Daffodils make absolutely stunning cut flowers, but growing them in a glass vase is a total game-changer for your home decor. It’s a bit different than just sticking them in dirt, though! In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to care for your bulbs and where to place them so they thrive.
How to Grow Daffodils in a Glass Vase
What You’ll Need
- As many daffodil bulbs as you’d like
- A glass vase (at least 8 inches tall)
- Fine decorative gravel or pebbles (you can find these at any craft store)
- Collected rainwater (or filtered/dechlorinated tap water)
- Liquid bulb fertilizer
- A coffee filter
- Raffia or twine
- Decorative touches (like moss or willow branches)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start by filling your vase with the gravel.
- Now is the best time to arrange any decorative elements inside the glass.
- Use your thumb to press a small indentation into the gravel.
- Place the bulb into the hollow with the pointy side facing up.
- Fill the vase with water just until the surface touches the bottom of the bulb.
Pro Tip: You can definitely plant multiple bulbs in one vase! Just make sure to leave a couple of inches between them to prevent any rot from starting.
Storage and Care
Once your bulbs are tucked in, move the vase to a cool, dark spot. This mimics being underground in a garden and encourages the bulbs to start sprouting.
After about two weeks, it’s time to introduce the young shoots to some light—a sunny windowsill is perfect for this. This is also when you should start changing the water. Do this once a week from here on out to keep things fresh and prevent rot.
Pro Tip: Daffodils are a bit picky about their water. Use filtered water, boiled (and cooled) tap water, or even better, some fresh rainwater from a barrel.
Mixing a little liquid bulb fertilizer into the water will give your plants an extra boost. In about four weeks, your shoots should be fully grown and ready to show off.
Pro Tip: Try placing one bulb right against the edge of the glass. It’s super cool to watch the roots grow and weave through the pebbles!
Moving Your Daffodils to the Garden
One of the best things about growing daffodils in glass is that you can transplant them outside later! Once the flowers have faded, trim off the dry bits and plant the bulbs in your garden. Just make sure the planting hole is about three times as wide as the bulb itself.