80 Types of Daffodil Flower To Plant: Pics, ID Charts, Narcissus Growing Tips

The University of New Hampshire reports that the Daffodil bulb needs up to four months of a chilled ground or area that is 35-50 degrees in order for it to bloom the following spring, which makes it a favorite in most parts of the country.²

Besides being a spring flowering plant that can withstand cold weather, it is in the Amaryllidaceae or Amaryllis family.

It’s named after the Greek mythical character Narcissus who loved his own reflection so much he drowned and turned into the Daffodil Flower.

Daffodil Bulbs

Daffodil bulbs can be as small as 12 cm to 16 cm. Often Daffodil bulbs are slightly bigger than a tulip bulb.

Each Daffodil bulb should grow up to three flowers per bulb.

As long as the bulb has no black spots and is healthy, all the nutrients needed are in that one bulb.

Daffodil Leaves

The tall and long Daffodil leaves are waxy green. Depending on the cultivation, the leaves can be a blueish green.

The linear tall leaves can be 3 inches or a half a foot at 6 inches. The more the leaves, the better the foliage for each spring.

Some green thumb enthusiasts swear by braiding the long Daffodil leaves; others say otherwise. According to Pennsylvania State, braiding or folding your Daffodil leaves will restrict the sunlight that the plant needs to thrive.³

What makes the Daffodil leaves unique besides their erect stance is that they tend to canopy the flowers.

Daffodil Seeds

You hear about the Daffodil bulb often, but they do have seeds. The Daffodil seeds are small and black.

Sometimes the seeds may be white, depending on the variation. After the flowers have finished showing their bright yellow, orange, or pink flowers for the spring season, the pods behind the head are ready for picking.

The brown or wilted flower is ready and should have a dark green pod. If you open the green pod and see small clear or soft seeds, they are not ready to be prepared for planting.

When Do Daffodils Bloom and Are Daffodils Perennials?

With the many cultivators to choose from in the Narcissus genus, the bloom season can vary. When do Daffodils bloom is more often in the Spring.

It is often recommended to ensure full sun so the Daffodil Flower can bloom in its full beauty.

However, if the Narcissus plant receives partial shade, the plant runs the risk of not blooming flowers, also known as coming up blind.

(Image: Denise Davis¹²)

Making sure to prepare for the blooming season is ideal. The leaves grow abundantly and will need to be cared for properly to ensure ongoing flowering.

The Daffodil Flower is a perennial plant.

How To Identify Daffodil Flower

Many are surprised to know that Daffodil Flowers don’t just come in yellow. The Daffodil Flower has many types of flowers according to their division.

These 13 divisions help identify the Narcissus genus.

Daffodil Flowers: Pics and ID Charts

How to identify Daffodil Flower starts with the design of the corona. The 13 divisions listed below will help you identify your next Daffodil Flower garden.

Daffodil Colors

There are several types of white flowers in the Narcissus plant family. The Daffodil colors are famous for being golden yellow, but you won’t find any legitimate Daffodil purple flowers or red flowers.

However, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, you will find the following colors and color combinations in the Daffodil Flower clan:⁴

• Yellow
• Yellow and white
• Yellow and orange
• White
• Pink and white

With thousands of variations and cultivators, it’s almost guaranteed there will be a surprise Daffodil color or color combination in the near future.

Yellow Daffodil Flower vs Butterfly Daffodil Flowers

Golden yellow, or a lighter shade of yellow, the primary color for Daffodil Flowers, is the favorite spring bloom. With dashing colors of pink, orange, and white, yellow still dominates.

If you enjoy a variety of colors for your backyard garden, there is a butterfly Daffodil Flower that can be added to your Daffodil Flower planting design.

The yellow Daffodil Flower vs. butterfly Daffodil Flowers boils down to variety.

You can have a long trumpet or short trumpet yellow Daffodil Flower. But with the butterfly Daffodil Flower, you can have a split trumpet with white and pink or layered yellow petals.

