Daffodils: Effortless Spring Bulbs That Multiply Year After Year

Nothing heralds spring quite like drifts of daffodils nodding in the breeze. These resilient bulbs require no pre-chilling—simply plant them in autumn and wait for their vibrant trumpets to emerge. Unlike many spring bulbs, daffodils naturalize readily; leave them in the ground and they'll reward you with increasing blooms each year.

Colors and Size

Daffodils bloom in shades of yellow, white, orange, and peach. Most varieties reach 10 to 16 inches tall, with flowers 2 to 3 inches across.

Care Essentials

Water regularly from fall through spring if rainfall is insufficient. Continue watering until foliage yellows naturally, then withhold water during summer dormancy. Divide clumps only when flowering declines, lifting bulbs after foliage has fully died back.

Planting Guidelines

Plant bulbs at a depth two to three times their width. Choose a sunny, well-drained site. In cold regions, plant in late summer or early fall; in warm-winter areas, wait until mid-fall when soil has cooled.

Companion Planting

Overplant with cool-season annuals like pansies, Iceland poppies, or violas, or sow seeds of alyssum, forget-me-nots, or wildflowers for a layered spring display.