Paperwhites are fragrant, winter-blooming bulbs that are grown indoors. Inside each bulb is everything that’s needed to produce a living bouquet of beautiful flowers. Simply put the bulbs in a container, add water, and they'll be blooming in just 3 to 4 weeks. If you plant a few bulbs each month you'll be able to enjoy fresh flowers all winter long. Here’s how to get your paperwhite bulbs off to a great start:
WHEN TO PLANT
Paperwhites can be grown indoors from late fall through early spring. Bloom time is determined by planting time, so if you plant a few bulbs each month, you'll be able to have paperwhites in bloom all winter long.
Any bulbs that you won't be planting right away should be kept in a cool (40 to 50°F), dark place. A ventilated plastic bag will help to keep the bulbs from drying out. Paperwhites are sensitive to cold temperatures, so don't let the bulbs freeze.
HOW TO PLANT
Paperwhites are usually grown without soil. Choose a shallow, watertight container and fill the bottom with two or three inches of small stones. Marble chips, polished stones, glass beads or washed gravel all work fine. Planting in groups of five or more bulbs will give you the best show. Place the bulbs closely together (touching each other is fine) with their pointed ends up. The tops of the bulbs should be even with or slightly above the rim of the pot. Add more stones to hold the bulbs in place.
After planting, add water to the container until it barely touches the base of the bulbs. Put the pot in a cool, bright location. Over the next two weeks, water sparingly, adding only enough water to maintain the same level. Once the bulbs start growing, you'll need to replenish the water more often, but keep the level below the base of the bulbs.
If you prefer to grow your paperwhites in soil, use a standard container mix and keep the top of the bulbs above the soil surface. Moisten the container mix before planting and then water sparingly until the bulbs have developed roots and are growing well.
As the plants grow, turn the pot every few days to keep the foliage growing straight. Bright light and relatively cool temperatures (60-65°F) will help the plants grow quickly without getting too tall. If the stems get too tall to support themselves, you can encircle the foliage with ribbon or string.
Like most bulbs that are forced for indoor flowers, paperwhites are usually tossed out after they finish blooming.
In warm climates, where temperatures don't go below 20°F, paperwhite bulbs can be planted outdoors and will bloom in late winter. Paperwhites require a hot, dry summer in order to produce a good show of flowers. For this reason, they are considered perennials only in Southern California and parts of Texas.