How to Grow Paperwhite Narcissus Flowers

About Growing Paperwhite Narcissus Flowers in Your Flower Garden

Growing Paperwhite Narcissus plants is a rewarding experience. These early spring bloomers are heavily scented, trumpeted flowers, Paperwhite Narcissus flowers is a joy to grow outdoors, or forced into bloom inside of your home. And, it’s oh so easy to grow, too!

A native to Europe and Asia, it is now grown around the world. Paperwhites are a small member of the Narcissus family (Daffodils and Jonquils are larger family members). What Paperwhites lack in size, they make up for in fragrance and charm. For little flowers, they are big in the popularity department. These spring blooming flowers are equally popular, grown as an indoor houseplant. Growing these plants indoors adds bright, cheery blooms, and a sweet scent, to an otherwise dreary winter’s day.

As their name suggests, Paperwhites are white. But, you can find these trumpet shaped flowers in yellow too.

Did you know? Paperwhite Narcissus flowers were named after the legendary Greek youth Narcissus, who was strikingly handsome.

Flowers Bloom: Spring

Flower Colors: White, white with a yellow center, yellow.

Plant height: Plants grow from 10 inches to 2 feet tall.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11

Perennial

How to Grow Paperwhite Narcissus Indoors

Here’s where the fun comes in. Forcing Paperwhites to grow and bloom indoors in the winter, is a popular and fun activity. Fill a shallow bowl, pot, or container part way with decorative stones. Plain stones, gravel, and even soil work too. The decorative stones allow you to display your personal creativity, and are much more fun. Set Paperwhite bulbs onto the stones, pushing them down just far enough so the bulbs are supported in an upright position. Put several of them together. Don’t worry about crowding.

Add water to just reach the bottom of the bulb. If the water covers too much of the bulb, the bulbs can rot. Now put them in a cool, dark place for one to two weeks. When the roots have begun to take hold, and the plant has sprung from the bulb, take the pot out into a brightly lit room. Four to six weeks later, your Paperwhites will be in bloom.

Tip: Plant several pots in succession. You will have Paperwhites blooming all winter long!

After blooming, cut the flower and stem off. Do not cut back the leaves. Put them in a sunny window and transplant them outdoors when the weather permits. It will take two or three years before they will bloom again. They need to “re-charge” their bulbs with energy.

How to Grow Paperwhite Narcissus Flowers

Paperwhite plants are grown from bulbs. Plant outdoors in the fall. Select a sunny spot, although they will tolerate partial shade. The bulb stores all the energy it needs for next year’s bloom. Adding a little fertilizer will help the bulb to absorb energy for next year’s bloom. Add mulch around the bed to make it more attractive, and to keep the weeds down.

Paperwhites look attractive planted in bunches. They don’t mind a little crowding.

Bulb Planting Depth: 2 to 3 inches deep.

Final Plant Spacing: 2 to 3 inches apart. They tolerate a little crowding. However, plants and flowers are smaller when overcrowded.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.