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When to plant daffodils in London: 24 October – end of December

In London, daffodil: plant from 24 October to the end of December. For planting stock, the places nearby include World's End Nurseries (plant nursery, 5 km) and Help The Claimer Ltd. (farm supply, 5 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 average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Daffodil in London: soil, season and weather

No month averages below 0 °C at night; the coldest nights, in January, average 1.9 °C.

Planting24 October – end of December
First autumn frost23 November
Coldest nightsJanuary, 1.9 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring2 February
Daylight10:11 on 24 October
Daylight at the winter solstice7:50

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

Daffodil in London: 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, 24 October.

In London the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 24 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 London, Coventry is 6 days earlier and Brighton 8 days later.

CityDistanceDateDifference
Brighton76 kmby 1 November8 days later
Cambridge79 km25 October – end of December1 day later
Ipswich108 km30 October – end of December6 days later
Coventry138 km18 October – end of December6 days earlier
Norwich158 km29 October – end of December5 days later
Birmingham162 km20 October – end of December4 days earlier

Where to buy daffodil for planting in London

Planting stock goes into the ground from 24 October to the end of December; buy it before that. Within 15 km of London OpenStreetMap lists 50 garden centres, 1 farm-supply shop, 11 plant nurseries, 130 markets and 13 farm shops (collected 7 October 2026).

Places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Questions

When to plant daffodils in London?

In London, daffodil: plant from 24 October to the end of 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 London?

Last spring frost around 4 April, first autumn frost around 23 November.

Other crops in London, with their dates