About
A small, bulbous perennial with dark green, tubular leaves. The scented, pale yellow flowers, produced between late autumn and early spring, have short, narrow petals and a very wide trumpet, up to 3cm across, with a rolled back rim and protruding stamens.
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 typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
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
CultivationGrow in a cold greenhouse, bulb frame or alpine house in free-draining compost (e.g. 2 parts peat-free, loam-based compost to 1 part grit). Allow to dry out completely during summer dormancy, repotting into damp compost in early autumn. See also daffodil cultivation
PruningDeadhead as flowers fade and allow foliage to die back naturally
PropagationPropagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in a container in a cold frame, or by separating offsets in early autumn before the roots start to grow
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