How to Grow Paperwhites

Paperwhites will grow easily in almost any container

Paperwhites are a relative of common daffodils. They are found in the Narcissus family of plants. They spring up from a bulb and offer clusters of delicate white flowers that are shaped like daffodils.

Paperwhites are frequently used for decoration in December and January because they are easy to force bloom and grow well indoors. The tender flowers offer a taste of spring, while the green and white colors meld effortlessly with winter decor.

Forcing Bulbs

Paperwhites require very little to grow and blossom. In fact they do not even need soil. The bulbs only need to be halfway submerged in water. They can, however, be loosely placed in soil or sphagnum moss. Note that the upper half of the bulb should not be covered. In addition, paperwhite bulbs can be grown in decorative containers without drainage holes. They should be held in place by pebbles or decorative rocks. Place several inches of rock on the bottom of the container. Then place the bulbs so that the tops are even with the rim of the container. Surround the bulbs with enough pebbles or rocks to hold them in place. Fill the container with just enough water to cover the bottom portion of the bulbs. Maintain the water at this level throughout the life of the paperwhite.

Care

Once you have planted your bulb, find a warm spot with plenty of sunlight. If you place it near a window, make sure the window is not too drafty or cold. You may need to move the bulbs at night. It takes a little over a month for paperwhites to mature and produce flowers. To preserve the bloom move the flowering plant to a cooler location with a little less sun.

Paperwhites also like to stay moist, so keep the bulb or potting medium damp.

Paperwhites are not fussy to force but they can only be forced once. The bulbs can only be planted outdoors in USDA zones 8-11. Once the Paperwhites are done flowering they can be discarded as the forced bulbs will not flower again.

Decorating Ideas

Because paperwhites are so versatile and do not require potting medium to grow you can use them in a wide array of decor. Here are a few decorating ideas:

Place them in hurricane glass filled with festive colored glass rocks. Tuck twigs with colorful berries into the rocks among the bulbs.

Plant the paperwhites in a broad, shallow bowl container and surround with sphagnum moss.

Use small christmas tins as containers and secure the paperwhites in place with pebbles. Be sure to line the tin with plastic first so that it doesn’t rust.

Line small baskets with plastic and grow the paperwhite bulbs held in place with decorative glass rocks.

Your Ideas

You can plant paperwhites in just about anything that will hold water. Unlike most other household plants they do not require drainage holes, making them significantly easier to decorate with. They are an excellent holiday addition to any home or office and even a fun gift to give. How have you used paperwhites to decorate?