Having a variety of yellow Daffodil Flowers along with Daffodils that have more than one color on each stem takes away some extra labor that requires planting additional Daffodil cultivators.

Narcissus Flower vs Jonquil Flower

A narcissus flower seems to be synonymous with a Jonquil flower. Yes, calling a Daffodil a narcissus flower mentions the genus or species.

Undoubtedly, this can be interchangeable with all Daffodil varieties.

(Image: gsimpson1964¹¹)

But what sets the Jonquil flower apart from the Narcissus flower is the fragrance which is identified in division seven. The Jonquil flower is a Narcissus flower because it’s in the narcissus genus.

Narcissus vs Daffodil

Most Daffodil Flowers are yellow. But not all Daffodil Flowers have long trumpets.

The Narcissus vs Daffodil is the difference in size of trumpet or corona. The name “Daffodil” is the non-scientific name for this spring flower.

The Narcissus is the genus and is considered a botanical or scientific term. The Jonquil flower, Daffodil Flower, and narcissus flower are in the same Amaryllidaceae family.

Growing Zones for Daffodil Flower (Where To Grow Daffodil Bulbs)

With the many Narcissus plants you have to choose from, you may think most can be planted anywhere.

This may be true for several cultures in the Amryllidoideae family. However, if you plan to grow your Daffodil Flowers in your backyard oasis, your local region’s climate matters.

Hence, determining growing zones for Daffodil Flower, where to grow them exactly in the U.S. specifically, is essential.

Daffodil Flower Growing Zone

The Daffodil Flower growing zone is primarily in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. These planting zones consist of some of the following states:

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Main
• New England
• New York
• Oregon
• Texas
• Washington

When you decide on the exact Daffodil varieties you are interested in planting, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones first. Then check with your local nursery to ensure your climate and soil will suit the Daffodil cultivator of your choice.

Best Growing Conditions for Daffodil Flower: Can You Plant Daffodils in the Spring?

A well-drained and nutrient-filled soil is a priority for any Daffodil variety you plan to invite inside your home or out.

But most Narcissus plants require full sun with adequate water for the best growing conditions for the Daffodil Flower of your choice.

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However, the best growing conditions for Daffodil Flower begin in their cool dormant months and resume after their spring bloom. Although often deemed as low maintenance, quality care in each stage of growth is required.

80 Types of Daffodil Flower To Plant ID Charts

There are thousands of Narcissus flower varieties.

But the below Daffodil Flowers will give you a better understanding of your options according to the division, USDA Growing Zone, color, and height:

Growing a Daffodil Flower From a Bulb

Growing a Daffodil Flower from a bulb has often been described as easy.

(Image: Ralphs_Fotos¹¹)

Whether you are a novice or pro gardener, you know there are many factors to grow a healthy Daffodil garden.

Narcissus Growing Tips

Get excited about planting your new Daffodil bulbs, but consider the following:

• Choose a location where your Daffodil bulb can grow in full sunlight.
• Soil needs to be well-drained to prevent your Daffodil bulb from rotting.
• Be sure to choose bulbs that are healthy, hardy, with no black spots.

The Daffodil Flower may enjoy cooler temperatures, but frost is not preferred. Before planting, have a winterization plan if you live in cold climates that often experience winter.

How To Plant Daffodil Bulbs

Before you start tilling the soil, test your soil pH. How to plant Daffodil bulbs begins with the quality of the soil.

A well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. A pH of 6.0-7.0 is considered neutral.

According to the University of Illinois, use a test kit to ensure your soil has the pH necessary to ensure a thriving root system, and consider putting bone meal into the soil.⁵

A bone meal will help your soil that’s not quite as neutral or healthy as you need. Bone meal provides nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus that come from the minced animal bones.

