This spring, I had a few pots of daffodils brightening up my windowsill, and now that the flowers have faded, I’ve been wondering what to do next. I didn’t want to just toss them out, so I looked into how to give them the best chance of blooming again next year. I’ve started by cutting off the dead blooms and plan to let the leaves die back naturally—even though they look a bit messy right now.
Soon, I’ll be moving the bulbs into the garden, choosing a sunny spot where they can settle in for the rest of the year. I didn’t realize before how important it is to let the leaves stay until they completely yellow and fall off, but it makes sense that they’re feeding the bulb. I’m also going to try that trick with planting them deeper—about twice the height of the bulb—so they have a strong base to regrow. It feels satisfying knowing that a little care now can bring even more beauty next spring.
No spring garden or floral display is complete without the vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms of daffodils. But how can you make sure their beauty lasts year after year?
When spring flowers like tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils finish blooming, the signs are clear—petals fall off or dry up. Whether planted in the garden or in pots, faded bulb flowers need special care to ensure they bloom just as beautifully next season. Here are some tips on how to properly care for daffodils after they flower.
Contents
What to Do When Daffodils Have Faded
- Cut off old blooms
- Let the foliage die back naturally
- Apply a low-phosphorus fertilizer after blooming
- Separate and replant bulb offsets
- Plant faded potted daffodils in the garden
Can You Cut Back Daffodil Leaves?
No—this is not recommended. The leaves are vital as they store energy in the bulb for next year’s blooms. It’s important to let the plant fully draw nutrients from the leaves before they wither away naturally. In flower beds, you can hide the dying leaves beneath emerging perennials. If daffodils are growing in the lawn, simply mow around them until the foliage has completely died back.
It’s a good idea not to plant large quantities of daffodils in the front of beds. Instead, group them among perennials with lush foliage that will later cover the dying leaves. If you dislike the look of fading leaves, try growing daffodils in baskets sunk into the soil in autumn. After flowering, you can lift the entire basket and let the foliage die back in a more discreet, shady spot under a tree.
Remove Old Flowers
Not only does cutting leaves too early weaken the plant—so does allowing it to form seed capsules after flowering. Like many perennials, it’s best to cut the flower stalks to prevent energy from being wasted on seeds. This allows the bulb to focus fully on storing nutrients underground. Daffodil seedlings are not necessary for propagation and take up to seven years to bloom! So, let the leaves remain, but remove the withered flower stems.
Aftercare and Feeding
Right after flowering is an ideal time to feed daffodils with a low-phosphorus fertilizer to help the bulb recover. Choose a fast-acting formula and dissolve it in water to apply around the base of the plant.
When Daffodils Bloom Less
If your daffodils have produced fewer or smaller flowers despite good care, the bulbs may have formed many offsets that now compete for water and nutrients. In this case, dig up the clumps with a garden fork in late summer and divide the bulbs. Replant them in new spots and water them well—this helps them establish strong roots in time for next spring.
From Pot to Garden
Potted daffodils are a popular springtime gift, but don’t throw them out once they’re done blooming! You can plant the bulbs in your garden in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Again, remove the faded blooms and plant the bulbs much deeper than they were in their gift pot—about twice the bulb’s height is a good rule for planting depth. This way, you’ll enjoy their cheerful trumpets again next year.
