The daffodil is one of the first and most cheerful signs of spring — a hardy bulb topped with a bright trumpet ringed by petals, mostly in shades of yellow and white. It naturalizes readily, returning and multiplying year after year.
Daffodil at a glance
- Botanical name: Narcissus
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Bloom season: early to mid-spring
- Symbolism: rebirth, hope, and new beginnings
About the daffodil
Daffodils, known botanically as Narcissus, grow from bulbs and open their distinctive trumpet-and-petal flowers in early spring. They’re wonderfully low-maintenance and, because the whole plant is toxic, they’re left alone by deer and rodents, which makes them one of the most reliable spring bulbs.
Daffodil meaning and symbolism
The daffodil symbolizes rebirth, hope, and new beginnings, and it’s the emblem of several cancer charities. It’s also March’s birth flower; see our daffodil meaning guide.
Types of daffodil
Popular varieties worth knowing:
- Trumpet — the classic large single trumpet
- Large-cupped — a shorter cup, often two-toned
- Double — ruffled, many-petaled blooms
- Jonquilla — fragrant clusters of small flowers
- Tazetta (paperwhite) — fragrant, cluster-flowered, good for forcing
- Poeticus — white petals with a small red-rimmed eye
How to grow and care for daffodil
A few essentials keep this flower thriving:
- Plant bulbs in autumn, 6 inches deep, in full sun to part shade
- Give them well-drained soil
- Let the foliage yellow and die back so the bulb stores energy
- Leave clumps to naturalize and multiply
- Divide crowded clumps every few years after the leaves fade
Daffodil FAQs
When do daffodils bloom?
Daffodils bloom in early to mid-spring, often among the first flowers of the year, with early, mid, and late varieties extending the season.
Are daffodils poisonous?
Yes. All parts of the daffodil are toxic if eaten, which is why deer and rodents avoid them — but it also means they should be kept away from pets and children.
Do daffodils come back every year?
Yes. Daffodils are reliable perennials that return and multiply for years, making them one of the best bulbs for naturalizing in lawns and borders.
Explore more
Browse more flower profiles, learn about flower meanings, or find your birth flower.