How to plant daffodil bulbs (UK)

By Sophie Sparkes · October 2026 · 5 min read

Daffodils are the most forgiving bulb you can plant. They shrug off cold, squirrels leave them alone, and a single planting can flower for decades. Most of the difference between a thin show and a great one comes down to three things: when they go in, how deep, and what you do after they flower.

Short answer: plant daffodil bulbs in September or early October, pointy end up, at about three times the bulb's own height (around 15cm deep for a standard bulb) and two bulb widths apart. Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot that drains well. After flowering, leave the leaves alone for six weeks so the bulb can recharge for next spring.

When to plant daffodils

September is ideal, and anything up to mid October is still very good. Daffodils start making roots almost as soon as they are in the ground, and warm early autumn soil gives them weeks to build a proper root system before winter. That is the opposite of tulips, which are deliberately left until November.

Late is still fine. Bulbs planted in November or even December will flower, just a little later and a little smaller in their first year. What does not work is keeping them in the bag until spring, because a bulb is a living plant and dries out.

How deep to plant daffodil bulbs

The rule is three times the height of the bulb, measured from the base of the bulb to the soil surface. In practice:

• Standard daffodils (a bulb about 5cm tall): about 15cm deep.
• Miniature daffodils such as 'Tête-à-tête' (a bulb about 2.5cm tall): about 8cm deep.
• Light, sandy soil: go a little deeper. Heavy clay: stay at the rule, but put a handful of grit under each bulb.

Shallow planting is the most common mistake. Shallow bulbs dry out in spring, flop over in wind, and often stop flowering after a year or two.

How far apart

In borders, space bulbs about two bulb widths apart, which is roughly 10-15cm for standard daffodils. Plant them in groups of at least five or seven rather than in a line; a drift of daffodils looks natural, while a row of them looks like a car park.

Step by step

1. Check the bulbs. They should be firm and heavy for their size, with no soft or mouldy patches. Bin any that squash under your thumb.
2. Dig the hole to the right depth. For a group, dig one wide hole rather than lots of narrow ones; it is quicker and the bulbs sit more evenly.
3. Pointy end up. If you genuinely cannot tell which end is which, plant it on its side. The shoot will find its way up.
4. Backfill and firm gently with your hand, so there are no air pockets around the bulbs.
5. Water once if the soil is dry. After that, autumn rain does the job.
6. Mark the spot. A label stops you spearing them with a fork in February.

Daffodils in pots

Pots are where you can break the spacing rule: bulbs can sit almost shoulder to shoulder, which gives a much fuller display. Use multi-purpose compost with a few handfuls of grit mixed in, keep the depth rule, and make sure the pot has a drainage hole. A pot that sits in a saucer of water all winter will rot the bulbs.

Daffodils in grass

For a natural look, take a handful of bulbs, toss them gently across the lawn and plant each one where it lands. A long-handled bulb planter makes this much easier on the back. Smaller, earlier varieties such as 'February Gold' suit grass best. The catch: you cannot mow that patch until the leaves have died back, usually around early June.

After flowering: the bit that decides next year

• Snap off the dead flower heads so the plant does not waste energy making seed.
• Leave the leaves for six weeks. They are feeding the bulb for next spring. Do not cut, fold or knot them, however tidy it looks.
• Feed if you like with a high-potash liquid feed (tomato feed works) every couple of weeks while the leaves are green.

Daffodil questions

Is it too late to plant daffodil bulbs?

Almost certainly not. September is best, but daffodils planted in October, November or even December will still flower, just later and a little smaller in the first year. As long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, planting late always beats leaving bulbs in the bag.

Which way up do daffodil bulbs go?

Pointy end up, flat end (where the old roots were) down. If a bulb is so round you cannot tell, plant it on its side and the shoot will turn upwards on its own. Planting upside down costs the bulb energy and usually means a weaker first year.

Why are my daffodils not flowering?

Leaves but no flowers is called going "blind". The usual causes are planting too shallow, cutting the leaves off too soon after flowering the previous year, overcrowded clumps, or too much shade. Old clumps that have stopped flowering can be lifted once the leaves have died down in early summer, split up and replanted further apart.

Do squirrels eat daffodil bulbs?

Rarely. Daffodil bulbs contain compounds that make them unpalatable, so squirrels tend to dig up tulips and crocuses instead and leave daffodils alone. They may still dig a fresh hole out of curiosity, so firm the soil well after planting.

Are daffodils poisonous to pets?

Yes. All parts of the daffodil are toxic to dogs and cats, and the bulb is the most toxic part, so keep dogs that dig away from freshly planted bulbs and store unplanted bulbs out of reach. They are also poisonous to people: never store bulbs where they could be mistaken for onions.