February Daphne

How to grow February Daphne

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant a container-grown specimen in autumn or spring and choose the position carefully, because it hates being moved once settled. Somewhere near a door or path is worth it - the pink flowers open on bare stems in late winter and are strongly scented.

Pruning

Do not prune. It resents cutting and responds badly, and it has a naturally tidy shape. Remove dead wood only.

Propagation

Seed sown fresh in autumn, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Both are slow and unreliable; self-sown seedlings from bird-dropped berries are often the easiest source.

Pests and diseases

Sudden death of a healthy-looking plant is common and often unexplained; viruses and root problems are both implicated. Aphids can distort young shoots.

Value to wildlife

Very early nectar for bees and early moths, and the red berries are eaten by birds.

Notes

Treat it as short-lived - many plants die at around eight to ten years for no obvious reason, so do not blame yourself. Mulch to keep the roots cool and do not disturb the soil around it. Every part of the plant, especially the berries, is well known to be poisonous, so check its toxicity before planting where children or pets have access.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Daphne mezereum but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

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