to cut off the wilted flowers immediately after they have faded so that no unnecessary energy is wasted on seed formation. Faded daffodils do not have to be thrown away. Daffodils can be given a balanced fertiliser after flowering. This encourages the formation of flower buds for the following year. The bulbs of faded daffodils can also simply be planted in the garden, where they will easily run wild and spread.

As a cut flower, the stems should be cut at an angle of around 3-5 cm and then placed in a clean vase with fresh water.

Daffodils in pots or gardens should not be cut immediately after flowering. Instead, allow the foliage to yellow and die back naturally. Removing the leaves early can weaken flower production the following year. Faded flowers can be cut off immediately after flowering to prevent the plant from storing energy in seed production instead of the bulb. Cut the flower stalk close to the ground, but leave the foliage until it dies back on its own.

If early-flowering plants such as daffodils do not flower but only produce leaves, they are often lacking nutrients. Light-coloured foliage is also an indication that the plant is undernourished. They need fertiliser to build up enough strength for flowering. Plants can only absorb fertiliser from a soil temperature of around eight degrees. Simply water bulbous and tuberous plants with a liquid fertiliser directly onto the leaves in spring. The nutrients are stored in the leaves, bulbs and tubers. The energy tank is topped up and the effects can then be seen the following year: the flowers bloom profusely again. Both organic and mineral liquid fertilisers are suitable. Important components are phosphorus, iron and manganese.

If you want to propagate daffodils, you can simply divide the bulbs. To do this, carefully dig up the bulbs, separate them and replant them immediately at an appropriate distance. If daffodils become lazy to flower after a few years, remove the bulbs from the soil after they have yellowed, carefully separate the daughter bulbs that have grown on the mother bulb and replant them. Tip: Choose a location for the new plants that is well-drained and receives sufficient sunlight and fertilise the plant.

The most common diseases include narcissus basal rot, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which leads to rotting of the bulb base, and white rot, which is characterised by white, cotton-like fungal growths. Viral diseases can lead to mosaic patterns on the leaves and deformed growth forms. A typical pest is the daffodil fly. It lays its eggs on the plant so that the larvae migrate into the soil and eat their way into the inside of the bulb, causing the bulb to rot. Aphids and snails can also cause damage by feeding on the leaves and flowers.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, daffodils grow underground from brown bulbs, which are a form of survival for the cold season. The bulbs store nutrients that the plant needs to grow and flower in spring.

Daffodils are perennial plants that can flower again every spring after planting. With proper care and under ideal conditions, they can grow and bloom successfully in the same garden area for many years. If daffodils grow in the same location for several years and begin to flower less, it may be necessary to divide them. This is usually done in late summer or early autumn after the foliage has died back.

Planting is generally possible until spring as long as the ground is frost-free. However, daffodil bulbs planted early will survive the frost better as they have had enough time to root.

Daffodils excrete a slimy substance when their stems are cut or broken. This daffodil mucilage is toxic to other cut flowers and can accelerate their wilting. Daffodils should therefore be placed alone in a vase of fresh water for a few hours after cutting so that most of the mucilage can be excreted before they are placed in the vase with other flowers. Once the daffodils have been pre-treated, they can be added to a bouquet, but the water should be changed regularly to minimise the build-up of mucilage.

Keep the soil of the daffodils evenly moist. If the soil is too dry, the bulbs may flower poorly or not at all the following year. Also, if daffodils are planted too close together, they can compete with each other for nutrients, water and light, resulting in reduced flowering. If bulbs are planted too deep, it can be more difficult for the shoots to reach the surface, which can affect flower formation.