After you’ve prepared your soil and picked the best location for your future Daffodils, below is how to plant Daffodil bulbs:

• Choose up to a dozen firm Daffodil bulbs
• Place each bulb with its nose facing up
• Larger Daffodil bulbs should be planted 8 inches deep
• Smaller Daffodil bulbs should be planted 3-4 inches deep

When To Plant Daffodil Flower for the Best Yield (When To Plant Daffodil Bulbs)

The moisture in the cold air is one of the key factors in a thriving Daffodil Flower bulb. Planting your new and healthy Daffodil bulbs is heavily dependent on when you expect freezing temperatures.

Knowing when to plant Daffodil Flower for the best yield will depend on your location, typically in the late fall prior to the first winter freeze or snow. The cold air is needed, but like many plants, the Daffodil bulbs need ample time to develop the root system before those cold winter nights.

(Image: Ralphs_Fotos¹¹)

If you’re still unsure if planting your Daffodil bulbs, monitor the temperature in your area. If you notice a consistent temperature of under 50 degrees, this might be the time to plant.

With consistent cold weather, not freezing weather, you should expect healthy flowering yellow Daffodils by next spring. But checking in with your local college extension or trusted nursery can give you more reassurance if your timing to plant is ideal.

How To Grow Your Own Daffodil Garden Indoors

If you are planning to have a spring theme for your home decor, Daffodil Flowers are the best choice.

How to grow your own Daffodil garden indoors may be a question, but the following benefits are undeniable:

• Witnessing possible early blooms of the Daffodil Flowers
• Protecting Daffodil bulbs from winter freeze or drying before spring
• Force bulbs to enjoy the beauty of the Daffodils in the fall or winter

If you’re starting your Daffodil garden indoors, they may bloom early. Your Daffodil bulbs are dependent on their environment.

If it’s warmer than usual in the location where you have placed them, shoots may spout.

But the cultivator or variety matters when it comes to early blooms. The small cupped Barrett Browning or the division one yellow Daffodil, “Little Gem,” is known to bloom early.

The Daffodil bulbs are protected from extreme outside elements. However, to ensure you have a cool place for the Daffodil bulbs for up to 16 weeks, an empty refrigerator or cool storage area is needed.

Forcing a bulb to grow is often reported as easily done, but it needs to be planned. If you want Daffodils on your Thanksgiving table or to simply enjoy during the cold winter months.

Keep in mind that forcing a bulb to grow can be a 20-week process, as determined by the Daffodil Flower variety.

If you don’t do well with plants that require extra steps, such as forcing Daffodil bulbs, you don’t have to force the bulb, and there are plenty of low-maintenance plants to consider.

However, flowers have been proven scientifically that beautiful flowers help add to happiness, and those more vulnerable to winter blues get to lift their mood with the help of plants and flowers.

According to Iowa State University, the container, how the Daffodil bulb is potted, and where it’s stored is important for a thriving Daffodil indoor garden.⁶ How to grow your own Daffodil garden indoors starts with the following:

• Choose 3-5 large Daffodil bulbs for each container
• Containers need to have the ability to perform adequate drainage
• Place newly planted Daffodil Flowering bulbs in a cold storage area
• Proper potting of the Daffodil bulbs

How to grow your own Daffodil garden indoors is fairly easy if you’re willing to take the steps to ensure the bulbs can establish a root system that can eventually grow outside or year after year indoors.

Potting Daffodil Bulbs Indoors

The variety and size of the Daffodil bulb you choose can determine how many bulbs you can place per container.

Most 6-inch pots or containers have enough space to set up a thriving root system for up to five bulbs.

(Image: Kristina Paukshtite¹¹)

Covering your Daffodil bulbs completely is not recommended. The usual depth of the soil is 6 inches or slightly below the rim of the container.

The tip of the bulb should be seen or pointed up from the soil.

Chilling Daffodil Bulbs Indoors

After placing your Daffodil bulbs in a container made of clay, ceramic, plastic or whichever option allows the soil to be well-drained, chilling the bulbs is next.

An empty refrigerator, a cold attic, or any dark place that will not hit temperatures of over 50 degrees during the chill process.

It is possible to buy pre-chilled bulbs if you’re not ready to plant just yet. However, you must keep the bulbs cold in a refrigerator if you prefer pre-chilled bulbs.

