Little Eden
Daphne Care Guide
Daphne Care Guide
Whether you're just starting out or an experienced gardener, our essential care guide will help you grow your beautiful Daphne in your garden.
Daphne is a small, slow-growing shrub that keeps its glossy green leaves all year and produces wonderfully scented clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers in late winter and early spring.
QUICK FACTS
Perennial, Evergreen
Perfect for small gardens
Attractive to pollinators
Beautiful winter fragrance
Safe for children and pets when not eaten
Botanical name
Botanical name
Daphne odora (and similar evergreen varieties)
Where to plant
STEP 1
Prepare your new Daphne
Unpack your plant as soon as you can — it may be thirsty for a drink if the soil feels dry, and it will be missing the light. Give it a gentle water and place it somewhere bright and sheltered.
STEP 2
Give it space and room to grow
When planting, choose a space about x2 wider than the pot all the way round. Daphne likes to stay put once settled, so pick a final position rather than moving it later.
Over time, it can grow to around 1 m tall and 1 m wide.
STEP 3
Give it some sun
Your Daphne enjoys partial shade or dappled sun, ideally protected from cold winds. A spot that gets morning light and afternoon shade is perfect. Avoid full, hot sun all day or deep shade.
North- or east-facing gardens are often ideal for Daphne.
Step 4
Check your soil
Daphne prefers well-drained, rich soil that stays slightly moist but never soggy.
It dislikes heavy, wet ground — if your soil is clay or doesn’t drain well, plant your Daphne in a container or raised bed with compost and grit mixed in.
Best soil types:
Loamy / light / well-drained / moist but not waterlogged.
Step 5
Position in border
Daphne is best planted near a path or doorway where you can enjoy its sweet fragrance through the colder months.
Place it towards the front or middle of a border where it won’t be crowded by taller plants. It’s a lovely choice for lifting winter beds and providing evergreen structure.