Paper Whites

The leaves supply the energy the plant needs to produce flowers during the next season. In warm climates, paperwhites are less demanding than other narcissus varieties. With this minimal care, they'll come back from year to year.

How do you take care of paperwhites?

Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Paperwhites will bloom in about two to four weeks. Once the plants begin to bloom, the floral display typically lasts one to two weeks. For longest bloom, keep the soil moist and move the pot out of direct sun.

Can paperwhites be planted outside?

Like most bulbs that are forced for indoor flowers, paperwhites should be discarded after they finish blooming. In warm climates, where temperatures don't go below 20°F, paperwhite bulbs may be planted outdoors in late fall for blooms in late winter. Plant the bulbs about 6" deep and 4" apart.

How long do paperwhites last?

Paperwhites are loved for their pretty white blooms that last for about two weeks. After they've faded, snip off the flowers and enjoy the green leaves as a houseplant for a few more weeks. Paperwhites are in the same family as daffodils, Narcissus.

What do you do with paperwhites after they finish blooming?

You need to let the leaves die back naturally on their own. While the flowers are done blooming, the leaves provide nutrients to the bulb for next year. I continue to water the bulbs every 2-3 days. If you live in Zone 8 or higher, you can put the bulbs outside.

Do paperwhites bloom more than once?

Answer: It is unlikely for the paperwhite narcissus to re-bloom in the winter following blooming in the fall. In fact, when paperwhites are forced to bloom in marbles and water, they are often discarded afterwards.

How do I save my paperwhites for next year?

Keep Them in Pots About six weeks after the paperwhite blooms, turn the pot on its side and store it somewhere where it will not freeze, such as a garage or basement. In the fall, turn the pot upright, place it in the sun, water the bulb thoroughly and continue watering until the paperwhite blooms again in the spring.

How do I stop my paperwhites from falling over?

Fortunately there's a simple trick that can prevent this from happening. When the stems reach 5 inches, add vodka to the water. Much as you might expect this treatment to make the plants tipsy, it instead burns the roots, which slows growth and prevents the stems from toppling.

Can paperwhites survive in winter?

Unlike their daffodil relatives, paperwhites won't tolerate freezing temperatures, but they can be planted outdoors where winters are mild. Plant them in the fall as you would other spring-flowering bulbs.

Do paperwhites multiply?

"A fun fact about paperwhites is that they naturalize outdoors, meaning their bulbs multiply underneath the soil," she explains. "Every three years in the fall, it is recommended to dig up the bulbs, split them up and plant them so they may produce new paperwhite blooms in the spring."

Should you deadhead paperwhites?

Deadhead paperwhite blooms as they start to fade, so you can continue to enjoy the foliage.

Can you reuse paperwhite bulbs?

But don't chuck them: store them. When they've finished flowering, leave them in their pots for the following year, or dry them off, leaving the leaves to shrivel on the bulb, and re-pot them again late next year. I've had the same Paperwhite bulbs flowering every winter for the past 3 years.

Why do paperwhites only bloom once?

If this is the case, can paperwhite flowers rebloom from a spent bulb? Once the bulb has flowered, it has pretty much used up all its stored energy. In order to make more energy, the greens or leaves need to be allowed to grow and collect solar energy, which is then converted into plant sugar and stored in the bulb.

When should I plant paperwhites for Christmas?

Paperwhite bulbs take typically around four to six weeks to bloom. Start them around the first week of November in time for Thanksgiving or soon after Turkey Day in time for Christmas.

How often should I water indoor paperwhites?

Check the bulbs frequently and water thoroughly when the potting mix is dry 1" below the surface (but not more than once a week until the bulbs begin active growth), or when the water level is more than 1" below the stones or glass in your vase.

How many flowers do you get from a paperwhite bulb?

Forcing paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) is easy—just pot them up, and in a few weeks they're a fragrant flurry of bloom. Each bulb produces one to three stems with up to 20 flowers per stem, with each flower up to 1½ inches across.

Can I save bulbs for next year?

Most bulbs can be stored for up to a year, but tend to perform best when planted within six months of lifting. For tender bulbs, be sure to plant in the spring following the fall in which they were lifted-they will likely not have enough energy to survive past the warm season and into the following year.

Can you put paperwhites in soil?

Planting Instructions For Paperwhite Bulbs They also make great gifts! Fill a pot or dish halfway with soil or gravel. You'll want at least 2 inches of soil or gravel for drainage. Set the bulbs gently in the soil or gravel, and pack more soil around the bulbs, leaving the tips visible.

When should paperwhites be planted?

Paperwhites can be planted outdoors anytime from fall through winter in zones 8 to 10, with flowers arriving in the spring. However, those in cooler climates can also enjoy the blossoms by forcing indoors! We recommend planting a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks from October to January for continuous indoor blooms.

Can paperwhites grow in just water?

Try growing paperwhites in water rather than soil. It works just as well. Use stones to anchor the bulbs and keep the flowers from tipping over.