Paperwhite Narcissus for Indoor Forcing

Paperwhites bloom four to six weeks after you set them in pebbles and water, and they need no cold period, so you can start them any time from October through December. Set bulbs shoulder to shoulder in a bowl of gravel, keep the water level just below the bulb bases, and give them a bright, cool window. That is the entire method.

For steady bloom through the cold months, start a new bowl every two weeks from mid-October on.

What makes paperwhites different

Most spring bulbs need weeks of cold before they flower. Paperwhites come from a warm Mediterranean climate, so the bulbs you buy in fall are already primed. Warmth, light, and water are enough to start them.

The tradeoff is fragrance. Paperwhites have a strong, musky scent. Some people love it; some find it too much in a small room. If you are unsure, try one pot first or look for milder cultivars sold as less fragrant.

The pebble method, step by step

1. Pick a container without a drainage hole, at least 3 to 4 inches deep. A shallow glass bowl or a tall glass cylinder both work. Tall glass helps hold up the stems.
2. Add 2 to 3 inches of pebbles, gravel, or glass beads.
3. Set the bulbs pointed end up, close together, nestled into the stones so they stand on their own.
4. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Keep the bulb itself out of the water or it can rot.
5. Place the bowl somewhere cool and bright. Roots form in about a week, then green shoots climb fast.
6. Top up the water every few days so the root zone never dries.

Paperwhites also grow fine in potting mix. Plant them with the tips showing and keep the mix lightly moist.

How to keep stems from flopping

Paperwhites tend to stretch and fall over, especially in warm rooms. Three fixes help:

• Cooler and brighter. A room around 60 to 65°F with strong light gives shorter, sturdier stems than a warm, dim one.
• A tall container. Glass cylinders or vases support the stems as they grow.
• The alcohol trick. Research from Cornell University found that watering with a 4 to 6 percent alcohol solution stunts the stems by roughly a third without hurting the flowers. Wait until shoots are 1 to 2 inches tall, then replace the plain water with a mix of about 1 part 80-proof clear spirits to 7 parts water. Do not use beer or wine; the sugars cause trouble. Rubbing alcohol works at a much weaker mix, so stick with spirits if you are unsure.

You can also tie a ribbon or twine loosely around the bunch once stems pass a foot tall.

Timing your bloom

• Start in mid-October for flowers around Thanksgiving.
• Start in early to mid-November for flowers in December.
• Start in early December for bloom around the turn of the year.

Store unplanted bulbs somewhere cool, dry, and dark, about 50 to 60°F, until you start them. Bulbs held too long in a warm house may sprout in the bag or fade.

After they bloom

Bulbs forced in water use up most of their stored energy, so most gardeners compost them after flowering. In Zones 8 to 10, you can plant spent bulbs outdoors in a sunny spot where they may bloom again in a year or two. In colder zones, start fresh bulbs each season.

Pets

Paperwhites are a type of narcissus and are toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA. The bulb is the most toxic part, and pets sometimes drink the water from the bowl. Keep forcing bowls out of reach.

Bottom line

Force paperwhites from October through December in pebbles with water just below the bulbs. Expect flowers in four to six weeks, keep them cool and bright, and use a tall vase or the diluted spirits trick to stop flopping. Stagger bowls every two weeks for a long run of bloom.

Related reading

• Forced amaryllis bulbs for indoor winter bloom
• Spring-flowering bulbs to plant in late October and November
• Tulips vs daffodils for late fall planting
• Is the daffodil deer resistant?

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