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Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil (Narcissus cyclamineus), whole plant
  • Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil — seasonal appearance
  • Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil in a garden setting

Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil

Narcissus cyclamineus

Medium · Some experience

About Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil

Cyclamen-flowered Daffodil is a charming miniature species daffodil from northern Portugal and Spain, with swept-back petals that flip upward like a cyclamen flower, giving a windblown appearance. Just 6-10 inches tall with bright golden-yellow blooms, it is one of the earliest daffodils to flower. A cherished species and parent of many popular miniature cultivars in American gardens, thriving in moist spring and drier summer conditions.

  • Cold-hardy
  • Deer-resistant
  • Compact
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Part shade
2–4 hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -10°F (-23°C)
USDA hardiness zones 6–9

How to care for Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil

Watering

  • Springevery 4 days
  • Summerpause watering
  • Fallevery 10 days
  • Winterpause watering

Soil · Well-draining

  • Main mixLoam + coarse sand 3:175%
  • DrainageGravel25%

Sharp drainage matters most — bulbs rot in wet soil while dormant.

FERTILIZER

Bulb Feed 3-5-3

With bulbs, when matters more than what. One dose goes in the hole at planting, the second when shoots break ground.

N27%P45%K27%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 30 days
  • Fallevery 60 days
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At a Glance

  • NativeEurope
  • Height0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
  • Spread0.5 ft (0.2 m)
  • Flower colorYellow
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Feb–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Golden yellow swept-back flowers February to March

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a mild scent.

Toxicity

Humans Moderate · Pets Moderate

lycorine and narcissine

Moderate

  • Bulb
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating bulbs.

EFFECT Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

NOTE Documented concern for humans: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Moderate

  • Bulb
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating bulbs.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiac arrhythmia.

NOTE ASPCA lists all Narcissus as toxic to dogs and cats. Bulbs most concentrated.

Moderate

  • Bulb
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating bulbs.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiac arrhythmia.

NOTE ASPCA lists all Narcissus as toxic to dogs and cats. Bulbs most concentrated.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil · Native
  • Native
  • Introduced
  • Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil

Narcissus cyclamineus is native to damp meadows and stream margins of northwestern Spain and northern Portugal. It was originally described in 1633 but then considered extinct or mythical for 250 years until rediscovered in Portugal in 1885 by Spanish-born gardener Alfred Tait. Its distinctive swept-back petals resembling Cyclamen flowers gave the species name.

Dutch and English breeders quickly used it for hybridizing: Alec Gray of Cornwall produced the miniature 'Tête-à-Tête' (1949), one of the most popular daffodils ever bred. Other classic cyclamineus hybrids include 'February Gold' (1923) and 'Jetfire' (1966). The Royal Horticultural Society Daffodil Classification Division 6 is devoted to cyclamineus hybrids. Parent of the enormously popular cultivars 'February Gold', 'Jack Snipe', and 'Tête-à-Tête'—the latter the world's best-selling daffodil and a staple in American bulb beds. The species itself remains a choice plant for damp bulb meadows.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil signals new beginnings, among the earliest daffodils to bloom and one of the surest signs that spring has truly begun. Paired with resilience, it was rediscovered after near-extinction in the wild, a quiet conservation triumph. Each flower's swept-back petals seem to lean into the new season — small messengers of spring's return and the species' own.

  • New Beginnings — earliest daffodils signal spring
  • Resilience — rediscovered after near-extinction

Where the Name Comes From

The common name highlights its red coloring. 'Cyclamineus' refers to the resemblance of the reflexed petals to those of a cyclamen.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Swept-back golden petals on six-inch stems for early-spring rock gardens
  • Miniature daffodil for forced bulb pots and trough gardens

Related plants

More Narcissus plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil?

Water about every 4 days during the growing season, and always let excess water drain away.

How much light does Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil need?

Part shade: 2–4 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Moderate (Dogs Moderate · Cats Moderate) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

When does Cyclamen-Flowered Daffodil bloom?

It typically blooms Feb–Mar in the Northern Hemisphere.

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