Flower Spotlight: Daffodils

A Little Sunshine for Your Home

Daffodils are one of the flowers that always hold a special place in my heart and they are one of my top perennial flower recommendations. After the long, gray days of winter, there’s something so uplifting about seeing them bloom, bright and cheerful, in the spring. Their vibrant yellow petals are a reminder that better days are ahead, and the good news is, with just a little care, you can enjoy their beauty far longer than you might expect.

Harvesting Daffodils: The Right Way to Keep the Beauty Going

The key to making the most of daffodils lies in harvesting them at just the right moment. I’ve found that the best time to pick them is before they fully open, when they’re in the "goose-neck" stage. You’ll know this moment has arrived when the bud is bent at a 90-degree angle, but the flower is still closed and showing all its beautiful color. If you pick them once they’re more open, the flowers will still be beautiful, but they won’t last as long in a vase.

Harvest daffodils at this goose-neck stage.

Harvesting Tip: Keep It Simple

Harvesting daffodils is a hands-on job—literally! You don’t need any scissors or tools. Just gently pinch the base of the flower and pull it up from the stem. This will give you the longest stem possible, and you’ll also reduce the sap. It’s a simple process, but it helps keep the flowers fresh and looking their best.

Storing Your Daffodils: Enjoy Their Beauty Longer

Once you’ve gathered your daffodils, it’s all about how you store them to enjoy them for as long as possible.

In Water: For flowers you want to arrange right away, just pop them in a vase with water. A cool, shaded spot works best, and if you want to extend their life a little more, you can store them in the fridge away from produce.

Dry Storage: If you’ve picked them in the “goose-neck” stage, you can actually store them dry. Place them in a dark, cool area (again, your fridge is a great option), and they’ll last for weeks. I always store mine upright, as this helps protect the delicate buds. It’s a wonderful way to keep the joy of daffodils with you for even longer.

Arranging Daffodils: Bring a Little Spring Inside

I love to mix different varieties together in a simple vase, but you can also get creative and combine them with other flowers—just be cautious. Daffodils release a sap that can be harmful to other flowers. If you’re mixing flowers, be sure to trim the stems first and let them sit in water for a few hours to let the sap drain. Change the water before you create your mixed arrangement, and it will help keep all the flowers fresh.

One small tip I always follow: I like to remove the papery "collar" (called a spathe) around the daffodil’s stem before arranging them. It’s a small detail, but I think it helps to not distract from the bright color.

How Many Daffodils Should You Use?

The great thing about daffodils is there’s no wrong answer! I love to have a few vases around the house with just a couple of stems, adding cheerful pops of color to each room. But if you’re feeling like creating something fuller, go for it!

I always divide my daffodils between fresh arrangements and storage, so I can continue to spread the joy. One of my absolute favorite things to do is pick a bunch and gift them to friends and family—it’s such a simple yet meaningful way to share a little sunshine.

Welcome, Spring! Daffodils bring cheer following the gray days of winter.

If you’ve been thinking about planting daffodils, I’d love to chat with you more about them when you visit the farm. Talking about gardening is almost as enjoyable as gardening itself.