Cold hardiness

Future

2050

2100

These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.

Now

Zone 6b

USDA

Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.

Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer

Well-suited

2050

Zone 7a

Plotwright

Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).

Well-suited

In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.

✓

Well-suited today and still thriving in 2050.

Heat tolerance

Future

2050

2100

Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.

Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...

Where this plant fits

Suitable across 40 ecoregions — 35 climate-resilient through 2070 · 5 suited today. Best matches first.

Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests

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Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests

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Arizona Mountains forests

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Blue Mountains forests

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Canadian Aspen forests and parklands

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Central Pacific Northwest coastal forests

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Central Tallgrass prairie

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Central-Southern Cascades Forests

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Colorado Rockies forests

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Cross-Timbers savanna-woodland

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What it needs

Conditions

Light

Full sun / Part shade

Water

Moderate water

Spacing

6"

Habit

Clump-forming bulbous perennial with leafless flowering stems above strap-shaped foliage

Care tips

•

Plant bulbs in fall, 2-3x as deep as the bulb is tall, in well-drained soil — soggy ground rots them.

•

Let foliage yellow and die back naturally before cutting; cutting green leaves starves next year's bloom.

•

A reliable deer- and rabbit-resistant choice: every part is toxic, so browsers leave it alone.

Lifecycle

Planting

Plant bulbs in early to mid fall in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade; good drainage is essential and organically rich loams are best. Plant each bulb 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb (at least 3 inches of soil over the top) — most bulbs end up 3-6 inches deep — and space 4-10 inches apart (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder).

Transplanting

Bulbs can be left undisturbed for years. If bloom quality and quantity decline, divide clumps by digging just after the foliage dies back, then replant at depth.

Early growth

Keep soil uniformly moist during the growing season; drought is tolerated while the bulb is dormant. Position any shade at the rear of the planting because flowers face the sun.

Maturity

After spring bloom, the top of each flower stem may be removed to prevent seed formation, but do NOT cut back foliage until it begins to yellow — the leaves recharge the bulb for next year.

Propagation

Propagate by dividing and replanting offset bulbs after the foliage dies back; hybrids do not come true from seed.

Pollination

Self-fertile

Garden daffodils are grown from bulbs and reproduce reliably by offset division, so a single cultivar will multiply on its own. Spring flowers attract pollinators and butterflies (NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox), but garden hybrids are propagated vegetatively rather than from seed.

Plants don't grow alone

Nectar forage

Bee

European honeybee (Apis mellifera)

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox notes daffodil flowers attract pollinators and provide nectar that is particularly valuable in early spring; honey bees are among the generalist visitors of open early-spring blooms.

For people

Toxic — do not consume

All parts are poisonous, the bulb most of all. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox rates toxicity Medium: toxic only if large quantities are eaten, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, trembling, convulsions (may be fatal), with severe skin irritation / contact dermatitis ("lily rash") from handling bulbs, flowers, and stems. Toxic principle: phenanthridine alkaloids such as lycorine, plus calcium oxalate crystals.

Native range

AHS heat range

1-9

Climate notes

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder lists Narcissus (daffodil) for USDA zones 4 to 8 in full sun to part shade at medium moisture, blooming March to April at 0.5-2.5 feet tall.

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder notes daffodils tolerate rabbit, deer, drought, clay soil, and black walnut, and are noted for being almost pest-free with proper soil and culture; bulb rot may occur in poorly drained soils.

•

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox documents the genus across USDA zones 4a-8b and rates it Medium toxicity to humans — TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN, with severe skin irritation; toxic principle is phenanthridine alkaloids such as lycorine plus calcium oxalate crystals.

In the designer

Growth over time

6-30" tall · 6-12" spread

Naturalized drift; divide if bloom quantity declines.

Design roles: Border · Container · Pollinator

Seasonal interest

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Filled = the plant has seasonal interest · ▾ now = your current season

Daffodil

At a glance

Related products

Why it matters

Cold hardiness

Heat tolerance

Where this plant fits

What it needs

Lifecycle

Pollination

Plants don't grow alone

For people

Native range

Climate notes

In the designer

Seasonal interest

Sources & citations