I knew about 30 days ago that I’d need something to brighten up and bring a bit of life back into my kitchen come January.
So I planted paperwhites! To me January is paperwhites!
I bought pre-potted paperwhite bulbs (Narcissus papyraceus bulbs) on sale before Christmas, storing in a cool, dry place until I was ready to plant (my pantry). With prepotted paperwhites, all you do is add water! These potted bulbs also make a nice gift, or a fun activity for your kids.
When I was ready, using my own glass container for planting, my goal was to “force” the bulbs to grow and flower in January!
What is forcing?
Forcing a bulb is means fast-forwarding their natural growth cycle, causing the bulb to bloom in winter instead of spring (when planted in the ground). Paperwhites are easy because they don’t require a long cold storage period to root.
How to plant
Find a container without drainage holes. I used the dirt that came with the bulbs.
Gently place the bulbs, pointed side up on the dirt.
They should be close, but not touching. (Five bulbs will fit nicely in a six-inch pot, I used three.) Spread more dirt on top.
Add decorative marbles or stones on top if you prefer.
How to water
You want to add just enough water so it reaches the base of the bulbs. You don’t want the bulbs to sit in water as this will cause rot. Maintain this level of water throughout the growing period. You’ll probably need to replenish the water every two or three days.
Place the container in a cool, dark place (about 50 degrees F) for a few weeks until green shoots appear. Then move to full, bright light (generally, a window with southern exposure). Too little light, and the plants will grow leggy as they stretch to reach the light. Initially, room temperature should be 60 to 65 degrees F.
To prolong bloom, after the plants begin to flower, remove them from direct sunlight and place in a cooler, less sunny part of your home.
And don’t forget to add a stylish ribbon!
For me, it’s a sure way to chase away the winter blues! And a great reminder that Spring is on its way.
Have you planted any bulbs this winter? Or do you make it an annual tradition to plant paperwhites?
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Great idea! I want to try this! January can be a hard month, this might help.
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I love these! I’m making a note of this – I’m going to plan on this for next year. (this year just won’t work)
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I’m so sad that I missed my opportunity to buy bulbs. By the time I went for them they were all gone. My thing with the paperwhites is that I think they’re pretty darn stinky. I love flowers in the middle of winter though.. darn.
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I love the look of paperwhites, but don’t like the scent (it makes me sneeze!). So I found a really good fake pot of paperwhites and I put them out after all the Christmas is put away. They look real!
My good friend who lives far away sends me an amaryllis bulb, potted and ready to go, each Christmas so that is in my sunroom now, starting to grow!
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Love this idea, and I’ve been wanting to do it – but can’t find any bulbs {of any kind} to buy around here!
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I planted some of these last year – trying to force them to grow at that time for a school project – we didn’t have any success – I have a black thumb, I’m afraid! Yours look like they’re doing great!
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So beautiful! I sooo do NOT have a green thumb. I would screw up on the watering part before I got to the other stuff.
I did however plant tulip bulbs in my flower beds in October so I will have some colorful tulips come April.
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They’re SO pretty, Sandy! I do agree that they make a great winter pick-me-up. Thanks for the detailed instructions.
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One year the kids and I planted many Paperwhites to give as Christmas gifts. They bloomed earlier than we planned—so we just made our deliveries a week before Christmas. They were beautiful, but I was glad to get them out of the house—too much fragrance for us!! We all had stuffy noses and headaches
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I got paperwhites last xmas as a present and i loved loved them! Will have to do it again this month, thanks for the inspiration and the how to!
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They look beautiful. I have never planted bulbs myself. Although I do not know h=why, it really isn’t that hard. I have bulbs in my garden…I inherited them…and I am ashamed to admit I do nothing to them…but they still grow. That is part of the reason I do not touch them…I seem to have a brown thumb these days.
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sooo beautiful Sandy! I love the clear glass stones you put in the container, may have to try my hand at this.
xo
j
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Hi Sandy~
I look forward to reading your blog everyday, thanks a bunch!!
I love this idea!! And I am probably one of the few that like the Paperwhite scent, lol And I hope that you don’t mind but I just had to share this with my twitter peeps
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They weren’t planted this year but we have paperwhites blooming in our YARD right now. The come back every year. I like flowers but am particularly fond of the ones that grow from bulbs. Can’t wait for the Iris to show up.
Darla
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Love paperwhites! Their fragrance is mild and lovely. I do both paperwhites and amarylis starting from bulbs. They almost grow themselves!
Great photos!
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I love to do this too! I love the fragrance and brings more sunshine into the month of January.
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I love Paperwhites! They really do seem perfect for January, don’t they?
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I love paperwhites! A little bit of spring on these dreary winter days. I received some as a Christmas gift from my inlaws this year potted in a beautiful Spode Blue Italian cachepot and they’re almost ready to bloom. Love at first sight.
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lovely, I’ve been craving some simple white fresh flowers in the house this week. I think the planning ahead part is what would get me on the whole paperwhite deal. maybe one year i’ll do it. I really like how they look and how you’ve used them. kelly
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