Bulb

When to Plant Daffodils in Kansas

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 Kansas, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Oct 1 - Oct 15 in Northern Kansas.

Kansas Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Kansas 5b, 6a Apr 20 - May 5 Oct 1 - Oct 15
Central Kansas 6a, 6b Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Kansas 6b, 7a Apr 1 - Apr 15 Oct 15 - Nov 1

Daffodils Planting Schedule for Kansas

Northern Kansas (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: Apr 20 - May 5 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 15

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Central Kansas (Zones 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southern Kansas (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 1 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Daffodils in Kansas

Daffodils in Kansas's Climate

Daffodils are your best long-term spring bulb investment. Plant in October-November. Your cold winters provide excellent chilling, and the moderate spring extends bloom duration. Unlike tulips, which decline after a few years, daffodils multiply and return stronger annually.

Soil Considerations for Kansas

Prairie soils in east — rich and deep. More alkaline and thinner soils in west. Wind erosion can be an issue.

Kansas Climate & Growing Season

Hot summers with strong winds. Severe thunderstorms and hail risk. Drier in the west. Good growing conditions for heat-loving crops. Daffodils can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Kansas's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Kansas: Northern Kansas (5b, 6a) has a last frost around Apr 20 - May 5, while Southern Kansas (6b, 7a) sees frost end around Apr 1 - Apr 15. 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 Kansas, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Kansas gardeners should plan around a Apr 20 - May 5 last frost, while those in Southern Kansas 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 Kansas Planting Calendar All plants for Kansas Daffodils in Alabama Alabama planting dates Daffodils in Alaska Alaska 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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