• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Truly Experiences Blog

For People Who Collect Memories, Not Things

  • Food & Drink
  • Gifts
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Things To Do
Blog » Hobbies » Gardening » Flowers » Perennial Flowers » How to Grow Narcissus Flowers (And Why They’re Also Called Daffodils)
white and yellow daffodils with a bowl of cookies and some sliced lemons in the upper right side of table on top view

How to Grow Narcissus Flowers (And Why They’re Also Called Daffodils)

Many people believe that the daffodil and narcissus are one and the same, and the truth is, it’s complicated!

We’ve delved into what makes these two flowers the same but different, and hope we answer your questions…

The daffodil belongs to the genus narcissus, which in itself refers to several different plant species. They boast vibrant colours and are a welcomed arrival at the beginning of spring. These flowers are not just a pretty face, they have a more detailed back story than you may realise.

What Is A Narcissus Flower?

Field of yellow Narcissus flowers

The term narcissus refers to a genus of fragrant, bulbous plants that form part of the Amaryllidaceae, or amaryllis, family. There are over 40 species of narcissus that include the daffodil, jonquil, and poet’s narcissus. The bulbs of this plant species are poisonous, although they were once used in medicines.

Depending on the species, the plant can grow to up to 1.2 metres high. It’s easily identifiable by the flattened leaves at the base, central cup-shaped crown, and the vibrant colours. Narcissus flowers are ideal for breathing life into your garden and adding a much-needed splash of colour.

Are Narcissus and Daffodils The Same Flower?

Narcissus is a genus and daffodil is a flower of the genus. The term daffodil is often used to refer to any of the flowers belonging to the narcissus genus. So, when you look at it from that perspective, then yes, narcissus and daffodils are technically the same.

How to Grow Narcissus Flowers

daffodils

Where to Plant Narcissus

Narcissuses can be planted indoors, as borders in your garden, or even in between shrubs. The best place to plant the bulbs is in a spot that offers sunlight and has fertile soil with adequate drainage. The soil needs to remain moist but is susceptible to rot, so be sure not to keep the plant too wet.

When to Plant Narcissus

Narcissus bulbs should be planted in autumn, around three weeks before the first frost that freezes the ground. 

  How to Grow & Care for Evening Primrose Plants (Oenothera biennis)

As the plants continue to grow, they will eventually produce more bulbs. They’re attached to the original bulb and will help the flowers grow while remaining confined to one given space.

How to Plant Narcissus

  1. Select large, moist, high-quality bulbs
  2. Plant the bulb with the tip pointing upwards
  3. The whole must be three times the length of the bulb
  4. The bulbs should be placed around seven centimetres apart
  5. A little bit of fertiliser will go a long way
  6. Divide bulb clumps to alleviate congestion in your garden
  7. Leave the plants to die off – don’t cut them down before that!
  8. The flowers can be toxic to animals, so try to keep them in a pet-free zone
  9. When placing in a vase, avoid putting other flowers with the narcissus as there’s a liquid that the narcissus secretes that causes other flowers to wilt.

Are narcissus perennials?

Narcissuses are perennials and will return every spring when given the chance.

How long do narcissus flowers last?

Depending on where you live and the types of narcissus that you’re growing, the flowers can last anywhere from six weeks to six months.

What to do with narcissus after flowering?

Don’t cut the plant before it has properly died off. They use this time to store energy for the next season. Once they have died, you can cut them at the base or simply pull them off.

Will narcissus bulbs rebloom?

Given the right conditions, narcissus flowers can rebloom.

How often do you water narcissus?

The soil needs to remain moist, but not soaking wet. In most cases, it should be watered at least twice a week.

Can narcissus be planted outside?

The flower thrives outside and will bloom in the springtime. However, you can grow them indoors and force them to bloom.

Can narcissus bulbs be reused?

Most bulbs can be reused, assuming that they have not been forced to bloom of course.

How do you force narcissus?

Forcing a narcissus in water: Fill a container with washed stones or gravel. Put the bulbs on top of the stones and cover them with additional gravel and stones, leaving the tip open. Add water and ensure that it touches the bottom at all times.

  Growing Phlox: When, Where And How To Plant Phlox Flowers

Forcing a narcissus in a pot: Fill a container halfway with soil, place the bulbs on the soil and then cover with additional soil. The tips of the bulbs need to stick out of the soil. Water the container and keep the soil moist during this time.

