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When to plant daffodils in Indianapolis: 7 October – 23 December

In Indianapolis, daffodil: plant from 7 October to about 23 December. For planting stock, the places nearby include Grounded Plant + Floral Co. (garden centre, 1 km) and Botanical Bar (garden centre, 2 km); addresses and opening hours are below.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The date is about two weeks before the average daily temperature here falls below 0 °C (ten years of weather): an estimate, not the day the ground freezes, and a cold spell can freeze it earlier. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS, how the ground freezes (NRC Canada, CBD-26).

Daffodil in Indianapolis: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in December–February; the coldest, January, averages -5 °C.

Planting7 October – 23 December
First autumn frost6 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, -5 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring11 March
Daylight11:33 on 7 October
Daylight at the winter solstice9:21

The same dates in Indianapolis hold for Garlic, Tulip, Crocus and Hyacinth.

Daffodil in Indianapolis: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant daffodils three times the bulb’s height deep (RHS): about 13–15 cm for large bulbs, 15–20 cm apart (University of Georgia Extension). The RHS advises planting them early in autumn, ideally in September in the UK, so do not leave them late: aim for the start of the window, 7 October.

In Indianapolis the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 22 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 15–17 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Daffodils are long-lived: clumps slowly expand over the years (RHS). Leave the leaves for at least eight weeks after flowering — they feed next year’s flowers (University of Georgia Extension).

Squirrels avoid daffodils, so they can be planted among tulips to reduce losses (RHS). Daffodils are toxic to dogs, cats and horses; the bulbs are the most poisonous part, and a large amount can cause convulsions and heart rhythm problems (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, University of Georgia Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Daffodil in nearby cities

Around Indianapolis, Fort Wayne is 4 days earlier and Louisville 5 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Cincinnati159 km10 October – end of December3 days later
Fort Wayne169 km3 October – 10 December4 days earlier
Louisville173 km12 October – end of December5 days later
Frankfort207 km4 October – end of December3 days earlier
Evansville233 km11 October – end of December4 days later
Lexington246 km8 October – end of December1 day later

Where to buy daffodil for planting in Indianapolis

Planting stock goes into the ground from 7 October to about 23 December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Indianapolis OpenStreetMap lists 9 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 2 plant nurseries and 4 markets (collected 20 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in Indianapolis?

In Indianapolis, daffodil: plant from 7 October to about 23 December. Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

When is the last spring frost in Indianapolis?

Last spring frost around 14 April, first autumn frost around 6 November.

Other crops in Indianapolis, with their dates