Ultimate Guide to Growing and Caring for Paperwhite Flowers

If you want to brighten up your home or garden with the fragrant clusters of tiny white, yellow, or orange flowers of Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus), you’ve come to the right place. These beautiful flowering bulbs are a delightful addition to any indoor space or outdoor garden. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing and caring for Paperwhite flowers, from lighting and soil requirements to propagation and common problems.

Table of Contents

Getting Started with Paperwhite Flower Care

Light

Start your paperwhite bulbs in a spot with bright, direct sunlight, such as a south-facing window, for forced blooms in winter.
Once your plants begin to flower, move them to a cooler place with indirect light to extend the bloom period.
Outdoor-planted paperwhites in warm regions thrive in full sun or part shade.

Soil

Pot your paperwhite bulbs in a plant pot with drainage holes using a standard houseplant potting mix for indoor forcing.
Leave the tops of the bulbs above the soil line to ensure proper growth.
Alternatively, you can plant bulbs in a glass vase or dish filled with clean pebbles or gravel, with the tops still visible above the stones.

Water

Water indoor potted paperwhites when the top inch of soil has dried out.
For paperwhites forced in water, maintain the water level at the base of the bulbs to keep the roots submerged.

Temperature and Humidity

After flowering, move your paperwhite plants to a cool spot with indirect light to preserve blooms.
While paperwhite bulbs don’t require a chilling period, they thrive in hot, dry summers for repeated blooming outdoors in certain regions like California, New Mexico, and Texas.

Fertilizer

No need to fertilize forced paperwhite bulbs, as they are meant for a single bloom period.
Outdoor-planted paperwhites may take a few years to flower again after initial forcing.

Exploring Different Types of Paperwhites

‘Ziva’
‘Ariel’
‘Chinese Sacred Lily’
‘Grand Soleil d’Or’
‘Nir’

Propagating Paperwhites

While paperwhite bulbs are typically purchased new each year for indoor forcing, they can grow as perennials in certain warm regions.
Collecting paperwhite seeds after flowering is possible, but plants germinated from seed may take several years to mature.

Dealing with Pests and Plant Diseases

Paperwhites are generally resistant to pests and diseases, with the exception of basal rot caused by soil fungi.
Outdoor paperwhite plants are typically deer and rabbit resistant.

Tips for Getting Paperwhites to Bloom

Paperwhites bloom more quickly when stored longer.
Unlike hyacinths, paperwhites don’t require a chilling period, so no need to refrigerate bulbs before planting.
Depending on planting time and conditions, blooms can appear in four to six weeks.
Expect blooms to last two to three weeks, with proper care extending the bloom period.

Common Problems With Paperwhites

Plants Falling Over

Tall, floppy paperwhites can be caused by too much warmth or insufficient light.
Stunt plant growth by replacing a portion of water with hard alcohol to prevent flopping.

Flowers Not Blooming in Second Year

Forced paperwhite bulbs are usually discarded after blooming, as indoor conditions hinder energy storage for reblooming.
Outdoor planting may allow for second-year blooms in limited regions.

Abnormal Flowers

Basal rot can lead to abnormal flower growth.
Inspect bulbs before planting and only use firm, healthy-looking bulbs to prevent basal rot.

By following these tips and guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of Paperwhite flowers in your home or garden. Whether you’re forcing blooms indoors or planting them outdoors, Paperwhites are sure to brighten up your space with their lovely clusters of blooms. Happy gardening with Paperwhites!