10 white daffodils

White daffodils include trumpet types like ‘Mount Hood’, doubles like ‘White Lion’ and ‘Snowball’, and small, fragrant types like ‘Silver Chimes’. They grow the same way as yellow daffodils. Plant the bulbs in fall in full sun and well-drained soil. Deer and rabbits leave them alone. Here are 12 white daffodils, with height, bloom time, and hardiness for each one. Learn more about daffodil varieties.

1. Mount Hood daffodil

‘Mount Hood’ is a classic white trumpet daffodil from 1938. Chicago Botanic Garden describes the trumpet this way: “It opens light yellow and matures to white.” The petals are broad and white. It grows well in containers, and deer leave it alone.

Light	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Height	16″-20″
Blossom Size	4″
Hardiness Zone	4 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid-spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

2. White Lion daffodil

‘White Lion’ is a double daffodil with rounded white outer petals and a ruffled center of white and soft yellow. The stems are thick and sturdy, so it works well in cut flower arrangements.

The flowers have a sweet fragrance.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	12″-24″
Blossom Size	5″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid-spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

3. Stainless daffodil

‘Stainless’ has the classic daffodil shape, but the petals and cup are all white. It stands out in a colorful bed, and the white flowers show up well in an evening garden.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	18″-20″
Blossom Size	4″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid to late spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

4. Falmouth Bay daffodil

‘Falmouth Bay’ is a white daffodil with rounded, overlapping petals. The center of the flower has a hint of green.

Light	Full sun, Part Shade
Height	20″-24″
Blossom Size	5″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid-spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

5. Snowball daffodil

‘Snowball’ is a double daffodil. The inner petals cluster and fold over each other in a round, snowball shape. It grows in sandy loam or clay soils.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	14″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid to late spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

6. Royal China daffodil

‘Royal China’ is a large-cupped daffodil with round, full white petals. The cup is rimmed with soft pink. It blooms in mid-spring.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	16″-24″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid-spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

7. Silver Chimes daffodil

‘Silver Chimes’ is a tazetta daffodil with several small flowers on each stem. The Royal Horticultural Society describes “fragrant, creamy-white and pale yellow flowers with a small, ribbed cup.” It blooms later in spring than most white daffodils. The RHS notes that it “needs a warm sunny spot in light soil to perform best.” It also grows well in containers.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	Up to 14″
Blossom Size	1 to 2″
Hardiness Zone	Hardy to about 5°F (-15°C)
Bloom Time	Late spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

8. Arctic Bells daffodil

‘Arctic Bells’ is a hoop petticoat daffodil. It has a wide, flared trumpet and thin, small outer petals, so each bloom looks like a bell. The flowers are pale cream, and they bloom from early to mid-spring.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	6″-8″
Blossom Size	1″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Early to mid-spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

9. White Favorite daffodil

‘White Favorite’ is a double white daffodil that blooms in mid-spring. The outer petals open first, then the ruffled inner petals unfurl.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	16″
Blossom Size	3″-4″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 9
Bloom Time	Mid-spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

10. Easter Born daffodil

‘Easter Born’ is a double daffodil with white outer petals and a ruffled center of white and pale yellow. It blooms from mid to late spring. Plant it in containers or in groups near trees and shrubs.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	18″
Blossom Size	4″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Mid to late spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

11. Ice Baby daffodil

‘Ice Baby’ is a small daffodil with slim outer petals and a long, slender trumpet, which gives each bloom a star shape. The flowers open pale yellow-green and turn white.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	10″-12″
Blossom Size	2″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Very early spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

12. Rose of May daffodil

‘Rose of May’ is an old double daffodil with all-white, ruffled petals and no trumpet. The flowers look more like old-fashioned roses than daffodils. It grows in clay, loam, or sand and blooms late in spring.

Light	Full sun, Part shade
Height	12″-14″
Blossom Size	3″
Hardiness Zone	3 to 8
Bloom Time	Late Spring
Soil Requirement	Well-draining
Deer Resistant	Yes

How to grow white daffodils

White daffodils need the same care as yellow ones. Plant them in a spot with full sun. Iowa State University Extension says that if shade is too dense, move them “to an area that gets at least six hours a day of direct sunlight.” Pick well-drained soil, since daffodil bulbs rot in wet ground.

Plant the bulbs in fall, with the pointed end up. Iowa State University Extension advises that “most daffodils should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep and 6 inches apart.” Plant small types such as ‘Ice Baby’ and ‘Arctic Bells’ 4 to 6 inches deep. Water after planting.

After the flowers fade, leave the leaves in place until they turn brown. The leaves feed the bulb for next year’s flowers. Do not braid or tie them. See more bulbs to plant in fall if you want to pair your daffodils with other spring flowers.

White daffodil FAQs

What is the most popular white daffodil?

‘Mount Hood’ is one of the best-known white daffodils. It is a trumpet type that opens light yellow and turns white.

When do I plant white daffodil bulbs?

Plant them in fall, about 6 to 8 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Plant small types 4 to 6 inches deep.

Are white daffodils deer resistant?

Yes. Daffodil bulbs are toxic, and deer and rabbits do not eat them.

Are there fragrant white daffodils?

Yes. ‘Silver Chimes’ is a fragrant tazetta type, and ‘White Lion’ has a sweet scent.