Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are one of the most popular Christmas bulbs, with slender stems topped by dainty white, highly fragrant blooms. They brighten up interiors for the holidays and make for exquisite living arrangements, but success in growing them is all to do with planting the bulbs at the right time.
If you're considering forcing bulbs indoors for the holidays, now is the time to pick up your paperwhite bulbs (which you can find at Walmart). Growing paperwhites is fairly straightforward: plant them 4-6 weeks before you want blooms, provide plenty of bright light, and keep them consistently watered.
But, it isn't as straightforward as planting and leaving them alone. Here, a flower growing expert talks through the exact window to plant your paperwhite bulbs for Christmas and two different methods to use (pick up an elegant bulb vase to get started).
When to Plant Paperwhites
Paperwhites are some of the best indoor bulbs to force for Christmas, and you can grow them in both soil and water. Either way, a bit of planning is needed to time planting in time for a holiday display.
'I grow hundreds of paperwhites each year to keep the flowers blooming over winter. Most paperwhites start blooming 4-6 weeks from planting,' says flower farmer-florist, Joey McFarland.
'Since the blooms themselves will last for a week or more once they’ve opened, it’s best to start on the earlier side. I recommend starting Christmas paperwhites by mid-November,' she continues.
Forcing spring-flowering bulbs essentially works by providing the bulbs with an ideal growing environment indoors prior to the natural, seasonal conditions. It tricks them into breaking dormancy and blooming earlier than they're meant to.
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Unlike other indoor bulbs, like hyacinths (this hyacinth forcing vase from Amazon is ideal for these bulbs), crocus, and tulips, paperwhites don't require a chilling period to trigger growth. This is thanks to their Mediterranean native habitat, where the milder winter conditions are enough to trigger growth – warmth and moisture indoors does the trick.
If you want flowering paperwhites indoors throughout the holiday season and beyond, plant new bulbs every two weeks from October to January and enjoy staggered blooming.
Keep in mind that temperature can also influence the speed of growth. Warmer temperatures between 68-75°F can encourage faster blooming, sometimes as soon as three weeks after planting. If you want to delay blooming, position your planted paperwhites in a cooler spot (between 65-70°F, which you can monitor with this Walmart room thermometer). This will also help encourage sturdier stems as the shoots appear.
As for how to go about planting them, there are two different techniques to use: either in water or soil.
Joey is a long-time gardener and flower farmer-florist focused on organic and sustainable methods for growing and arranging flowers.
How to Grow Paperwhites in Water
'My preferred planting method is in water. Select a vessel at least four inches tall. Fill the bottom 2-3 inches with pebbles or stones. Nestle your paperwhite bulbs into the stones. Fill with water until it’s just touching the bottom of the bulbs. Soon the bulbs will start forming roots,' says Joey.
To force bulbs in water successfully, Joey says to take care not to submerge the bulbs in the water, as this can cause rot.
'Paperwhites can grow quite tall so using a taller vessel can help support the heavy stems. You can also stake them or tie them together with a festive ribbon,' Joey recommends.
This tall bulb forcing glass from Amazon is designed to keep the paperwhite bulb out the water to avoid this issue.
Don't forget to refresh the water frequently to keep it clean and topped up. A houseplant watering can with a narrow spout (like this black metal one from Amazon) can make this much more convenient to do.
How to Grow Paperwhites in Soil
Even though paperwhites are one of the best indoor bulbs to grow in water, it is just as straightforward to force bulbs in soil – opt for this Wayfair terracotta pot to get the rustic look above.
It's best to choose a shallow container with a drainage hole to manage moisture. A well-draining potting mix is also wise, like this Miracle-Gro potting mix from Lowe's.
The pointed side of the bulb should be facing upwards, but you don't need to bury the bulb – leave the neck exposed.
Keep the bulbs well-watered but not soggy. Brighter light will also keep the stems upright and avoid flopping.
What to Shop
As well as using forced bulbs for festive arrangements, consider adding some holiday houseplants into the mix. Paperwhites look beautiful among red poinsettias, for example, and can add some height alongside your Christmas cactus.
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