Garden Care Guide

Daffodil Care

Narcissus

A hardy, long-lived bulbous plant, a herald of spring, known for its trumpet-shaped flowers. It likes full sun or light shade and well-drained soil. Because it is poisonous to animals, it can spread (naturalize) trouble-free in the garden and stay for years.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: The bulbs continue to root underground. The leaf tips of some early species may be seen.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
February
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
March
  • Watering: If necessary (if there is no rain), 10-15 L/m².
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Cut only the faded flowers together with their stalks (deadheading); never cut the leaves.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris) larvae can damage bulbs; watch for weak plants.
  • Frost risk: Generally hardy, but fully opened flowers may be affected by severe frost.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: If no fertilizer was applied at the start of the month, you may do so now.
  • Pruning: **Do not cut the leaves.** Let them yellow and dry naturally. This is the most important period for feeding the bulb.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Rust or leaf spot diseases may be seen on the leaves but are generally harmless.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Leaves that have yellowed and dried out completely can now be removed.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: If you have lifted the bulbs, discard the rotten, soft, or diseased ones.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • General care: The bulbs are in summer dormancy underground. Do not disturb them. You can shade the area with other summer plants.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • General care: The bulbs are in summer dormancy underground. Watering can cause them to rot.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • General care: The bulbs are in summer dormancy underground. Toward the end of the month, preparations can be made for planting new bulbs.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Not needed. If the soil is very poor, some compost or bulb fertilizer can be added to the planting hole.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Plant only healthy, firm bulbs. Discard soft or moldy bulbs.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
November
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Root development continues underground.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
December
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Full dormancy period.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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