The yellow flowers often pop up on road sides and in gardens in spring but you’ll need to prepare them before then so they can blossom into tall and eye-catching flowers in a few months’ time.
If you’re wondering if it’s too early to plant your daffodil bulbs for spring 2026, you’d be wrong, according to an expert.
When is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs?
David Denyer, flower expert at Eflorist, shares advice on the best time to plant your bulbs and it might be sooner than you think.
He said: “The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is from September through November, while the soil still holds some warmth but before it becomes too wet in winter. This allows the bulbs to put down strong roots, which is what leads to healthy growth and spring flowers.
“If you wait until late winter, your bulbs may not establish properly, which can result in small or missing blooms.”
Where should you plant daffodils to get the best results?
David advises choosing “a sunny or lightly shaded spot with soil that drains well.”
He added: “If your soil is heavy clay, add grit or plant your bulbs in raised beds and pots to prevent rot. In sandy soil, mix in some compost to help the ground hold onto moisture.
“Bulbs should be planted around three times their own depth, usually 10 to 15 cm, and spaced about 7 to 10 cm apart. Place them with the pointed tip facing upwards, as this is where the shoots will emerge from.
“If your bulbs are planted too shallowly, they can become unstable and are more likely to topple once they flower.”
Sometimes, daffodils are planted in rows but if you’d rather have a bigger arrangement, you should “plant them in clusters to create a more natural flower display, aiming for odd-numbered groups of three, five, or seven for a more balanced effect in your garden.”
David added: “You can also extend the flowering season by mixing early, mid, and late-flowering varieties of daffodils. If you’re planting in containers, try using the ‘lasagne method’, which involves layering bulbs at different depths.
“The deeper bulbs flower first, followed by the middle and top layers, giving you waves of flowers over a longer period.”
How to look after daffodils once the bulbs are planted
David suggests: “Once your bulbs are in the ground, give them a thorough watering to help the soil settle around them and encourage root growth. After that, they can usually be left alone through the winter, as rainfall should provide enough moisture.
“It’s a good idea to mark where you have planted your bulbs, with something like a label or a decorative rock, so you don’t accidentally disturb them when the soil looks bare.
“Bulbs already contain all the energy they need to flower, so you don’t need to feed them at planting. Just make sure the soil stays free-draining over winter, and if you’re using a container, keep an eye on it so it doesn’t become waterlogged.”
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When do daffodils bloom?
The National Trust has shared when you can expect your daffodils to bloom.
Depending on the type of daffodil, they can sometimes flower before Christmas.
Other varieties bloom from February to May.
You can see which types of daffodils bloom the earliest via the National Trust’s daffodil calendar (linked above).
