Poet's Narcissus
Narcissus poeticus
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Pl. 18BE — Narcissus poeticus
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IOverview
Overview
Poet's Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus) is a small herbaceous perennial known for its delicate white flowers with golden centers, often blooming in early spring. Native to the Mediterranean and Balkan regions including Albania, Austria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia, this plant thrives in moist, light to heavy soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5. It is valued both for its ornamental appeal and as an edible bulb, making it a versatile addition to gardens and culinary dishes alike. One distinctive feature is its ability to grow in various soil types, from sandy to clay, while another notable characteristic is its light energy rating of 8/10, indicating its preference for moderate sunlight.
Quick answers
What is Poet's Narcissus?
Poet's Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus) is a small herbaceous perennial known for its delicate white flowers with golden centers, often blooming in early spring.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Poet's Narcissus thrives in moist conditions and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. It is hardy in temperate regions from zones 4 to 8. This plant requires partial shade to full sun, making it suitable for gardens that receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. For best results, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Propagate by dividing the bulbs in late summer or early fall. The edible parts are the bulbs, which can be harvested after the plant has flowered and died back.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Poet's Narcissus for the first time
7steps
Start with Poet's Narcissus as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Bulbs, potting soil, container or planting area.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in autumn for spring blooms.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs about 10 cm deep, spaced 15-20 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to avoid rotting the bulb.
- 6
Ongoing care
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize lightly in spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
No need for harvesting; simply remove spent flowers and deadhead as needed.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Bulb
Edible uses: The bulb of the Poet's Narcissus is edible and can be prepared in various ways. Typically, it is harvested and either cooked or eaten raw. The bulbs are often boiled or roasted to enhance their mild flavor before consumption.
Other uses:Essential OilFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
11 native · 19 introduced
Distribution
11 native · 19 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 11 native· 19 introduced
Europe14 regions
native (10)AlbaniaAustriaFranceGreeceHungaryItalyRomaniaSpainSwitzerlandUkraine
introduced (4)BelgiumBulgariaGermanyUnited Kingdom
Asia1 region
introduced (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia
introduced:Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Czechoslovakia, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 18be83e0-396c-4eec-a852-621d0ec37dd6
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