About
A bulbous perennial with strap-shaped green leaves. A cluster of up to three, aromatic flowers appear in spring, with creamy-white petals and a pale yellow trumpet, which later fades to creamy-white.
About the genus
Narcissus are bulbous herbaceous perennials with linear leaves and leafless stems bearing flowers, which may be solitary or in umbels, with 6 spreading perianth segments and a cup or trumpet-shaped corona
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, tortoises): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationPlant at one and a half to two times its own depth in autumn. Will tolerate most soils but prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is constantly moist during the growing season. See daffodil cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, narcissus bulb fly, narcissus eelworm, and bulb scale mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to narcissus basal rot, narcissus leaf scorch or daffodil viruses