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When to Plant Daffodils in Alaska

Deer-proof, squirrel-proof, and virtually indestructible. Daffodils naturalize and multiply, coming back bigger each year.

The Short Answer

Daffodils are planted in fall in Alaska, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Aug 20 - Sep 10 in Interior Alaska.

Alaska Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Alaska you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Interior Alaska 1a, 2a, 2b May 15 - Jun 1 Aug 20 - Sep 10
Southcentral Alaska 3b, 4a, 4b May 1 - May 20 Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southeast Alaska 5a, 5b, 6a Apr 15 - May 5 Sep 25 - Oct 15

Daffodils Planting Schedule for Alaska

Interior Alaska (Zones 1a, 2a, 2b)

Average last frost: May 15 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Aug 20 - Sep 10

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southcentral Alaska (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southeast Alaska (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: Apr 15 - May 5 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 15

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Daffodils in Alaska

Daffodils in Alaska's Climate

Your cold winters provide perfect chilling for daffodils. Plant bulbs in September-October and enjoy reliable spring bloom for decades. Daffodils are the most worry-free spring bulb — squirrels and deer leave them alone (the bulbs are toxic), and they multiply each year. One planting truly lasts a lifetime in cold climates.

Soil Considerations for Alaska

Varies widely. Interior has permafrost challenges. Raised beds essential for warming soil. Highly acidic soils common.

Alaska Climate & Growing Season

Extreme daylight variation. Summer days of 18-24 hours of sunlight accelerate growth. Very short growing season in interior. Daffodils can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Alaska's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Alaska: Interior Alaska (1a, 2a, 2b) has a last frost around May 15 - Jun 1, while Southeast Alaska (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around Apr 15 - May 5. This difference matters for daffodils — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Let foliage die back naturally after blooming — it feeds next year's flowers. Plant at 3x the bulb's height deep.

Companion Planting

Plant daffodils alongside these companions for better growth:

Tulips Hyacinths Grape Hyacinths

The Bottom Line

Daffodils can be grown successfully across Alaska, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Interior Alaska gardeners should plan around a May 15 - Jun 1 last frost, while those in Southeast Alaska can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Daffodils Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Alaska Planting Calendar All plants for Alaska Daffodils in Alabama Alabama planting dates Daffodils in Arizona Arizona planting dates Daffodils in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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