Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family. It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Daffodil in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Daffodil at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Mature height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Daffodil toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: bulbs, all parts
Contains lycorine and other alkaloids; the bulb is most toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Daffodil
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
See Daffodil in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (20 plants)
Questions about Daffodil
- How far apart should I plant Daffodil?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Daffodil need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Daffodil need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Daffodil?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Daffodil flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Daffodil poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains lycorine and other alkaloids; the bulb is most toxic.
- What grows well with Daffodil?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Daffodil. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Foliage dies back by early summer.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Onion Allium cepa
- Garlic Allium sativum
- Leek Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum group)
- Chives Allium schoenoprasum
- Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
- Ornamental allium Allium giganteum
- Shallot Allium cepa var. aggregatum
- Welsh onion (scallion) Allium fistulosum