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Angel's-Tears (Narcissus triandrus), whole plant
  • Angel's-Tears — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Angel's-Tears — seasonal appearance
  • Angel's-Tears in a garden setting

Angel's-Tears

Narcissus triandrus

Medium · Some experience

About Angel's-Tears

Angel's Tears Daffodil is a graceful species narcissus from Spain and Portugal producing clusters of nodding reflexed-petaled flowers in creamy white or pale yellow. Each stem bears 2-6 blooms that dance in the spring breeze. Growing 8-12 inches tall, it is the parent of the popular Triandrus Hybrid class. A refined choice for American rock gardens and naturalized woodland edges in USDA zones 4-9.

  • Fragrant
  • Deer-resistant
  • Cold-hardy
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Part shade
2–4 hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)
USDA hardiness zones 5–8

How to care for Angel's-Tears

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)
  • Spread0.2–0.3 ft (0.1–0.1 m)
  • Flower colorWhite, Cream, Yellow
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilWell-drained, Loamy, Neutral
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Apr

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

Nodding white or pale yellow clusters April

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a mild sweet 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 Narcissus as toxic to pets.

Moderate

  • Bulb
  • Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating bulbs.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiac arrhythmia.

NOTE ASPCA lists Narcissus as toxic to pets.

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

DISTRIBUTION

Angel's-Tears · Native
  • Native
  • Introduced
  • Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Angel's-Tears

Narcissus triandrus grows wild in open woodlands and heathlands of Portugal, Spain, and southwestern France on acidic soils. Linnaeus described it in 1753 referencing the three stamens (Greek treis + aner) in some forms, though flowers typically have six. The species has multiple pendant nodding flowers per stem with distinctively reflexed perianth segments and short cup.

English writer Edward Salisbury popularized the poetic common name angel's tears based on a Portuguese legend. Breeders including Guy Wilson of Northern Ireland used it to produce the Triandrus Group—characterized by nodding clusters and swept-back petals—recognized as Division 5 in the RHS Daffodil Classification. Classic cultivars include 'Thalia' (1916, pure white) and 'Hawera'.

The species and its hybrids remain among the most elegantly formed daffodils. First described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753 from Spanish populations. These are staples of American shade and woodland garden plantings, offering refined beauty where larger daffodils seem coarse.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Angel's-Tears wears grace in elegantly swept-back petals, as if each flower were leaning into a quiet wind only it can feel. Its Gentleness is carried in delicate nodding clusters, two or three small bells per stem, never insistent on attention. Among the loud trumpets of other narcissi, it speaks in a softer, almost confiding voice.

  • Grace — elegant swept-back petals
  • Gentleness — delicate nodding clusters

Where the Name Comes From

'Triandrus' means 'three-stamened', though many flowers in fact have six stamens.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Nodding multiple-flowered daffodils with reflexed petals
  • Compact bulbs ideal for forcing in pots
  • Delicate stems add charm to spring posies

Related plants

More Narcissus plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Angel's-Tears?

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

How much light does Angel's-Tears need?

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

Is Angel's-Tears 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 Angel's-Tears easy to grow?

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

When does Angel's-Tears bloom?

It typically blooms Apr in the Northern Hemisphere.

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