Crocus vs. Daffodil: What Is the Difference?

Written by Heather Hall
Updated: August 22, 2023
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Crocus vs. Daffodil: Key Points

  • Daffodils and crocuses both grow from underground bulbs. They are both spring-flowering plants with showy blooms.
  • The key differences between these two plants are their flower shape, height, and color. They also have slight differences in scent and planting depth.
  • These two flowers come from different plant families. Daffodils are related to Amaryllis. Crocuses are related to Lilies.

Crocuses and daffodils are both flowering plants that have an underground bulb. Both plants have showy blooms in colors such as yellow, white, pink, purple, and orange. They also generally bloom during spring. Additionally, both crocuses and daffodils have long-lasting flowers which can last up to a few weeks before they start fading away. Despite their similarities, there are some key differences between these two popular garden flowers that set them apart from each other. We will discuss each of those differences in detail below.

Comparing Crocus vs. Daffodil

Crocuses of purple and yellow

Crocuses feature natural insulation that allows them to withstand colder weather.

©Spitzi-Foto/Shutterstock.com

The most obvious difference between a crocus and a daffodil is their appearance. Crocuses are usually small, with delicate purple, white, or yellow petals. Daffodils, on the other hand, have larger flowers with bright yellow petals surrounding an orange-yellow center. In terms of blooming time, crocuses typically bloom earlier in the spring than do daffodils – often before the snow has melted completely.

On the other hand, daffodils generally start to bloom later in spring but can last longer into summer if they’re well taken care of. When it comes to planting them in your garden, you should note that while both plants prefer sunny spots in soil that drains well and is rich in organic matter, daffodils tend to be more tolerant of wet conditions than crocuses, so they may be better suited for gardens prone to flooding or heavy rainfalls.

CharacteristicDaffodilCrocus
Size12-30 inches tall4-8 inches tall
Flower ShapeTrumpet-shapedCup-shaped
Flower Colorwhite, yellow, orange, pink, bicolorPurple, orange, and white
Bloom TimeMarch, April, and MaySpring-flowering varieties bloom in January, February, and March
Scientific NameNarcissus. Plant family Amaryllis.Crocus. Plant family Lily.
ScentMany are scented. Honey and orangeFew are scented. Floral and jasmine
Planting depth4-6 inches deep2-3 inches deep
SoilWell-draining, rich, and loamy, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0Well-draining, rich, and loamy, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0
When to PlantPlant in the fall, from October to December.Plant spring-flowering varieties in the fall from September to November.

Crocus vs. Daffodil: Key Differences

The key difference between daffodils and crocus plants is the size, flower shape, and flower color. Daffodils are typically larger than crocuses. Additionally, their flower shapes differ; daffodil flowers have a trumpet shape, while crocus flowers are shaped like stars or cups. Finally, their flower colors also vary greatly; daffodils can be white, yellow, orange, and even bicolor, while crocuses usually come in shades of purple and white.

Appearance

The height of crocuses and daffodils can vary depending on the variety, but generally, daffodils tend to be taller than crocuses. Daffodils typically reach heights between 12-30 inches, while crocus flowers are usually no more than 4-5 inches tall.

When it comes to color, both varieties have a wide range of choices, with different shades available for each one. Crocus flowers typically come in shades of purple or white with hints of yellow at the center. Daffodils offer a wider array of colors, including yellows, oranges, whites, and bi-colored varieties that feature two tones within the same bloom.

Overall when comparing the appearance between these two springtime favorites, you will find that they differ greatly in size as well as color and scent options available – making them unique additions to your garden regardless of which one you choose!

Crocus vs. Daffodil: Flower Shape

Small-Cupped daffodils (Narcissus) Aflame

The heirloom daffodil ‘Aflame’ is a stunning bicolor variety with white petals and firey red-orange cups.

