Plant daffodil bulbs in fall, early enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes: mid-September to mid-October in Minnesota (University of Minnesota), October in Iowa (Iowa State), mid- or late September through October once soil is below 60°F in New Jersey and Nebraska (Rutgers, Nebraska Extension), and October or November in South Carolina (Clemson). Set them about 6 to 8 inches deep in well-drained soil with at least six hours of sun. Daffodils usually come back for years, and animals rarely eat them.
Daffodils (Narcissus) are perennial bulbs in the amaryllis family, 8 to 30 inches tall, with fragrant flowers that last two to three weeks somewhere between late winter and late spring (NC State Extension). NC State lists 13 divisions of daffodils, from trumpet and large-cupped types to jonquils, tazettas, poeticus and species daffodils. Compared with tulips, they are the easier, longer-lived bulb: Wisconsin Horticulture says daffodils tend to live longer in its soils than tulips.
When to plant daffodils by region
Unlike tulips, daffodils don't get a "plant as late as you like" pass in the sources. Aim for the main fall window:
| Area | When to plant daffodils |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | Mid-September to mid-October, so roots grow before the ground freezes (University of Minnesota) |
| Wisconsin | Once the ground is about 50 to 55°F or lower, until a couple of weeks before it freezes (Wisconsin Horticulture) |
| Iowa | October is ideal (Iowa State) |
| Nebraska and New Jersey | Late or mid-September through October, when soil falls below 60°F (Nebraska Extension, Rutgers) |
| South Carolina | October or November (Clemson); "mid-autumn" in its daffodil section |
| North Carolina | Fall (NC State) |
The University of Minnesota suggests buying bulbs in August or September and planting them as soon as possible in its window. Clemson suggests buying while supplies are good in September or October and storing bulbs somewhere cool, below 60°F, until planting. Nebraska Extension says 60 to 65°F storage is cool enough.
How deep and far apart to plant daffodils
| Step | What extension sources say |
|---|---|
| Depth | 8 inches (NC State, Rutgers); 6 to 8 inches, less for small species bulbs (Clemson); 8 inches for trumpet and large-cupped types and 5 inches for miniatures (Nebraska Extension) |
| Spacing | 2 to 3 inches apart, or 10 to 12 bulbs per square foot (NC State); 3 to 6 inches by size (Clemson); about 8 inches (Rutgers) |
| Grouping | Groups of at least six, in sweeping masses (NC State); clumps of 5 to 8 per hole (Wisconsin Horticulture) |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade (NC State); at least six hours while in leaf (Clemson) |
| Soil | Well-drained, acidic soil (NC State); bulbs rot in soil that stays wet (Clemson) |
| Planting | Point up; cover with half the soil, soak, then finish filling (University of Minnesota); 2 to 3 inches of mulch (Rutgers) |
Clemson notes that planting too shallowly can cause sparse daffodil blooms, so don't skimp on depth.
Daffodils in the South
Daffodils are the better bet than tulips in warm climates. Clemson calls them the most successful popular spring bulbs for naturalizing in the South and says jonquil hybrids, tazetta hybrids, poeticus and species daffodils grow reliably throughout South Carolina. It suggests choosing large-flowered, trumpet, double and late-blooming types carefully, because many don't do well in the warmer parts of the state. Tazettas, including paperwhites, don't need a chilling period (Clemson), which also makes them a good fit for warmer areas.
After bloom: keep the leaves
- Snip faded flowers to stop seed formation (Clemson, NC State). Nebraska Extension says deadheading some daffodils and tulips can lengthen flowering time by up to two months.
- Leave the foliage at least six weeks after bloom or until it browns (Clemson), or until it yellows (NC State). Cutting it early starves next year's bulb.
- Divide crowded clumps when flowering declines, digging just after the foliage dies back (NC State).
Animals and other problems
Daffodils' big advantage is that pests mostly leave them alone. Clemson says animals rarely eat daffodil bulbs, while tulip and crocus bulbs often get dug up. NC State lists daffodils as deer and rabbit resistant. Wisconsin Horticulture says daffodils are poisonous to chipmunks and squirrels, so planting them can deter digging, and the University of Minnesota also notes that narcissus bulbs are poisonous. The flip side: NC State tags daffodils as poisonous, so keep bulbs away from pets and children (GardenPal note).
The main problem is rot. NC State and Clemson both say bulbs rot in wet, poorly drained soil. For tulips planted alongside, see when to plant tulips.
Daffodils around the vegetable garden
Daffodils suit the edges of beds and paths, where they can be left undisturbed for years (NC State). Rutgers suggests interplanting bulbs with cool-season annuals such as pansies to hide ripening leaves; see when to plant pansies. For other fall planting jobs, see what to plant in fall and when to plant garlic.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant daffodil bulbs?
In fall: mid-September to mid-October in Minnesota, October in Iowa, mid- or late September through October once soil is below 60°F in New Jersey and Nebraska, and October or November in South Carolina.
How deep do you plant daffodils?
About 8 inches for standard daffodils (NC State, Rutgers, Nebraska Extension), 6 to 8 inches per Clemson, and about 5 inches for miniatures (Nebraska Extension).
Do daffodils come back every year?
Usually. Wisconsin Horticulture says they tend to live longer than tulips, and NC State says bulbs can be left undisturbed for years. Divide clumps if flowering declines.
Do squirrels eat daffodil bulbs?
Rarely. Clemson says animals rarely eat daffodil bulbs, and Wisconsin Horticulture says daffodils are poisonous to squirrels and chipmunks.
When can I cut back daffodil leaves?
After they yellow (NC State), or at least six weeks after bloom (Clemson). Cutting leaves too early can mean fewer flowers next year.
Which daffodils grow best in the South?
Clemson recommends jonquil hybrids, tazetta hybrids, poeticus and species daffodils as reliable throughout South Carolina.
Enter your frost dates to plan fall crops and bulb planting together.
Open itSources
- Virginia Cooperative Extension, "Companion Planting in Gardening" (SPES-620P)
- University of Maryland Extension, "Vegetable Succession and Companion Planting"
- Oregon State University Extension, "Companion Planting"
- Penn State Extension, "Herbs Make Good Plant Partners and Companions"
- University of Minnesota Extension, "Planting the vegetable garden"
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (frost/freeze data)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, "Narcissus" (daffodils)
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC, "Spring-Flowering Bulbs" (HGIC 1155)
- University of Minnesota Extension, "Planting bulbs, tubers and rhizomes"
- Iowa State University Extension, Yard and Garden, "When is the best time to plant tulips?"
- Rutgers NJAES, "Spring Flowering Bulbs" (FS1220)
- Nebraska Extension, "Spring Flowering Bulbs" (G1742)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture, "Plant Bulbs Now for Spring Color"
Pairings are summarized in our own words from extension-service guidance. Research support for many companion effects is limited, so treat them as good habits, not guarantees.