Some Daffodil Flower varieties may require only 12-13 weeks to grow their root system properly. However, other varieties may need 16 weeks.

To prevent light from causing potential early bloom for Daffodil Flower varieties that need longer periods of cold treatment, some green thumb enthusiasts have found success in placing a brown paper bag over the containers to keep the bulbs cold and in the dark.

Where Should You Place the Daffodil Bulbs After Chilling?

The new yellow shoots you may notice sticking out from the bulb is an exciting sight. But it is not ready for full sun or partial sun just yet.

The shoots must turn green before placing the young plant near a window or very lit room.

Michigan State University recommends keeping the newly yellow shoots in a room with very light that is no more than 60 degrees in temperature for up to two weeks.⁷

But when you see the bulb has developed several green shoots, it may be time to go to a place in your home with full sun to bring more sunshine to a room.

You can enjoy the beauty of your chosen Daffodil Flowers throughout the fall and winter season. But placing your Daffodil Flower plant back in a cool place each night will also extend the indoor season of your young Daffodil plant.

Daffodil Seedlings vs Growing Daffodil Flowers From Seed

Daffodil seedings vs growing Daffodil Flowers from seed is all about how patient you are to see your chosen Daffodil variety. Daffodil seedlings are ultimately re-planting the Daffodil bulb.

If you receive a Daffodil plant as a gift or you buy a Daffodil plant from your local store garden, it’s possible to plant it in your backyard garden. Buying a Daffodil plant that has not bloomed but is sporting healthy green buds without flowers present.

Planting Daffodil Seedlings and Store-Bought Daffodil Plants

Daffodil seedlings are carefully re-planting the bulb in your indoor or outdoor Daffodil garden. It’s recommended to check with your local college extension for any tips to ensure your Daffodil bulb is re-planted properly.

It’s usually the rule of thumb to only re-plant Daffodils in the spring after it’s flowered. This allows the Daffodil bulb to preserve its energy for the next flowering season in spring.

(Image: Tingeling¹¹)

So preserving the Daffodil bulb’s energy to bloom for the next season is the objective. Transplanting Daffodil seedlings from indoors to outdoors can be easy if you do the following:

• Decide if you’re going to move the Daffodil bulb into a larger outdoor container
• Observe your Daffodil bulb for disease or any damage
• Plant your bulb 6-8 inches deep in the soil or potting mix inside a container
• Cover the Daffodil bulb with soil
• Mulch with bark, wood, or pine needles

Some pro gardeners debate whether to wait until fall or anytime during the year to transplant your indoor Daffodil plant outdoors.

But your location and typical weather conditions must be part of your decision to ensure your Daffodil blooms next season. Iowa State University recommends transplanting your Daffodil bulbs after their foliage turns brown in summer or October.⁸

However, planting store-bought Daffodil seedlings requires the following process:

• Water the store-bought Daffodil plant
• Placed in a cold location overnight
• Re-pot the plant Daffodil bulbs into a potting mix indoors in a well-drained pot
• Wait until flowers are withered before planting outdoors
• Plant the Daffodil bulbs into the soil in your backyard 6-8 inches deep

Watering your store-bought Daffodil plant and placing it into cold storage for 24 hours allows the plant to get familiar with its’ new climate and environment.

If you bought a Daffodil plant with flowers present, wait until the flowers wither. When you notice the flower buds or pods turning light brown, it’s time to relocate the bulbs outdoors or into a deep container inside.

Growing Daffodil Flower by Seed vs Bulb: How Much Sunlight Does Daffodil Flower Need Each Day?

With all the talk about Daffodil bulbs, you may be surprised that you can grow your Daffodil garden with Daffodil seeds. They require more work than planting a Daffodil bulb, but it’s possible.

It’s important to know that each Daffodil variety may mature at different times. The soil and care of the seed also determine the duration of time to be considered a mature Daffodil plant.

