How to Plant & Care for Narcissus Bulbs

N(caps)arcissus is the name of a genus which includes flower bulbs like Daffodils, Jonquils and paperwhites. Narcissus are easily grown from bulbs. These easy-care flowering add bright spots of sunshine that will return year after year. The word Narcissus is derived from the Greek word "narke", meaning numbness or stupor. Some attribute the naming of the flower to its narcotic fragrance, while others debate that it is associated with the poisonous nature of the Narcissus bulbs. Narcissus is mostly native to the Mediterranean region, but a few species are found in Central Asia and China. Bulbs are the main source for growing all the species of Narcissus.
On this article, you'll find everything you need to know about how to plant and care for the narcissus - commonly known as the daffodil. There's a lot to learn about these beautiful flowers!

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Narcissus Varieties

There are about 13,000 varieties of narcissi and over 50 different species. All they come from the Amaryllidaceae family. Narcissus and Daffodils are the same. Daffodil is the common name for the narcissus plant. Any flower that is called a daffodil, jonquil or any of the colloquial names mentioned earlier come from the narcissus genus. Paperwhites are the most popular varieties of Narcissus.

Jonquils 

They have dark green, round, rush-like leaves and clusters of small, fragrant, early, yellow blossoms.

Daffodils

Without a doubt, modern large flowered daffodils are the most popular type of Narcissus planted today.

Paperwhites

They are the early blooming Narcissus variety with white, powerfully fragrant, clustered flowers.

If you want to fill your garden with scent, colour and beauty, plant Autumn Bulbs from October to December, before the first frost. Narcissus, Daffodils, tulips, crocus, grape hyacinths and fritillarias are just some of the plants to choose from. Good quality purchased bulbs will normally flower well in their first year on any kind of soil.

Here’s how to plant Narcissus bulbs and grow Narcissus flowers in your garden!

When buying Narcissus bulbs, check they're healthy, firm bulbs and as fresh as possible. Avoid any bulbs that are shrivelled or damaged!

Planting Narcissus Bulbs 

• Select high-quality Narcissus bulbs that have not dried out. The larger bulb is the better.  The better narcissus bulbs can withstand winter cold and frosts.
• Plant Narcissus bulbs in the fall. Narcissus are a fall-planted bulb, so plant them in autumn, and they will bloom in late winter or early spring. About 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes.
• Select a site that offers full sun or partial shade.
• Most Narcissus tolerates a range of soils, but grow best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is kept moist during the growing season.

• The depth plays an important part in the success of your Narcissus. Plant too shallow, and you run the risk of dividing bulbs and ‘flopping’ stems. Plant too deep and your Narcissus might never emerge and dies. 
• Plant bulbs with its top facing upwards and 1 to 4 times their own depth. Make sure there are at least 3 inches of soil covering the bulbs.
• Narcissus will tolerate some crowding, but they prefer to be spaced 3 to 6 inches apart.
• It’s important to water your daffodil bulbs well once you’ve planted them to ensure the bulbs root well.

• Cover with a piece of chicken wire to prevent mice and voles from digging them out. When shoots appear, remove it.

• When planting Narcissus, it’s good to mix organic matter such as well rotted chicken manure or compost into the soil. Water the bulbs when they are actively growing in the spring. Provide up to 1 inch of water per week during dry weather.
• Once established, fertilize each spring, but avoid high nitrogen content fertilizer that can cause Narcissus blindness. Opt for a high potash fertilizer instead.

Narcissus Care 

• Keep an eye on moisture levels in the soil. Water narcissus generously while the plant is blooming and when the plants are dormant during the summer, keep the soil relatively dry.
• Never cut narcissus. Always pick them. When you cut them, they have a shorter stem, and the stem is hollow. It doesn't draw water very well, and the flowers don't last. If you pick them, just reach all the way down to the base of the stem and snap it off. This way you will get a much longer stem with that solid part at the end that soaks up water and holds it. Your narcissus flowers last beautifully when gathered this way.
• Once your flowers are gone, deadhead them to give the bulbs a chance to save their energy for next spring.
• Once the bloom is finished, and you’ve cut the flowers, leave them alone for five to six weeks, or wait until the leaves start to turn yellow and deteriorate. The bulb uses its foliage to create energy for next year. Remember that cutting back their leaves or too early will result in a poor crop or no flowers next spring.
• If cared for correctly, these cheerful perennials will return year after year. 

Narcissus Flowering Failure 

Narcissus may fail to bloom, and the most likely cause for not flowering is that the bulbs have multiplied and become too crowded. So try digging them up and dividing. Separate off any small bulblets that may have formed around the main bulb and replant all the bulbs in compost amended soil.

If they’ve never flowered, it’s likely they were planted too late, or they are not getting enough sunshine.

Most cultures celebrate the narcissus as a symbol of hope and joy. If you give a bunch of narcissi to a loved one, it means 'they're the only one'.

Want to read more:

➡️  How to Grow Narcissus in Pots

➡️ Narcissus Daffodil Flower Bulbs

Watch How to Grow Narcissus in Pots Video

Look after your Narcissus, and they’ll reward you for many years to come. If you have any tips for growing Narcissus, we’d love to hear them.

Happy gardening!

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