Overview
Narcissus is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Narcissus, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Narcissus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Canary Is., China Southeast, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
About
Narcissus, commonly known as daffodil, is a clump-forming perennial from the Amaryllidaceae family. It features slender, deciduous leaves and stems that bear flowers either singly or in umbels, each with six perianth segments and a cup-shaped or trumpet-like corona. Suitable for full sun or partial shade in a variety of soil types, it thrives in well-drained, moist conditions and is hardy to UK zone H6. This spring-flowering plant is ideal for cottage gardens, city courtyards, patios, flower borders, and as cut flowers, with bulbs best planted in late summer to early autumn.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Narcissus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Narcissus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Canary Is., China Southeast, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Narcissus
- Propagation
- Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Narcissus bulb fly, Narcissus eelworm, Bulb scale mite
- Disease resistance
- Narcissus basal rot, Narcissus leaf scorch, Daffodil viruses
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Narcissus?
Narcissus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Narcissus need?
Narcissus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Narcissus hardy in the UK?
Narcissus has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Narcissus?
Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer.
More in the Narcissus genus
- Narcissus 'All In' (4)
- Narcissus 'Angkor' (4)
- Narcissus 'Best Seller' (1)daffodil 'Best Seller'
- Narcissus 'Capitol Hill' (2)
- Narcissus 'Abbey Road' (5)
- Narcissus 'Ainley' (2)
- Narcissus 'Albacrest' (3)
- Narcissus 'Alice's Pink' (2)