Daffodils (Narcissus) are resilient perennial spring flowers that return reliably to the garden. While these bulbs are long-lived, they eventually multiply and become overcrowded, which reduces blooming performance. Timing the relocation is important for success, as it directly impacts the plant’s ability to store energy for next season’s flowers.
Signs Your Daffodils Need Division
The primary motivation for replanting daffodils is overcrowding, which happens naturally as bulbs produce offsets, or smaller daughter bulbs. A dense clump competes heavily for soil nutrients, moisture, and root space. This often leads to “blooming blind,” where plants produce plentiful foliage but few or no flowers. This decline in bloom quality indicates the bulbs are struggling and should be divided to rejuvenate the colony. Replanting may also be necessary to relocate bulbs due to landscaping changes or to expand the display to other garden areas.
The Best Time for Transplanting Bulbs
The ideal time to replant daffodils is during a narrow window in late spring or early summer, after the flowers have faded but while the foliage is still partially green. This timing is dictated by the plant’s physiological need to store energy for the following year’s bloom. After the flower dies, the leaves photosynthesize for six to eight weeks, converting sunlight into carbohydrates stored in the bulb. This “ripening” phase is required for successful flower bud formation; removing green foliage too early results in a weak or absent bloom the next spring. The best moment for replanting is when the leaves have started to turn yellow and flop over, indicating the energy transfer is complete and the bulbs are entering summer dormancy.
How to Dig, Divide, and Replant Daffodils
Once the foliage has begun to yellow, carefully lift the bulbs from the soil. Insert a garden fork or spade several inches away from the clump to avoid slicing the bulbs, which can invite rot and disease. Gently lift the entire clump and shake off excess soil to reveal the individual bulbs. Leaving the yellowing foliage attached helps locate all the bulbs and provides a natural handle for lifting.
After the bulbs are out of the ground, clean and inspect them. Discard any bulbs that are soft, mushy, or show signs of disease. Separate healthy bulbs by gently twisting or pulling the smaller offset bulbs away from the main parent bulb. For immediate replanting, prepare the new site with well-draining soil, placing the bulbs at a depth two to three times their height. Spacing the bulbs three to six inches apart prevents immediate overcrowding and ensures adequate air circulation.
Care Immediately Following Replanting
Immediately after the bulbs are settled, thoroughly water the soil to eliminate air pockets and help it settle around the roots. Adequate moisture is important until the ground freezes, helping the transplanted bulbs establish a new root system. The remaining yellowed foliage must be left intact to wither naturally, completing the final energy transfer to the bulb. Following division, bulbs may experience transplant shock, often resulting in a less robust bloom or no bloom the following spring. This temporary setback occurs because the bulbs prioritize re-establishing root systems before dedicating energy to flower production.