Daffodils are perfect plants for Spring. They signal a new growing season and when they blossom, you can’t help but smile.
While I love to see daffodils outside in the gardens, I also like to grow them indoors in containers. The flowers have a sweet scent and add interest to any room. I also like to set the containers outside on the patio when entertaining for a floral centerpiece – so pretty!
My favorite daffodil of all is the Peruvian Daffodil. This article shows you how you can grow these plants indoors!
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About This Plant
The Hymenocallis festalis “Peruvian Daffodil” is a perennial bulb with the most interesting white flowers. The flowers have a pale green center with a little bit of yellow. They grow up to 2-feet tall.
The Peruvian Daffodil is a native to the Andes of Peru – hence it’s name. The flowers typically bloom outdoors in late Spring or early Summer and last until Fall. The flowers are very fragrant.
Bulbs that are roughly 2-inch in diameter typically have three blooms per stem. Bulbs that are 3-inch in diameter can have as many as ten blooms per stem. This plant grows very quickly.
When you force the bulbs to grow during the Winter months, they are unlikely to bloom again in the Spring. When the flowers have died off and the green stalks have wilted, you can remove the bulb from the container and store in a dry area to force grow again the following year. Be careful when removing the bulbs from the soil so you don’t disturb the roots too much.
The bulbs of this flower are toxic to children and animals.
How to Plant Indoors
To enjoy the Peruvian Daffodils indoors, you can force the bulbs inside.
What You Will Need:
- Pot, Planter, or Large Glass Cylinder Vase (I like to use tall glass vases, as the bulbs have fairly deep roots)
- Pebbles or Small Stones
- Potting Soil (I like to use a cactus/succulent mix)
- Peruvian Daffodil Bulbs
What You Do:
- Place a 1″ layer of pebbles or small stones at the bottom of your planter – this allows room for drainage and is especially important if your pot or vase doesn’t have drainage holes
- Add a 3″ minimum layer of potting soil on top the pebbles – a layer this thick allows room for the bulb to grow
- Place one of the flower bulbs on top the soil with the pointed end facing up
- Add another 3″ minimum layer of potting soil around the bulb – if the bulb has not begun to sprout yet, make sure to cover the bulb completely; if the bulb has already sprouted, it’s okay to leave that portion of the plant uncovered
- Water the soil to ensure enough moisture for the bulb
- Place your pot or vase in a sunny window and wait for the plant to grow and flower!
- Make sure to keep the plant watered weekly to keep the soil moist (but not soggy)
Where to Buy
You can purchase bulbs online at HomeDepot for $14.98 for a 3-pack, or online at DaylilyNursery on Etsy for $12.95 for 2 bareroot bulbs.
Here are photos of this year’s bulbs getting planted. I’ll share more photos here when they start to blossom!
