Repotting guide

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

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

More about angel's tears daffodil

About Angel's Tears Daffodil

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

Narcissus triandrus is a delicate miniature daffodil producing nodding, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers with swept-back petals and a rounded cup on slender stems. Native to Iberian rocky meadows, it suits alpine troughs and naturalised grass. All parts are toxic to pets and people, following standard Narcissus toxicity.

Mature size: 15-25 cm tall in flower

How to tell angel's tears daffodil needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For angel's tears daffodil, 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 daffodil

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Angel's Tears Daffodil's growth habit — small bulbous perennial with nodding multi-flowered stems — sets the pace. Narcissus triandrus is a delicate miniature daffodil producing nodding, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers with swept-back petals and a rounded cup on slender stems. Native to Iberian rocky meadows, it suits alpine troughs and naturalised grass. All parts are toxic to pets and people, following standard Narcissus toxicity.

What size pot to step angel's tears daffodil 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 Daffodil 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 daffodil

Spring or summer, while angel's tears daffodil 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 daffodil

Repot dry. Do not water angel's tears daffodil 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 sharply drained, gritty or sandy loam 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 daffodil 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 daffodil 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 daffodil

Angel's Tears Daffodil wants sharply drained, gritty or sandy loam. Plant bulbs 8-10 cm deep in autumn in very free-draining compost. A 50:50 mix of loam-based compost and horticultural grit is ideal for containers. Rich, moisture-retentive soils cause rot during summer dormancy. 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 daffodil — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot angel's tears daffodil?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for angel's tears daffodil. Repot angel's tears daffodil every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sharply drained, gritty or sandy loam, 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 daffodil need?

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

Should you water angel's tears daffodil after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot angel's tears daffodil 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 daffodil after repotting?

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