How to Repot Narcissus Bulbs

Growing narcissus in containers produces beautiful displays of spring flowers.

Narcissus bulbs are available in a variety of colors and types, from daffodils to paperwhites. These flowering bulbs usually bloom in early spring while the weather is still cool. Depending on the cultivar, narcissus plants reach 6 to 20 inches tall and the blossom size ranges from 1 to 5 inches. Narcissus bulbs survive winter weather in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 4 to 11. Narcissus bulbs are grown in containers when there is little room for a garden or when the growing conditions are not good for planting in the ground.

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Soap
• Water
• Bleach
• Electric drill
• Potting soil
• Peat moss

Instructions

1. Wash your plant pot with soapy water. Rinse the container with a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water. Drill holes in the bottom of the container with an electric drill if drainage is lacking.

2. Remove the narcissus bulbs from storage. Inspect the bulbs for rotting spots and discard the spoiled bulbs. Choose bulbs that are similar in size so the bulbs produce uniform flowers.

3. Mix together equal parts of potting soil and peat moss. Fill the container part-way, up to 6 to 7 inches from the rim with the potting mixture.

4. Place the narcissus bulbs on top of the soil in the container. Space the bulbs about 1 inch apart to create a dramatic flower display. Make sure the pointed ends of the narcissus bulbs are pointing upward. Pack soil around the bulbs to hold them in place.

5. Cover the bulbs with soil and fill the rest of the container stopping within 2 inches of the rim. Pour water in the top of the container until it runs out the bottom. Water the container regularly after the green leaves have poked out of the soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Small flowers like pansies or violets can be planted over top of the narcissus bulbs in the same container. This provides color to the container while the narcissus bulbs are dying back.

• Do not remove the leaves from the narcissus plants after the flowers have died away. The leaves collect sunlight and convert it to energy which is stored in the bulbs. This energy is used next year to produce blossoms.

References

• North Carolina State University: Narcissus: General Information
• University of Arizona: Annuals and Perennials
• Easy to Grow Bulbs.com: Narcissus (Daffodil) Growing Instructions