No Flowers On Daphne Plants – Reasons For Daphne Not Blooming

White Flowers On Daphne Plants
(Image credit: LFO62)

The beautiful, fragrant blossoms that appear on Daphne plants convince gardeners to invite them into the garden, planting them near the doorways or beside paths to appreciate their heady honey scent. But these plants are not always easy to grow, and even those with vigorous foliage don’t necessarily flower. If you find your Daphne not blooming, you’ll want to read some tips on how to get blooms on Daphne plants.

Daphne Plant Blooms

The genus Daphne was named for the nymph who, in a Roman myth, refused the god Apollo’s love and was turned into a shrub. The genus numbers some 100 species, including both evergreen and deciduous varieties.

Daphne plant blooms are among the loveliest of flowers, and most Daphne plants are grown for their exquisitely fragrant blossoms. However, some varieties of Daphne also offer small berries and attractive foliage. Winter Daphne (Daphne odora) blooms in the cooler months and is quite cold hardy.

Why is My Daphne Not Flowering?

Daphne can be very particular about planting and very long to flower. All too many gardeners end up asking: “Why is my Daphne not flowering?” Is your Daphne not blooming? If the year passes and you see no flowers on Daphne plants, there is some kind of a problem. It is true that Daphne takes time to establish and won’t flower for a few years after planting.

But if that time is passed and you see no flowers on Daphne plants, review your cultural practices. You want to make sure you are doing everything necessary to encourage Daphne flower blooms.

First, you’ll want to see where your Daphne is planted. Daphne plants do not thrive in containers long term, nor are they very happy when transplanted. All types of Daphne dislike and react poorly to root disturbance of any kind.

Assuming your Daphne is planted in a garden bed, take a look at the soil. If you want to know how to get blooms on Daphne plants, be sure the soil is well-draining, retains moisture and contains organic material.

In addition to the right soil, Daphnes want a few other elements in order to bloom. They require generous irrigation on a regular basis. Daphnes not blooming may be due to dry soil.

Also, check to see that your Daphne gets shelter from strong winds. It also needs some shade from the hot, mid-day sun.

Layer the ground around your plants with a good, organic mulch each spring. This helps keep their roots protected and cool from the summer sun. But keep the mulch a few inches (8.5 cm.) from the stems to prevent rot.

Teo Spengler
Writer

Teo Spengler has been gardening for 30 years. She is a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Her passion is trees, 250 of which she has planted on her land in France.