Repotting guide

When & how to repot Angel's Tears Narcissus (Narcissus triandrus)

Also called Angel's Tears, Angel's Tears Narcissus, Triandrus Daffodil.

More about angel's tears narcissus

About Angel's Tears Narcissus

Narcissus triandrus · also called Angel's Tears, Angel's Tears Narcissus · flowering

Narcissus triandrus is a graceful, nodding miniature daffodil bearing 2–6 pendant white or pale-yellow flowers per stem, with reflexed petals and a rounded cup. Native to rocky scrub and meadows in Iberia and northwest France, it is the parent of Division 5 triandrus hybrids. Plant in free-draining, gritty soil in a sunny or lightly shaded spot.

Mature size: 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall; individual flowers 2–3 cm (1 in) wide

Watch for — Failure to establish in heavy clay: Plants often fail to return in subsequent seasons in clay soils, even if they flower in the first year. Always amend planting spots heavily with coarse grit and incorporate organic matter to open up structure before planting.

How to tell angel's tears narcissus needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For angel's tears narcissus, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot angel's tears narcissus

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Angel's Tears Narcissus's growth habit — bulbous perennial; clump-forming, naturalizing in suitable conditions — sets the pace. Narcissus triandrus is a graceful, nodding miniature daffodil bearing 2–6 pendant white or pale-yellow flowers per stem, with reflexed petals and a rounded cup. Native to rocky scrub and meadows in Iberia and northwest France, it is the parent of Division 5 triandrus hybrids. Plant in free-draining, gritty soil in a sunny or lightly shaded spot.

What size pot to step angel's tears narcissus up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Angel's Tears Narcissus stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot angel's tears narcissus

Spring or summer, while angel's tears narcissus is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting angel's tears narcissus

Repot dry. Do not water angel's tears narcissus for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, sharply draining, sandy or stony soil ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set angel's tears narcissus at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep angel's tears narcissus completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for angel's tears narcissus

Angel's Tears Narcissus wants gritty, sharply draining, sandy or stony soil. Naturally grows in rocky, nutrient-poor, acidic to neutral soils. Excellent drainage is critical — more so than for common daffodils. Use a mix of loam and 40% horticultural grit in containers. Does not tolerate heavy, moisture-retentive soils. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting angel's tears narcissus — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot angel's tears narcissus?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for angel's tears narcissus. Repot angel's tears narcissus every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, sharply draining, sandy or stony soil, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does angel's tears narcissus need?

When is the best time of year to repot angel's tears narcissus?

Should you water angel's tears narcissus after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot angel's tears narcissus into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise angel's tears narcissus after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting angel's tears narcissus. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.