On average, a Daffodil Flower grown from seed matures between five to six years. However, the Pacific Bulb Society reports Daffodil seeds can take two years before you witness the beauty of the Daffodil Flowering.⁹

If you’re intrigued and want to witness a narcissus flower growing stages from seed, start by doing the following:

• Plant 2-3 seeds in each container ½ inch deep
• Container should be a well-drained planting pot
• Potting mix should include compost
• Place in a room that provides direct sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours
• Water often or spray water on your potted Daffodil plant

The Daffodil seed will need plenty of water and sun to grow its bulb. Planting the Daffodil seed in the fall.

Some Pro gardeners use grow lights to control the amount of light the Daffodil seed receives.

By the spring, you may notice a few sprouts appearing. Your Daffodil seed is on its way to being a bulb.

The duration of time that it takes for a bulb and first flowering of your Daffodil is dependent on the quality of care, variety, and location.

How Far Apart To Plant Daffodil Flower

If you plan to align your driveway or walkway with Daffodil Flowers, their bulbs need plenty of room.

Unless you plan to dig the bulb up every 3-4 years to ensure it has space to grow, this must be planned ahead.

(Image: Denise Davis¹²)

However, how far apart to plant Daffodil Flower is a minimum of six inches apart. The University of Missouri recommends planting your Daffodil Flowers up to 12 inches apart.¹⁰

Planting Tips for Daffodil Flower

The planting tips for Daffodil Flowers are consistent whether you plant a bulb or seed. You need to consider the following planting tips for Daffodil Flower:

• Plan the location for your Daffodil Flowers with full sunlight
• Check your ground soil with a soil test kit
• Soil must have a pH of 6.0-7.0
• Plant bulbs that are healthy with no damage
• Plant in the fall before the season frost
• If planting by seed, have a long-term care plan
• Plant Daffodil bulbs and seeds up to 12 inches apart
• Re-pot and transplant a growing Daffodil Flower every three years

It’s always a good idea to consider the Daffodil Flower variety to ensure you understand what exactly it needs. Checking with your local college extension can assist you with the best Daffodil varieties, planting tips, and care plan for your growing zone.

How Long It Takes To Grow Daffodil Flower

How long it takes to grow Daffodil Flower depends on various factors including the type of Daffodil, local climate, and soil conditions.

A chilly dormancy requires up to 16 weeks for a Daffodil Flower bulb to grow a strong root system and bloom. If the Daffodil bulb successfully sprouts, the following spring bloom is expected.

The dormancy ends when temperatures warm up. You will begin to see your flowers bloom in Spring at the end of dormancy, which depends on your variety and time of planting.

What To Do With Daffodils After Flowering?

After enjoying their vibrant blooms, many gardeners wonder what to do with Daffodils after flowering.

When it appears the Daffodil Flowers have withered, it’s time to remove them. Do not remove the leaves or the long foliage.

The narcissus plant is now preparing and going through its natural photosynthesis procedure.

(Image: minka2507¹¹)

The Daffodil Flower and stem have done their part; now, the remaining plant needs as much energy as possible to prepare for the next Spring season bloom. The Daffodil Flower and stem must be removed to ensure enough food or energy flows.

The leaves or foliage will begin to yellow in approximately six weeks after the Daffodil Flowers. Cutting off the leaves is now an option.

Some gardener enthusiasts who live in regions that do not have frosty winters do not cut back the leaves. They plant companion plants that can blend into the garden and maintain the beauty of the Daffodil plant while it’s dormant.

Managing Disease and Pests for Daffodils

Quality care of your Daffodil garden will allow managing disease and pests for Daffodils in your home or outside much easier.

Sometimes a diseased bulb is unavoidable if bought from a vendor or given by a friend. So double checking each bulb before planting will allow you to avoid any disease or pests to invade your garden.

Making sure you don’t overwater your Daffodil plants and keeping your soil enriched can help you avoid any viral diseases.

