To have paperwhites in bloom for Christmas, plant the bulbs in mid to late November, about four to six weeks before the holiday. Set them in potting mix with the tips showing, or on pebbles with water just touching the base of each bulb. Keep them cool for a week or two while roots form, then move them to a bright window. Paperwhites need no cold treatment, which makes them easy to force. For blooms all winter, plant a new batch every two weeks. After they flower, most gardeners compost the bulbs.
These cheery mini daffodils are among the most popular indoor plants for the holidays. Which method should you pick, soil or water? University of Missouri Extension says bulbs in potting mix are easier to care for and less prone to topple than bulbs in gravel and water. Water and pebbles look pretty in a glass bowl and need no soil. Both work, so choose by the container you want on the table.
Paperwhites for Christmas: The basics
Paperwhites are flowering bulbs grown indoors around Christmas. The Paperwhite flower brings green foliage and pure white, fragrant blooms to holiday decor. Along with poinsettia and amaryllis, paperwhites are among the few Christmas plants that flower during the holidays.
Two species go by the name paperwhite, Narcissus papyraceus and N. tazetta, and both are native to Europe and the Mediterranean, per Illinois Extension. Unlike most daffodils, they have no chilling requirement. That is why Paperwhite bulbs are “forced” with little effort: give them water and warmth, and they grow.
When to plant Paperwhites for Christmas?
Plant paperwhites for Christmas around American Thanksgiving, in mid to late November. Illinois Extension says they bloom 4 to 6 weeks after planting, and UF/IFAS gives a range of 4 to 8 weeks. For a longer show, MU suggests planting a new batch every two weeks in November for flowers through February.
Storage affects bloom too. University of Missouri Extension advises keeping bulbs cool until you plant them, since bulbs stored warm are poorer quality and may fail to flower.
The growing spot matters as well. UF/IFAS warns that plants grown too warm or with too little light get tall and floppy. Warmth speeds growth, and cool, bright conditions keep stems sturdy.
“Timing paperwhite bulbs for Christmas or New Year’s depends on the temperature of your growing medium, but generally speaking, bulbs will bloom 4 or 5 weeks after planting. Thanksgiving weekend is my traditional time to plant paperwhites at home to get Christmas flowers.”
Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Flowers, from Today’s Favorites to Unusual Varieties, by Matt Mattus
How to plant Paperwhites for Christmas?
Christmas paperwhites can grow in potting mix or in a bowl of pebbles and water. Both methods are easy for beginners.
To plant in potting mix, moisten the mix first. Choose a container with drainage holes, fill it with mix, and leave about 2 inches of space at the top. Set the bulbs pointy end up, about an inch apart, as Illinois Extension suggests. Fill around them so just the tips show. Water well and make sure the excess drains out.
Read more details about planting Paperwhite bulbs
To plant in water, use a bulb vase or a bowl with 1 to 2 inches of pebbles in the bottom. Set the bulbs on the pebbles, add more stones around them to hold them up, and add water until it just touches the base of each bulb. Illinois Extension says to keep the water at that level and never submerge the bulbs, which can rot.
Read more about how to plant Paperwhites in water
Caring for Christmas Paperwhites
After planting, give the bulbs a cool start while roots grow. Illinois Extension suggests 50 to 60°F (10 to 16°C) for a week or two. Iowa State Extension suggests a cool, dark spot at 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C) for 2 to 3 weeks. Room temperature works too, though growth is quicker and stems are weaker.
Once shoots are about 3 inches tall, move the pots to your sunniest window or under a bright plant light. Iowa State suggests 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) at this stage. Paperwhites can reach 18 to 20 inches and often need staking, per Iowa State. For more ways to keep them upright, see paperwhites falling over.
How to make Paperwhite flowers last longer?
Paperwhite flowers last 10 days to several weeks in cool conditions, and less when it is warm, according to Wisconsin Extension. Iowa State and Illinois both advise moving the plants out of direct sun once the buds open to make the flowers last.
What to do with Paperwhites after Christmas?
Most gardeners compost their paperwhites after Christmas. Iowa State says the bulbs should be discarded after flowering, since they cannot be forced again and are not winter hardy outdoors. MU agrees they are not useful for a second forcing.
Illinois Extension notes paperwhites are hardy to zone 8 and no colder, so they are grown as annuals in colder regions. In zone 8 and warmer, you can try planting spent bulbs outdoors, but do not count on flowers soon, since the bulbs are drained after forcing.
Read about other plants you can grow for Christmas in this post.
Shop at Eden Brothers for paperwhite bulbs.
FAQs
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Resources
- Paperwhites Falling Over? Here’s 3 Pretty Solutions
- Tips For Growing Great Paperwhite Flowers
- Paperwhite Ziva: A Pure White Winter Bloomer
- Joyful Dirt Organic Houseplant Fertilizer
- My Favorite Tools For Caring For Houseplants
- Houseplant Propagation Guides
- Want garden tips, updates, and freebies? Sign up for my newsletter
- My favorite things for houseplants
- Visit My Shop
References
- Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Flowers, from Today’s Favorites to Unusual Varieties, by Matt Mattus
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Paperwhites are beautiful white flowers that bloom indoors in the winter… But they’re just one of the many beautiful houseplants we’ve written about! Click the box below for more articles.
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