Daffodils typically cost $0.50-$2.50 per bulb, while a 10-bulb retail pack often runs $8-$25 and professional planting can raise the total to $2-$6 per bulb. Price depends on bulb size, variety, quantity, shipping, and whether the purchase includes planting or a finished potted plant.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual bulbs | $0.50 | $1.25 | $2.50 | Common varieties; specialty bulbs may cost more |
| 10-bulb pack | $8 | $15 | $25 | Retail pricing, before tax or shipping |
| Bulk bulbs, 100 or more | $0.25 each | $0.55 each | $1.10 each | Variety and bulb grade affect price |
| Professional planting | $2 per bulb | $4 per bulb | $6 per bulb | Bulbs and routine labor included |
| Potted daffodils | $8 | $16 | $30 | Price varies by pot size and bloom stage |
| Cut daffodils | $1.50 per stem | $2.50 per stem | $4 per stem | Florist pricing; delivery may cost extra |
What daffodil bulbs cost for a typical spring planting
For a home garden, a common single-flowering bulb usually costs $0.50-$1.50 when purchased in a small pack. Larger, premium bulbs and less common varieties commonly run $1.25-$2.50 apiece. A 25-bulb planting can therefore cost about $15-$60 for bulbs alone, depending on the mix and seller.
Bulk purchases bring down the per-bulb price. A 100-bulb order of standard varieties may cost $25-$75, while selected premium varieties can push that order to $80-$150. Shipping, if charged separately, can add roughly $8-$25 to a small online order. For a basic planting, budgeting $1-$1.50 per bulb before labor is a practical starting point.
Assumptions: Standard, healthy bulbs for fall planting; prices exclude sales tax, shipping, and installation.
How bulb grade, shipping, and planting shape the quote
Bulbs account for only part of an installed landscape price. A contractor may also charge for layout, soil preparation, planting, cleanup, and travel. Some quotes bundle the bulbs and labor into a per-bulb rate; others list materials and labor separately. Ask whether the price covers watering, mulch, and replacing bulbs that fail to emerge.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bulbs | $0.50 each | $1.25 each | $2.50 each | Variety and bulb size |
| Planting labor | $1.25 each | $2.50 each | $4 each | Quantity, soil, and access |
| Soil amendment or mulch | $10 per bed | $30 per bed | $75 per bed | Bed area and soil condition |
| Delivery or shipping | $0 | $12 | $30 | Seller, order size, and distance |
| Removal of old plants | $25 | $60 | $150 | Bed size and debris volume |
For example, 50 standard bulbs at $1.25 each cost about $62.50. At $2.50 per bulb for planting, labor adds $125, bringing the estimated bulb-and-planting subtotal to about $188 before delivery, soil work, or tax.
Confirm whether a quote is per bulb, per bed, or a minimum service charge before comparing totals. Small planting jobs may have a minimum fee of $75-$200 even when the bulb count is low.
Why 10-inch beds and premium varieties change bulb prices
Bulb size is one reason two apparently similar packs have different prices. A larger bulb, often sold as a top-grade or flowering-size bulb, is more likely to produce a strong bloom in the first season than a smaller, less expensive bulb. Check the stated circumference or grade when a seller provides it; size standards and labels can vary.
Variety also matters. Familiar yellow trumpet daffodils are generally among the least expensive. Double-flowered, split-cup, miniature, fragrant, and unusual color varieties often cost $1.50-$4 per bulb in small quantities. Specialty bulbs can exceed that range when supply is limited. Mixing a few premium bulbs with standard varieties can keep the overall order affordable.
Planting layout affects labor as well as quantity. A naturalized look may use 5-7 bulbs per square foot, while a more widely spaced bed might use 3-5. A 10-square-foot area can therefore require roughly 30-70 bulbs, or about $15-$175 for bulbs, depending on density and variety. Measure the bed and choose spacing before ordering to avoid paying for more bulbs than the design needs.
Soil and access can add expense. Rocky ground, compacted soil, roots, or planting around existing perennials can slow digging. A level, prepared bed is usually less expensive to plant than a sloped area or a site requiring extensive excavation. Ask the installer to identify any site-work allowance separately rather than hiding it in a high per-bulb rate.
What labor costs when daffodils go into a garden bed
Gardeners and landscapers may price planting by the hour, by the bulb, or as a minimum visit. General landscaping labor often falls around $40-$85 per hour, with regional variation and business minimums. Planting 50 bulbs in loose, accessible soil might take one worker about 1-2 hours; a difficult bed or detailed arrangement could take 2-4 hours.
At an hourly rate, that example suggests roughly $40-$170 in labor before materials. A per-bulb installation quote of $2-$6, including bulbs, can be easier to compare, but it may cost more on very small jobs. Check whether the crew will prepare the bed and dispose of removed soil or plants.
Labor is often the biggest variable on small plantings because minimum visit charges can outweigh the bulb cost. A homeowner can reduce labor charges by marking the planting area, clearing loose debris, and ensuring access, but should not assume the contractor will accept customer-supplied bulbs without an adjustment to the warranty.
Assumptions: One worker, ordinary hand-digging, accessible soil, and no irrigation or hardscape work.
Regional daffodil prices from online sellers to local nurseries
Retail bulb prices vary by seller and local demand more than by a simple national regional rule. Online catalogs may offer a wider range of varieties, but freight can erase the savings on small orders. Local nurseries may charge 10%-30% more than a bulk online price for a small pack, while letting buyers inspect bulb condition and avoid shipping.
Landscaping labor is commonly higher in major coastal cities and high-cost metro areas than in many rural or lower-cost markets. A planting quote in an expensive metro can run 15%-35% above a similar job in a lower-cost area. Rural jobs may instead carry a travel fee or minimum charge because crews have farther to drive.
Compare the full landed price: bulb total, shipping, taxes, delivery, and any installation minimum. For contractor quotes, use the same bulb count, variety, bed preparation, and cleanup scope. Two quotes are not comparable if one includes premium bulbs and soil work while the other covers only basic planting.
Bulbs, potted flowers, and cut stems serve different budgets
Bulbs are the lower-cost choice for a garden that can wait until the next spring bloom. A 10-bulb pack is often $8-$25, and many varieties return for several years when suited to the site. The initial purchase does not include the time to plant them, and results depend on climate, drainage, and care.
For immediate color, a potted daffodil plant generally costs $8-$30 at a grocery store, garden center, or florist. Larger decorative pots and multiple flowering bulbs can reach $35-$60. Potted flowers are usually sold close to bloom time; their price reflects the container, growing time, and retail presentation, not simply the cost of bulbs.
Cut stems commonly cost $1.50-$4 each, or about $8-$20 for a small bunch, with florist arrangements costing more. Daffodil stems can affect other cut flowers in a mixed vase, so some florists sell them separately or condition them before arranging. Choose bulbs for repeated seasonal garden value, pots for ready-to-display color, and stems for short-term arrangements.
Three realistic daffodil budgets for yards and gifts
A small front-border job using 25 standard bulbs at $1.20 each costs $30 for bulbs. If a gardener charges $70 for a short visit and the bed needs $15 of compost, the total is about $115 before tax. This assumes prepared soil and no removal or delivery charge.
A 100-bulb naturalized planting might use standard bulbs at $0.65 each, for $65 in materials. At $1.75 per bulb for planting, labor adds $175; delivery and basic mulch could add $35-$60. The estimated total is $275-$300, or about $2.75-$3 per bulb installed.
A premium 40-bulb border with specialty varieties at $2.50 each costs $100 for bulbs. Detailed planting at $3 per bulb adds $120, and soil amendment plus delivery may add $40-$85. The likely total is $260-$305, or roughly $6.50-$7.60 per bulb, because the design uses pricier stock and more deliberate placement.
These examples show why the installed cost per bulb can range from about $2 to more than $7. Quantity, cultivar, prep work, and local labor drive the difference; they are estimates, not fixed national rates.
When to order daffodils and how to trim the final bill
Daffodil bulbs are planted in fall, generally before the ground freezes and after summer heat eases. Ordering early can improve access to popular varieties, while end-of-season discounts may reduce prices if acceptable varieties remain. Discounts are less useful if bulbs arrive too late for planting or are in poor condition, so check shipping windows and return policies.
To lower the bill, buy a larger quantity of standard varieties where the per-bulb discount outweighs unused stock, or use premium varieties as accents. Compare local nursery prices with online totals after freight. Group several beds into one contractor visit to reduce minimum charges, and have the planting area cleared before the crew arrives.
Keep the scope simple when a quote includes bed redesign, extensive soil replacement, or decorative edging that is not needed for bulb planting. Do not remove healthy existing plants simply to create a larger display. If a quote is high, ask for separate prices for bulb supply, planting, bed preparation, and cleanup, then decide which tasks can be done independently.
The most reliable savings usually come from controlling quantity, choosing standard bulbs, and avoiding a separate small-job service call. Keep the bulb count matched to the bed, and do not trade away healthy bulb quality for a small discount on visibly damaged or soft stock.