Can you plant narcissus bulbs in water?

Yes, water is most commonly used to force bulbs to bloom during winter.

How Many Varieties Of Narcissus Are There?

There are over 13,000 species of narcissus flowers. They’re found in Japan, North Africa, Australia, and Europe, although many of these are hybrids or more modern varieties.

The more commons varieties include:

Jonquils

The narcissus jonquilla is a bright yellow flower that was originally found in the Iberian Peninsula. It has a strong fragrance and deep green leaves.

Poet’s Narcissus

This flower is a white and yellow flower, identifiable by its red and yellow corona and white petals.

Paperwhite Narcissus

These flowers have a beautiful fragrance, although the bulb has a not so pleasant peppery smell. The brightly coloured and thrive in warmer conditions. When grown indoors, they can produce flowers fairly quickly.

Angel’s Tears

Narcissus triandrus is a creamy, yellowish flower that produces around three flowers per stem towards the end of spring. The petals flare backwards, away from the cup making the flower more conspicuous.

Petticoat Daffodil

The narcissus bulbocodium is a flower found in Spain, France, and Portugal: The flower resembles a hooped petticoat, which is how it got its name.

What is the Meaning of Narcissus Flower

garden of white daffodils

As one of the first pops of colour to emerge from the soil in spring, these white or yellow flowers have become synonymous with light emerging from the darkness. Overcoming adversity and resilience are two of the meanings linked to the flowers. These characteristics make them the ideal birth flower for December, along with other attributes such as:

  • Springtime
  • Prosperity
  • Rebirth
  • Good luck
  • Inspiration
  • Happiness
  • Clarity
  • Life’s challenges
  • Egotism
  Growing Marigolds: How to Plant & Care for Marigolds in Your Garden

As much as the flower has positive connotations, it also has some not so pleasant connotations that you need to remember.

Going Back In Time With The Narcissus

The first thing to note is that the Greek word narcosis that describes a numb state. The narcissus is also linked to the Greek myth about Narcissus.

Narcissus’ parents were a river god and nymph. He spent so much time staring at his reflection in the water, so much so that he fell in love with it, became obsessed, and eventually drowned and died. Following his death, the first flower bloomed – right on the spot where he took his last breath.

The flower is therefore a reminder of how self-obsession can be your downfall, but it’s also a symbol of possible change. In the same breath, they’re also the first springtime flower to bloom. They’re always on time, and a symbol of punctuality.

In the Victorian era, the flower symbolised chivalry and unrequited love, while the Chinese view it as a symbol of wealth.

 

Jump To a Section Below

  • What Is A Narcissus Flower?
  • Are Narcissus and Daffodils The Same Flower?
  • How to Grow Narcissus Flowers
    • Where to Plant Narcissus
    • When to Plant Narcissus
    • How to Plant Narcissus
  • Are narcissus perennials?
  • How long do narcissus flowers last?
  • What to do with narcissus after flowering?
  • Will narcissus bulbs rebloom?
  • How often do you water narcissus?
  • Can narcissus be planted outside?
  • Can narcissus bulbs be reused?
  • How do you force narcissus?
  • Can you plant narcissus bulbs in water?
  • How Many Varieties Of Narcissus Are There?
    • Jonquils
    • Poet’s Narcissus
    • Paperwhite Narcissus
    • Angel’s Tears
    • Petticoat Daffodil
  • What is the Meaning of Narcissus Flower
  • Going Back In Time With The Narcissus

Rae Oliver May 4, 2022

Footer

  • Truly Experiences
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Affiliate Disclosure

We believe in being as transparent as possible when it comes to this site. With this in mind, please be aware that we may receive remuneration for some of the products we review on this site.

Truly Experiences is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk (and other Amazon programs).

We will also list ads from time to time. You should be able to see these as text links or blocks of ads which have a small notation indicating “Ads by Google” or “AdChoices”.

Our mission is to help our visitors, but this is also very clearly a for-profit site and you should realize as much. We include only those products that we believe could benefit you, some of which we may get a commission if you purchase them. However, we also provide links on the site to information resources for which we receive no compensation.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact us using the "contact" option on the site menu and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Trademark Dislosure

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

In addition, any other trademarks and logos we mention on this site are also the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2023 Truly Experiences

Please be aware that we may receive remuneration if you follow some of the links on this site and purchase products.OkRead More