When should I cut back the leaves?

Wait until the foliage has turned yellow and withered, usually six weeks after flowering.

Why are my daffodils not blooming?

They may be overcrowded, or they did not receive enough sunlight during the previous growing season.

Plant guide

Daffodil.

Narcissus

Pronounced nar-SIS-us

Also known as Daffodil, Daffodil, Narcissus, Daffodils, Double Daffodil, Garden Daffodil, Narcisa, Narcissus

Narcissus are cheerful, bulbous perennials that signal the arrival of spring. They produce iconic trumpet shaped flowers in shades of yellow, white, and orange. These bulbs are hardy and often naturalize well in garden beds.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 20 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Plant bulbs in the fall with the pointed end facing up. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent the bulbs from rotting during winter. Watch for yellowing foliage after blooming, which indicates the plant is storing energy for next year.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the active growing season but reduce water once the foliage begins to die back.
Feeding: Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer once in early spring as the first shoots emerge.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks after blooming, but leave the leaves until they turn yellow to allow energy storage.
Repotting: Divide and repot bulbs every few years if they become overcrowded and flowering performance declines.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years if left undisturbed.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Bulbs are pushing out of the soil
Flowering performance has significantly declined

Safety

People: The bulbs and leaves contain lycorine, which is poisonous to humans and pets.
Pets: Narcissus bulbs are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, potentially causing vomiting or diarrhea.
Children: Keep bulbs away from children as they are easily mistaken for onions and are highly toxic.
Contact allergens: Handling the bulbs or sap can cause skin irritation known as narcissus itch.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not a major cause of hay fever.
Edibility: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe stomach upset.

How to identify it

Trumpet shaped central corona
Six petal like tepals
Linear or strap shaped leaves
Grows from a fleshy bulb

Height: 0.15 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.2m
Leaves: green, blue-green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, white, orange, pink, 3 to 10cm

Problems to watch for

Basal rot — Fungal infection that causes the bulb to decay from the base upward.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: autumn
Overwintering: Leave bulbs in the ground over winter. They require a period of cold temperatures to initiate spring growth.
In containers: They grow well in pots, but ensure the container has excellent drainage to prevent bulb rot.

Division

Dig up the clump after the foliage has died back.
Gently separate the offsets from the main bulb.
Replant the bulbs at three times their depth.

Plant them near perennials that grow quickly in late spring to mask the dying foliage.

Grows well with

Grape Hyacinth — They bloom at the same time and create a beautiful color contrast.
Daylily — Daylily foliage grows to hide the fading daffodil leaves.

Similar species

Snowdrop — They are early spring bulbs that share similar cultural needs.
Tulip — They are another iconic spring bulb often planted in the same garden beds.

Science

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Genus: Narcissus
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Conservation: Most species are not threatened, but wild collection of rare varieties is discouraged.

They thrive in open woodlands and meadows, utilizing early spring light before tree canopies fill in.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: spring borders, naturalizing in lawns, container displays, cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Light: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 5/9
Soil reaction: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I cut back the leaves?: Wait until the foliage has turned yellow and withered, usually six weeks after flowering.
Why are my daffodils not blooming?: They may be overcrowded, or they did not receive enough sunlight during the previous growing season.

Where the name comes from

The name Narcissus comes from the Greek word for numbness, referring to the plant's narcotic properties. The common name daffodil is likely a corruption of asphodel.

Good to know

They are a classic symbol of rebirth and new beginnings.
The name is derived from Greek mythology, where Narcissus was turned into the flower.
They are one of the few bulbs that deer and rabbits typically avoid.
Some varieties can live for decades in the same spot.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.