While daffodils do their best when exposed to full sun, these flowers can survive in partial shade. For the flowers to be healthy and productive, daffodils need to be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 5–6 hours per day.

Depending on the USDA zone determines when daffodil bulbs are planted, which is usually in the autumn. Some species of daffodils bloom late in the winter season or in early spring as long as the plants are in proper soil, receive enough water, and have been exposed to extended time in the sun.

How Many Hours of Sun Do Daffodils Need?
Daffodils are available in thousands of varieties. Each of the species is most productive and generates blooms when they’ve been planted in a sunny spot. Daffodils need ongoing access to bright/direct sunlight in order to propagate and generate blooms. For this to occur, they need to receive full sun for a minimum of 6 hours each day.

• Daffodils need 5–6 hours of direct sun daily.
• Daffodils that don’t receive enough sunshine will not bloom.
• Too much sun can cause dry soil that affects the plant’s growth.

When planted in a partially shady location, daffodils will continue to grow, flourish, and produce leaves. Unfortunately, while your plant may look healthy with its new growth, it will most likely not produce blooms. While your daffodil may produce flowers for a short period of time, eventually the lack of sun results in green plants with no flowers.

Can Daffodils Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
When planted outside, direct sunlight is a prerequisite for daffodils to be healthy and produce blooming flowers. Without the recommended 5–6 hours of direct, daily sunshine, daffodils are far less likely to bloom.

• Daffodils do not grow well in indirect sunlight.
• Avoid planting daffodils in a garden bed that receives little or no direct sunlight.
• Potted bulbs can be sprouted indoors with indirect light.
• Transplant plant bulbs to a sunny location after they sprout.

Daffodil bulbs can be planted indoors in water using a container, such as a vase, jar, or another type of container lined with a thin layer of rocks. A bulb can be placed inside the container with the roots only in water and the container placed in a location that receives indirect light. With this type of setup, the bulbs will thrive and grow. 

Can Daffodils Grow in Shade?
Daffodils can grow in some shade but prefer full sun. When mature plants are placed in heavily shaded areas with no sun, it will only be a short time before the plants no longer bloom. Deep shade for daffodils does not result in blooms. Partial and light shade can result in blooms as long as the flowers receive adequate direct sun throughout the day. 

• Daffodils can grow in partial shade as long as they still receive 5–6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Daffodils moved into full and deep shade will stop producing their beautiful yellow blooms.
• Because daffodils grow early in spring, you can plant them near shade trees that will not have regrown their leaves by the time daffodil season arrives.

It is also possible for daffodils to grow and bloom when planted beneath leaf-producing trees (not evergreens). The reason for this is that daffodils begin to sprout and bloom in late winter to early spring. At this time, the trees overhead will not have regrown their leaves. So, your daffodils will get plenty of sun to encourage blossoms before your trees start casting shade.

What Happens if Daffodils Don’t Get Enough Sun?
If they don’t receive 5–6 hours of direct sun per day, daffodils will grow, but chances are they will not return the following year. Daffodils must receive rather large amounts of sunlight to grow larger bulbs and store energy to survive the winter. A sun-starved daffodil gradually weakens and dies.

• Shaded daffodils may survive one growing season, but often they won’t sprout again next year.
• Lack of sun can cause boggy soil and root rot for all varieties of daffodils.

When not enough sun is available, the soil where the daffodils reside will become soggy, even muddy due to watering. Without the sun to help dry out the soil, the roots of the daffodils would remain in overly irrigated soil, which results in rotting the roots and killing the plant. Plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil are crucial for growing healthy daffodil bulbs that come back year after year.