Planting and care of potted narcissus bulbs

When is the best time to plant daffodils in pots?

The ideal period for planting narcissus bulbs in pots sits between September and December, just as for planting in the ground. Pot plantings offer even a little more flexibility, as you can move the pots to the shelter of a greenhouse, a conservatory, a garage, or even indoors if extreme weather conditions are forecast. In addition, planting at this time will allow you to enjoy flowering from early spring to early summer.

Which pot should I choose to grow daffodils?

To obtain beautiful, fully opened daffodil blooms, you need to choose the right container! Whether in a pot or window box, prioritise a container at least 20–25 cm tall for good root development. For pots, preferably a diameter of at least 30 cm, to prevent bulbs from becoming compacted over time, and to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.

On the materials side, terracotta is ideal for better root aeration, but if you prefer something lighter (especially if you regularly move the planter), resin or plastic will also do the job. Just make sure simply that your pot or window box is drilled at the bottom to allow excess water to drain away.

What type of substrate should you choose?

For growing Narcissus in pots, it is preferable to choose a substrate that is both rich and well-draining. Indeed, if Narcissus plants enjoy a slightly damp potting mix during their growth phase, they dread excess moisture that can rot the bulbs (especially during dormancy). First, ensure good drainage at the bottom of the pot to prevent water stagnation.

For the substrate, mix 1/3 garden soil with 1/3 compost and 1/3 coarse sand for garden use (river or quarry sand). If you live in an apartment or you have neither garden soil nor compost, make a mix of 2/3 potting compost and 1/3 garden sand. You can also replace the sand with a pouzzolane.

Finally, provide a bed of clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot.

Which variety to choose?

The world of narcissi is vast, offering a wide range of varieties and colours. Daffodils generally grow very well in pots, but the dwarf varieties, measuring 20–35 cm in height, are better suited to pot or window box cultivation than others. Start by asking yourself about colour, do you prefer bright white, vibrant yellow, or perhaps a more subtle shade of white and orange? Double or single flowers? Here is a short selection of our favourite varieties for successful pot cultivation:

• The Narcissus ‘Tête-à-Tête’ is a dwarf variety that lends itself particularly well to pot cultivation. Its golden-yellow flowers will bring a bright touch to your window box or container.
• The Narcissus ‘Toto’ is distinguished by its white petals that are both simple and delicate, surrounding a pale-yellow trumpet, becoming cream. This variety is appreciated for its elegance and simplicity.
• The Narcissus ‘Rip Van Winkle’ offers very original double flowers that resemble tiny stars. This very small variety is ideal for container growing, particularly in window boxes.
• The Narcissus ‘Tête Bouclée’‘ proposes a rarer aesthetic with very double and frizzy blossoms, in a bright citron-yellow shade.
• The Narcissus ‘Art Design’‘ is a remarkable and rare variety. The flower features a very double trumpet and the colour, with many nuances, ranges from cream to pale yellow to brighter yellow and to salmon pink.
• The Narcissus ‘Rosy Cloud’ adds a lot of charm and romance with its cream-white petals and a soft pink frill in the centre.
• The Narcissus ‘Tazetta Minnow’ is a small marvel that captivates with multiple flowers per stem. Its white petals and pale yellow heart will bring a delicate note to your garden or balcony.
• The Narcissus ‘Prototype’ offers petals in a soft yellow, almost cream, surrounding a salmon-pink trumpet. Its small size is perfect for pots.

→ find all our narcissus varieties.

On the left: Narcissus ‘Tête-à-Tête’ and Narcissus ‘Toto’ / In the centre: Narcissus ‘Tazetta Minnow’ / On the right: Narcissus ‘Rip Van Winkle’ and Narcissus ‘Rosy Cloud’

Planting Narcissus bulbs in pots

1- Place a layer of clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the pot to improve drainage. Then place a saucer under the pot.

2- Fill the pot with the substrate up to about one-third or half the height of the pot, then firm it down lightly.

Tip: to know how far to fill your pot, the bulbs should be covered to a depth of twice their height. Also allow about 2–3 cm of space between the top of the substrate and the rim of the pot.

3- Place the daffodil bulbs with the pointed end facing up, leaving at least 3–5 cm of space between them, depending on the desired effect.

4- Cover the bulbs with the substrate, leaving about 2–3 cm of space between the top of the substrate and the rim of the pot.

5- Water abundantly, preferably with rainwater, until water drains through the drainage holes, then remove the excess water from the saucer.

6- Place the pot in a bright location, preferably in full sun or in partial shade.

Note: daffodils require at least 5 hours of light per day to flower well.

7- Your daffodils should flower within 6–10 weeks of planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Keep the substrate slightly moist, but not waterlogged.

Caring for daffodils in pots

• Apply a monthly dose of fertiliser for flowering bulbs to your plants during the growing season. Avoid fertilisers high in nitrogen, which promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
• Deadhead the faded blooms without touching the foliage to conserve the bulbs’ reserves.
• Once flowering is finished, gradually reduce watering and let the leaves yellow naturally. This allows the bulbs to store nutrients for the next season. During this period, also apply fertiliser to help them.
• Remove the foliage only when it is dry and remove the saucer.
• Narcissus bulbs tolerate winter well and a cold spell is even essential for a good flowering at the start of the following spring. You can therefore leave the narcissi in the soil, without necessarily digging them up. You can, however, protect the pot in case of severe frosts. For more detail, you can read our article: “Overwintering potted plants to protect them from the cold“.

Further reading

• Discover all our narcissus varieties.
• For more information, read our article on narcissus or daffodils: Planting, growing and care.