Common Pests of the Daffodil Flower

The common pests of the Daffodil Flower are as follows:

• Bulb root rot
• Bulb bites
• Narcissus white streak
• Yellow stripes

Bulb root rot is also called Basal Rot sometimes comes later after planting. You may notice your Daffodil is not flowering or if it’s been recently planted, it’s showing signs of decay.

Bulb bites that infected your Daffodil Flower may show signs of not producing its usual bloom. The growth of blooms is non-existent or less than usual.

Aphids cause the Narcissus white streak in Daffodil plants. This fungus causes discoloration of the Daffodil Flowers.

The infected Daffodil plant leaves have streaks that may go from purple to white.

Yellow stripes are considered the most frequent virus for Daffodil plants. Aphids are also the culprit in causing the virus of yellow stripes.

The yellow streaks give away the virus if a Daffodil plant is infected.

How To Stop Daffodil Flower Disease

How to stop Daffodil Flower disease may be a little easier than if you had to deal with the hassles of having yellow stripes or bulb rot.

(Image: KRiemer¹¹)

Besides keeping your soil healthy, here are some ways to stop Daffodil Flower disease:

• Review and remove diseased Daffodil bulbs before planting
• Transplant your Daffodil bulbs every 3-4 years
• Avoid overwatering
• Store Daffodil bulbs in the fall at cooler temperatures
• Remove any diseased Daffodil bulbs or plants from your garden

Taking some time to check your soil to ensure it’s well-drained, not over-fertilized with nitrogen, and checking Daffodil plants for any signs of disease or pests.

Natural Pest Control for Daffodil Flower:

Repelling Aphids and bulb mites with natural solutions such as Neem oil or spraying your plant down with water can start the natural pest control for Daffodil Flower.

There are mixtures of water, peppermint, and other essential oils that have helped with maintaining a Daffodil garden and disease prevention.

Daffodil Care Plan (Bulbs To Plant in Fall and Spring)

Some novice gardeners may believe that Daffodils are low maintenance. Maybe compared to several plants that do not require much sun.

However, having a Daffodil care plan for the spring and fall is recommended. This plan will ensure its beauty and health.

Your ecosystem of birds, bees, and all types of butterflies will also benefit.

The Daffodil care plan should include a watering schedule, Daffodil bulb transitions, weather considerations, mulching, and fertilizing.

Watering Your Daffodil Garden (Watering Needs for Daffodil Flower Plants)

Watering your Daffodil garden is especially important when planting a young bulb to help the root system develop.

Depending on your location, the watering needs maybe every other day for young bulbs.

(Image: No-longer-here¹¹)

But your Spring blooms may not need much water. But check your soil to make sure it’s not dry and loose.

Fertilizing Your Daffodil Garden

Fertilizing your Daffodil garden is to ensure your soil continues to be rich in nutrients. You can fertilize young Daffodils in the fall at the time of planting.

Bone meal is often recommended to help add nutrients to your soil.

Some gardeners fertilize mature Daffodils before the blooming season in early spring. Your location, seasonal weather conditions, and quality of soil will determine when is the best time to fertilize your Daffodil garden.

Deciding when to compost with fertilizer goes hand in hand with mulch. Daffodil Flowers do well with wood, bark, and pine needles as a choice for mulch.

Not only does the mulch keep your soil cool during high heat conditions, it assists in weed control or weed prevention. Each blooming season, Daffodil bulbs thrive with new growth brought by mulch that keeps nutrients in the soil healthy.

Companion Plants for Growing Daffodil Flower

Companion plants for growing Daffodil Flower can be Lilies, Virginia bluebells, roses, and more. Not only will these companion plants help shadow the Daffodil foliage when fading and turning colors that may not be as attractive, but Daffodils help their companions.

Daffodil Flowers are natural repellents for deer, rodents, squirrels, and rabbits. This will help some vegetable gardens like kale and lettuce to be protected from this kind of nuisance.

Daffodils are a beautiful addition to any home or garden and they epitomize spring.

Frequently Asked Questions About Daffodil Flower