©Sergey V Kalyakin/Shutterstock.com

The daffodil plant is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant. It typically has long, thin leaves and grows to around one to three feet in height. The flower consists of six petals which are divided into two sets of three – a trumpet-shaped inner corona surrounded by an outer circle of slightly larger petals. The flowers come in various colors, including yellow, white, and pink.

In comparison, the crocus is much smaller than the daffodil, with the typical stem only growing up to 4 inches tall. The flowers are shaped like a cup, and the stems of the crocus remain underground, allowing only the showy flower to appear. Crocuses also come in various colors, such as purple, white, or orange.

Bloom Time

Crocus flowers bloom in late winter or early spring, usually beginning in February and continuing into April. Daffodil flowers typically bloom a little later than crocuses, with the blooming season ranging from March to May. The exact blooming period may vary slightly depending on the region and the particular variety of flowers grown. There are both early varieties of daffodils that bloom in March and late varieties that bloom in May. If you plan carefully, you can bloom daffodils in your garden for three solid months.

There are both spring flowering and fall flowering crocuses. The Spring-flowering varieties tend to bloom earlier in the year than Daffodils. They typically flower from February to April, depending on your climate zone. Fall-flowering Crocuses usually bloom around August or September and last until October or November. Depending on where you live, you may find that one type of crocus is more suitable for your garden than the other. You should also consider the amount of sunlight each variety needs – some prefer full sun while others need shade – before deciding which type is best for you.

Crocus vs. Daffodil: Scientific Name

The scientific name for daffodil is Narcissus pseudonarcissus, while the scientific name for crocus is Crocus species. Crocus is a member of the Iris family, while daffodils are members of the Amaryllis family. While both are flowers, they are not the same flower.

Daffodils have trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of yellow and white with a cup-like center, while crocuses typically have six petals that can be any color from yellow to purple, depending on the species.

Crocus vs. Daffodil: Growth Requirements

Purple crocuses in the gras

The crocus flower can reach 8 to 12 inches high.

©sanddebeautheil/Shutterstock.com

To successfully grow daffodils and crocuses, one must know the different growth requirements for each type of flower. The ideal soil pH level for both flowers is 6-7, which can be achieved by adding lime to acidic soils or sulfur to alkaline soils. Both require full sun and well-drained soil that is slightly sandy in texture.

Keep the bulb at least 4-6 inches deep when planting daffodils, whereas crocuses should only be planted 2-3 inches deep. Additionally, they both prefer cooler temperatures, so you may want to consider a shady location if you live in an area with hot summers or cold winters. Finally, ensure your plants are fertilized regularly—once every two weeks during spring and summer—with a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for flowering bulbs such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5. Following these simple steps will help ensure healthy blooms come spring!

Scent

When it comes to scent, the differences between crocuses and daffodils are quite clear. Many varieties of daffodils have a sweet fragrance that is often described as being reminiscent of honey or orange blossoms. Some cultivars of daffodils may be more fragrant than others, but all generally share this same scent profile.

On the other hand, not all crocuses have a scent. Many cultivars have been bred specifically for their lack of smell in order to make them suitable for indoor cultivation. However, depending on the variety, some varieties possess a lightly floral aroma ranging from jasmine-like to sweet and spicy.

Crocus vs. Daffodil: When to Plant

Miniature Yellow Daffodils

Miniature Yellow Daffodils.

©StephenVanHove/Shutterstock.com

Spring-flowering crocus bulbs should be planted in the early fall, usually around September or October. Fall-flowering crocus plants need to be planted in summer. Plant them in well-drained soil and aim for an area with full sun or partial shade. Daffodil bulbs should be planted a bit later than crocuses, generally during autumn months such as November or December. Daffodils can tolerate more moisture than crocuses and prefer a sunny spot but will also do fine in areas of partial shade. When planting either type of bulb, make sure to dig deep enough so that it is beneath the frost line. This helps protect against winter freezing temperatures which can damage flowers before they bloom.

The photo featured at the top of this post is ©


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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