Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Daphne
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Daphne
Daphne odora · Winter daphne
A small evergreen shrub prized for its intensely fragrant pink and white flowers in late winter. One sprig can scent a whole room.
Part shadeLight
WeeklyWater
ChallengingCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Part shade
ShadeFull sun
Morning sun and afternoon shade.
Water
Weekly
DryWet
Keep evenly moist; never waterlogged.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
-10–30°C (14–86°F)
CoolWarm
Dislikes heat and humidity.
Growth
Slow, rounded
SlowFast
Grows 1 m.
Soil
Perfectly drained, slightly acidic
LeanRich
Use azalea mix in a raised pot.
Fertiliser
After flowering
RarelyOften
Light feed of camellia fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
All parts are highly toxic to pets and people.
About this plant
Daphne comes from China and Japan. It's famously fussy: it needs perfect drainage, dappled shade and hates being moved. Get those right and the scent makes it worth the effort.
Best spots
Shaded balconies, beside doorways and paths, and pots near entries.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Daphne odora |
| Family | Thymelaeaceae |
| Origin | China & Japan |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub |
| Mature size | 1 m |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Foliage | Glossy leaves, often gold-edged |
| Flowers | Fragrant pink-white clusters |
| Toxicity | Highly toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering
Prune
Fertilise
FloweringPruneFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Sudden collapse | Root rot from poor drainage. |
| Yellow leaves | Wrong pH or wet soil. |
| Scorched leaves | Too much sun. |
| Few flowers | Too much shade. |
| Leaf spot | Virus; remove badly affected plants. |
Common questions
Why did my daphne die suddenly?
Usually root rot; drainage is critical.
Can I move it?
Avoid it; daphnes hate disturbance.
Is it toxic?
Highly, keep away from pets and children.
When does it flower?
Late winter.
