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When to Plant Daffodils in Tennessee

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 Tennessee, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Oct 10 - Oct 25 in East Tennessee.

Tennessee Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
East Tennessee 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Middle Tennessee 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 15 - Nov 1
West Tennessee 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5

Daffodils Planting Schedule for Tennessee

East Tennessee (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Middle Tennessee (Zones 6b, 7a)

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

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

West Tennessee (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Daffodils in Tennessee

Daffodils in Tennessee'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 Tennessee

Clay soils over limestone in Middle Tennessee. Rich river bottom soils in west. Rocky mountain soils in east.

Tennessee Climate & Growing Season

Mild four-season climate. Hot, humid summers. Adequate rainfall. Good growing season for wide variety of crops. Daffodils can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Tennessee's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Tennessee: East Tennessee (6a, 6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 25, while West Tennessee (7a, 7b) sees frost end around Mar 25 - Apr 10. 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 Tennessee, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. East Tennessee gardeners should plan around a Apr 5 - Apr 25 last frost, while those in West Tennessee 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 Tennessee Planting Calendar All plants for Tennessee 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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