Paperwhite Bulbs Are Easy To Grow And Quick To Bloom
Paperwhite narcissus bulbs are members of the daffodil family (narcissus tazetta is the proper name) that are usually grown indoors in the winter. Paperwhites aren't properly called daffodils although other tazetta type narcissus bulbs that are grown outdoors are called daffodils in the US. Paperwhites are native to frost free areas of the Mediterranean so they can't be grown in the garden in cold winter locales. No matter what you call them,they are easy to grow even for the novice.
All you need to grow paperwhites is a shallow dish and a planting medium such as pebbles, marbles,rocks or potting soil. Oh and at least five bulbs of your choice of variety. You can just plant a single bulb but a larger group of five to seven will make the prettiest display when they are in full bloom.
Paperwhite bulbs are really easy to grow even if you've never grown bulbs indoors before. They are also a great project for kids who are interested in gardening. And of course they make a great gift for anyone who loves growing daffodils.
Now that you're sold on the virtues of indoor bulb growing it's time to get started. Grab your container,planting medium and your paperwhite narcissus bulbs.
*Photo by terren in Virginia on Flickr
How To Plant Your Paperwhites-Step By Step
Start With Healthy Bulbs And You'll Be Well On Your Way To Winter Blooms

To get your paperwhite bulbs started, get a shallow bowl or flowerpot about four inches deep and light sandy soil or pebbles. A clear container works well for paperwhites because you can see the water level. It's important that the bulbs don't actually sit in the water.The container you choose for your paperwhites should not have drainage holes.
You can buy containers made especially for growing paperwhites but this isn't necessary. Any shallow glass or plastic container will work fine. If you don't have an attractive bowl you can just use whatever you have and put it in a pretty larger pot or basket after your bulbs are planted.
Add a two inch layer of soil or pebbles. Then set the bulbs right on top of this first layer and arrange them in a nice pattern. An odd number of five to seven bulbs makes a nice bold display. After the bulbs are arranged the way you want them add just enough soil or pebbles to anchor them in place. Make sure their necks are not covered. The pointed ends should be sticking out of the soil when you're finished.
You want the roots to grow downward towards moisture. You do not want the bulbs to be sitting in water. The reason a clear container helps is so you don't add too much water. You always want the water level to be just below the base of the bulbs.
Keep your planted bulbs in a cool, unheated (but not freezing) room. As soon as you see the green shoots move your pot to a warmer room and give it some sun. Make sure the soil doesn't dry out during this time.
If you put the container in a sunny window give it a quarter turn every day to keep the stalks from growing lop-sided. You should see the flower stalks emerge in about a month.
If you've used soil as your planting medium the bulbs will sometimes push their way to the top when the roots start growing. This normal and nothing to worry about.
You can store your extra bulbs in the fridge or your basement to keep them cool until you're ready to plant them.If your budget allows it's nice to plant a new pot of paperwhite bulbs every week or two to have blooms continuously for the rest of the winter.
*Photo by the bittenword.com on Flickr
Paperwhite Kits From Amazon
Pickle Your Paperwhites If You Don't Want To Stake Them
A Shot Of Booze Will Stunt The Growth Of Your Paperwhites (This Is A Good Thing)

One of the most annoying things about growing paperwhite bulbs is the need to stake them. When they are grown in a warm sunny area they tend to have long spindly leaves and flower stems that flop right over if they aren't tied to a wire or wooden stake. There is a way around that though. It's called the pickling method.
For the pickling method you need to use a clear container and pebbles,stones or marbles as your planting medium. Add just enough water at planting to give the roots some moisture to reach for. Don't fill the container with water. This will cause your bulbs to rot. If the water evaporates add more until you see roots growing from the bottom of the bulbs and the green shoots growing from the top.
At this point you want to empty the water from the container and add a new solution to the pot that consists of seven parts water to one part 80 proof liquor. Yes, liquor. You can add any hard liquor to the water and your paperwhites will grow short stout stems instead of tall skinny ones that flop over before the blooms open. This doesn't harm them in any way. In fact it doesn't affect the flowering at all.
This water and booze solution is what you'll give them every time they need water.
This has been a well documented way to keep paperwhites short without the need for staking. No one seems to know why this works, only that it does. It doesn't really matter what type of liquor you use but I would recommend a clear liquor such as gin, vodka or everclear rather than a dark strong smelling liquor like rum or whiskey. *Do not use beer or wine. It will kill your paperwhite bulbs.*
You can also use isopropyl or rubbing alcohol but you'll need to increase the dilution rate to one part alcohol to ten parts water.
If you want to grow your narcissus bulbs in soil and stake them this is okay, too. You can use wire,bamboo stakes or wooden sticks. You will need one stake per bulb and you'll need to add it at planting time to avoid piercing your bulbs.
Obviously, you shouldn't use the pickling method with children or pets around.
Photo by tellen in Virginia on Flickr
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If your garden is in frost free zone 9 or 10 you can grow your paperwhites outdoors!
"Growing Paperwhites In Soil
Growing Paperwhite Bulbs
An easy and fun way to have fresh flowers in your house even in the winter, is to grow them yourself. Allen Smith shows how to go from bulbs to flowers in just four weeks.
curated content from YouTube
Warning! Some People Actually Think Paperwhite Flowers,Um,Stink
Some paperwhite flowers,especially the white ones have a musky smell that some people hate. It has been described by some as smelling like poo-poo. This is due to something called an indole which has a chemical make-up similar to e. coli bacteria! (It's harmless though). If you don't like the smell of paperwhites try growing a yellow variety. They tend to have a sweeter smell more like other yellow dafodils.
You Really Should Plant Some Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs
Paperwhite Bulbs Are Easy And Addictive To Grow
As you can see the paperwhite is a beautiful and easy to grow flower bulb even for amateurs and kids. If you follow the simple directions given here you can have paperwhites blooming in your home all winter and into the spring.
If you're an experienced gardener you'll look forward to the cold months every year because it will be time to start your paperwhite narcissus bulbs.
Great Books To Help You Grow Flowering Bulbs Indoors
Gardeners love books that will give them the knowledge of an expert. These books will help you learn to grow all kinds of flowering bulbs indoors in the winter.
Forcing, Etc.: the indoor gardener's guide to bringing bulbs, branches & houseplants into bloom.
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.
Flower magic. (how to grow bulb plants out of their season): An article from: Child Life
Available for download now
All About Daffodils
All About Daffodils is my blog about growing all kinds of daffodils and narcissi including paperwhites.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHave You Planted Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs Yet?
Do you like paperwhites? Hate "Em ? Have you started yours yet?
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Reply
- poutine poutine Oct 2, 2009 @ 11:15 am
- Just revisiting this beautiful lens.
I love the posters that you chose to illustrate your site.
Poutine
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Reply
- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Sep 1, 2009 @ 7:58 am
- Great lens. We have trouble keeping them all winter so thank-you for the step-by-step
instructions. 5 stars*****
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- Grandma-to-be Grandma-to-be Feb 19, 2009 @ 10:28 am
- I am going to attempt to grow Paperwhites for centerpieces that I am making for my daughter's baby shower. The shower is on May 2nd. I am planning to use glass containers with pebbles. When should I start them so I have flowers by the Baby Shower date? Please help. Thanks
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- Kate_Downs Kate_Downs Jan 16, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
- What a well developed lens. I love Paperwhites and often give them as gifts during the holidays. This lens is full of excellent information and I plan on including a link with every Paperwhites gift I give this year. Wonderful job.
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Reply
- poutine poutine Jan 13, 2009 @ 10:34 am
- Very well done lens.
I learned a lot.
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