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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Narcissus poeticus is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Emetic Homeopathy Irritant

The bulb is powerfully emetic and irritant[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the bulb[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers. 500kg of the flowers yields 1kg concrete, 300gr absolute of the essential oil[46, 61].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep rather stiff soil but succeeds in most soils and situations[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Easily grown in a moist soil, doing well in grass[90] but it is slow to establish[188]. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°c[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it is sometimes shy to flower[90]. The flowers are powerfully scented[245].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. A short stratification will improve the germination of stored seed. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be left undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Give them an occasional liquid feed in the growing season to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. When the plants become dormant in the summer, pot up the small bulbs placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another one or two years in the greenhouse before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer. Division of bulbs after the leaves die down in early summer[1]. Larger bulbs can be replanted immediately into their permanent positions, or can be stored in a cool place and then be planted out in the autumn. It is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year before planting them out when dormant in the autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Moldova, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, France

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Anemone narcissiflora	Narcissus-Flowered Anemone, Narcissus anemone	Perennial	0.6	3-7	LMH	SN	M	1	0
Narcissus jonquilla	Jonquil	Bulb	0.3	4-8	LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Narcissus pseudonarcissus	Wild Daffodil, Daffodil	Bulb	0.5	4-8	LMH	SN	M	0	2	1
Narcissus tazetta	Bunchflower Daffodil, Cream narcissus	Bulb	0.5	7-10	LMH	N	M	0	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Narcissus poeticus - L.