How to Grow Paperwhite Bulbs Inside During the Winter

This article shares information on how to grow paperwhite bulbs inside your home during the winter months.  

If you are new to this blog: Welcome! My name is Anna and I share information on collecting antique/vintage items, refurbishing furniture and making small crafts/projects. The purpose of this blog is to show you how to use creativity and antiques to make your home beautiful. In addition to information on the blog, you can also follow me on the following social media accounts Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

​Back Story

Winters in upstate New York are long.  Very long.  Snow is on the ground between November and April.  After the holidays, there is a stretch of four months where there are no flowers, leaves or grass outside.  Growing bulbs that flower, specifically, paperwhites helps me get through the long winter months and reminds me spring will soon arrive.  Some people grow paperwhite bulbs during the holiday season.  However, I prefer to start them at the end of December so they bloom in mid February.  Seeing and smelling these flowers this time of year (February and March) always lifts my spirits.   These bulbs produce delicate white blooms with a heavenly scent. 

With that in mind, I am sharing how I grow paperwhite flowers inside my home during the winter months.  Paperwhite bulbs are easy to grow and they produce fragrant flowers.  They are almost foolproof so you don’t need a green thumb to be successful.  Without further delay, let’s jump in.

Growing Paperwhite Bulbs During Winter

Paperwhites are part of the narcissus family of flowers and are typically spring-flowering bulbs.  Other flowers in this family include  many varieties of daffodils.  According to Weston Nurseries, the botanical name for paperwhite narcissus is “narcissus papyraceus” and the bulbs originate from the mediterranean region.  

The bulb is the source of energy used to grow the fragrant flowers and as a result very few supplies are needed to successfully grow these flowers. Getting a bulb to produce flowers indoors during the winter months is known as “forcing bulbs”. The terms “growing bulbs” and “forcing bulbs” are used interchangeably in this article.

Supplies 

A quick note, this post includes affiliate links and if you purchase items from links provided in this post, I will receive a small commission, but at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I am presenting you with my own opinion and honest review of the information provided. If you want to read the entire disclosure statement, please click HERE. You can also read my privacy policy by clicking HERE.

Most of these supplies are available at your local gardening store or plant nursery.  Narcissus bulbs are usually available for purchase in the late fall.  If you are reading this post during the colder months/ winter months, you can plan to grow paperwhite flowers from bulbs this time next year.   Purchase the bulbs in the fall, and store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator until you are ready to plant them indoors.   While a cold period is not required for these bulbs, it preserves them until you want to plant them.  If you store them at room temperature they may start sprouting on their own!

There are two primary ways to grow paperwhite bulbs:

• with pebbles and water; or
• with potting soil.  

Both methods work well, it’s just a matter of personal preference. Where possible, I have provided links to online sources for the supplies listed below. 

Growing Paperwhites in pebbles

• ​Paperwhite bulbs
• waterproof container 
• pebbles or small decorative stones

Growing Paperwhites in soil

• Paperwhite bulbs
• Container or shallow bowl with drainage holes 
• potting soil

Planting Paperwhite Flowers

A quick TIP: make sure the containers you are using is clean.  Mold and rot are paperwhite bulbs’ biggest enemy. So be sure you container is free of previous soil and debris.  

​Growing Paperwhites in Pebbles

Here is another TIP: when using pebbles to grow or “force” paperwhites, I like to use a container with higher sides to help support the stems as they emerge from the bulbs. 

Add a layer of pebbles 2-3 inches deep to the bottom of you container.  Now you are ready to add the  paperwhite bulbs to the container.  The pointy side of the flower bulbs goes up and the rounder flatter portion (or the base) of the bulb goes into the pebbles.  Nestle the base of the bulbs into the pebbles and add enough water so it barely touches the bottom of the bulbs. I found very little water is required.  The bulb can sense the water and will send out roots into the pebbles to anchor itself into place. Again, you don’t want to add too much water because this may cause the bulb to rot.  Only add enough water so the bottom of the bulbs are a little wet.

Growing Paperwhites in Soil

Be sure to use a container with drainage holes.  If desired, you can use a shallow container so long as it can hold enough soil to cover the bulbs.   Put at least 3 inches of soil into the bottom of your container.  Nestle the base of the bulb into the soil, and ensure the pointy side is up. Add another layer of soil so only the tippy tops of the bulbs can be seen.  If desired, add peat moss over the soil surface for a decorative touch. 

Care of Bulbs Once Planted

Place bulbs in a cool place (50-60°F), low-light location until green shoots appear at the top of the bulbs. Depending upon your location, this may take 1-2 weeks. After the first week, you should see root growth on the bottom of the bulbs. Once growth appears, place the bulbs in a sunny window or in a room with bright indirect light.  Check the water level periodically and add more water as needed.  

Keep the flowering bulbs out of direct sunlight since they don’t respond well to heat.  Try to keep them in a cool spot to prolong blooming. 

Bloom time is 4 to 6 weeks from planting.  I planted these bulbs at the end of December and they started to bloom in early February.  

Tip for Ensuring Compact Growth

Generally, paperwhites grow tall and have a tendency to flop over.  This can be easily remedied by staking the flowers and tying them with ribbon.  However, there is also a trick if you want to ensure compact growth.  Start your paperwhites as above. When they have sprouted and started to grow 1-2 inches tall, replace the water with a vodka or gin solution, with 1 part alcohol to 7 parts water. Watering with this mix will allow your paperwhites will grow just as beautifully, but they will be 1/3 to 1/2 as tall. 

Here’s a recipe:

• ½ cup vodka or gin (Inexpensive alcohol will work fine. Do not use beer, wine, or other liquors with sugar)
• 3 ½ cups water

Paperwhites in Bloom

Here are some photos of the paperwhites I planted in bloom.

They are cheerful and smell heavenly. A gentle reminder that spring is not too far away.

I love the delicate white blooms with the yellow centers.

Other Thoughts

Although not required, here are some other tips and tricks for growing paperwhite flowers.

• Buy bulbs in the late fall and store them in a cool dark place until after the holidays.
• In addition to pebbles, you can grow paperwhite bulbs in glass beads or stones.
• I have found, the bigger the bulbs the better the flowers.  
• You can use a wide variety of containers, vases, pots, wooden boxes, baskets, antique tureens, vintage canisters etc. Use your imagination and creativity!

Unfortunately, these bulbs will not re-bloom once they have been forced to grow indoors.  So, you will need to purchase new bulbs the following year if you want to have flowers blooming indoors during the winter. When the blooms on your narcissus fade, simply shake out the pebbles or soil and place the spent bulbs/foliage in your compost pile. 

 In Closing . . .

Paperwhite flowers make great gifts particularly when they are grown in unusual containers.  Fresh flowers with beautiful blooms are welcome during these long winter months.  Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  I hope you found some inspiration.  May there be fresh flowers in your week. 

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy: