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When to Plant Daffodils in Oregon

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 Oregon, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Oct 15 - Nov 10 in Willamette Valley.

Oregon Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Willamette Valley 8a, 8b Mar 25 - Apr 15 Oct 15 - Nov 10
Portland Metro 8b, 9a Mar 15 - Apr 5 Oct 25 - Nov 15
Central/Eastern Oregon 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b May 10 - Jun 1 Sep 10 - Oct 1
Southern Oregon Coast 8b, 9a, 9b Mar 5 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 25

Daffodils Planting Schedule for Oregon

Willamette Valley (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 10

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Portland Metro (Zones 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 5 · Average first frost: Oct 25 - Nov 15

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Central/Eastern Oregon (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: May 10 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Oct 1

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southern Oregon Coast (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Mar 5 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 25

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Daffodils in Oregon

Daffodils in Oregon's Climate

Daffodils grow in warm climates but choose varieties with lower chill requirements. Jonquilla and Tazetta types perform better than standard trumpet daffodils in zones 7-8. Plant in November-December. Historic daffodil plantings throughout the South prove the crop's long-term viability — old homesteads often have colonies that have bloomed for 50+ years.

Soil Considerations for Oregon

Rich volcanic soils in Willamette Valley. Dry, alkaline soils east of Cascades. Acidic forest soils on coast. Generally excellent for gardening in valleys.

Oregon Climate & Growing Season

Dramatic east-west climate divide. Wet, mild winters west of Cascades. Dry, cold winters east. Year-round gardening possible in mild western valleys. Daffodils can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Oregon's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Oregon: Willamette Valley (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Southern Oregon Coast (8b, 9a, 9b) sees frost end around Mar 5 - Mar 25. 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 Oregon, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Willamette Valley gardeners should plan around a Mar 25 - Apr 15 last frost, while those in Southern Oregon Coast 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 Oregon Planting Calendar All plants for Oregon 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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