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March 3, 2016 in Indoor plants

Growing fragrant paperwhites indoors

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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It’s a good time to “force” your paperwhites. That is, time to plant these stunning bulbs in an indoor pot. Paperwhites planted in small vases make the best shower or wedding party favors. This project is easy and inexpensive to do. Fragrant paperwhites just need to be potted and watered. That’s it!  Have an elderly aunt, grandma or even a sick friend? Ever need a hostess gift? Perfect. Tall, elegant, and striking in appearance they will be appreciated. And the fragrance? Mind-blowing. So let’s enjoy a few blooms before our outdoor spring flowers blossom. 
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What You Need:

 

  • 3-12 Paperwhite bulbs
  • Small pebbles (like from the beach) or stones, beach glass, marbles of various shapes and sizes, shell chips
  • Growing these bulbs in water is a favorite way of flowering them, and is really all that is required. Any additional material simply serves as a root anchorage to prevent the plants from toppling over. In lieu of the pebbles, you could also anchor the bulb by applying a thin layer of gravel, sand or peat moss placed at the bottom of the receptacle. 
  • Container, vase, jar, glass, votive, bowl, pot, barrel, tub or urn with a drainage hole if possible.
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Instructions:

 

  1. Place your stones, pebbles, marbles, beach glass or shell chips to a depth of about 2 inches in a small vase/votive or about 4 inches in a larger vase or bowl. 
  2. If planting in a small vase or glass, pot one single paperwhite bulb with the roots facing down, narrower end of the bulb facing up. If planting in a bigger container or pot, place a layer of paperwhite bulbs close together, again, with the roots facing down, narrower end facing up. 
  3. Put a few stones, pieces of beach glass or marbles around and between the bulbs to anchor them in the vase, bowl or glass. Gently push in bulb. Leave just the top of the bulb exposed.
  4. Add water until the level reaches just below the base of the bulb, but no higher (if the base of the bulb sits in water, it will rot). 
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Rooting & Care:

 

  • Set your vase, container or pot in a cool place away from direct sunlight to encourage root growth. (50-60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal). 
  • Check the bulbs frequently and water thoroughly when dry. One inch below the surface (but not more than once a week until the bulbs begin active growth), or when the water level is more than an inch below the stones or glass in your vase.
  • Once a week, tug gently on the bulbs to see if they have begun to produce roots. When your tug meets with firm resistance (usually about 3 weeks after potting), move the container to a sunny window.
  • Keep a close eye on watering. Bulbs in active growth can dry out in just a day or two. Additional water should be added as fast as noticeable evaporation occurs. 
  • If planting in a vase or glass without a drainage hole, water with extra care: Bulbs sitting in a soggy pot will rot. Change water once a week if getting stagnant.
  • “Forced” Paperwhites tend to topple when in flower because they get quite tall in a short glass or small pot. You might want to stake them with a little wood post and some twine. Or just plant in a taller vase.
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A few more tips…

 

  • ​​To stagger your display, plant bulbs at 2-3 week intervals. Bulbs generally bloom 4-6 weeks after potting. If you were going to plant a single bulb in a glass container for a shower favor that you want in bloom for the event, do so four weeks prior to the shower.
  • So if you want blooms for your Thanksgiving table, start paperwhites mid-September. For Christmas blooms, start them in mid-November. For continuous flowering throughout the winter right up to spring, start the first pot of bulbs in late October and continue planting at 2-3 week intervals. ​
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When your paperwhites are done blooming, toss them in the compost pile. The bulbs sadly won’t bloom again. If staggering, store bulbs in a brown paper bag at room temperature in a dark place like a basement or garage. Open the bags to allow air to circulate around the bulbs. 

Did I mention how good paperwhites smell? Have you ever grown paperwhites or any other type of bulb indoors?

 

Secret code: bulb

67 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah Bridges says

    December 11, 2020 at 1:27 am

    I love plants but have never tried “outdoor” plants indoors before! Will have to try this.

    Reply
  2. Terry Poage says

    December 11, 2020 at 1:34 am

    Thanks for sharing this, I love paperwhite. They smell so good.

    Reply
  3. John Dickson says

    December 11, 2020 at 1:58 am

    Love this.

    Reply
  4. Gabrielle R says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:01 am

    What a great idea! This would look amazing on the shelf in my son’s nursery!

    Reply
  5. Phyllis Skoglund says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:06 am

    I have been buying pebbles from Walmart.

    Reply
  6. April B says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:23 am

    love the flowers in the house during winter, it helps me feel better till spring.

    Reply
  7. Hana Harman says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:33 am

    Thank you for great tips

    Reply
  8. john kennedy says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:54 am

    Thanks for reviewing these…like em.

    Reply
  9. Janis says

    December 11, 2020 at 3:09 am

    Beautiful flowers!

    Reply
    • Sandy Frink says

      December 11, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      I really like these

      Reply
  10. Betsy Pauzauskie says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:19 am

    I’ve gown FEW bulbs indoors. When I was a child in SE Kansas I experimented with planting a variety of bulbs, just like both my grandmothers did. Our yard was full of Daffodils & Easter Lilies, as well as peonies, forsythia, and quince which I’d divided and artistically placed; as well as iris. I even started red bud trees and mimosa trees from seed; which are still standing. And, I worked in our garden growing corn, potatoes, and more. Our cherry and apricot trees were a joy. In my 20s I grew many plants inside and decided plants were easier to grow outside. Mother nature helped water them outside and interesting plants could be chosen which were hardy in our growing zone. Children and vacations always required someone to care for inside plants when we traveled. So, gosh I must admit I’m aging; but, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, hawks, songbirds, deer, dogs, lizards, toads, snakes, frogs, cats, butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more are welcome to stop by our yard to get a drink, scratch for bugs, sip nectar, etc. A sprinkling system also helps mother nature out as well. Thus, with age indoor plants work best as accent pieces for me. Plus, living in SE Texas I have outdoor plants blooming year around. And, veggies & herbs are great grown outside too. Sorry for rambling. Eek!

    Reply
  11. cindy quisenberry says

    December 11, 2020 at 5:34 am

    These always remind me of Spring! I’m going to attempt these! Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Sandra McFadden says

    December 11, 2020 at 8:10 am

    I have never heard of paper whites thank you for sharing such great information.

    Reply
  13. Liz Kilcher says

    December 11, 2020 at 10:45 am

    they smell so good

    Reply
  14. Donna Evans says

    December 11, 2020 at 11:27 am

    I have never seen the paperwhite will have to check them out.

    Reply
  15. Richard Schott says

    December 11, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Those are very pretty.

    Reply
  16. Diane Warstler says

    December 11, 2020 at 12:59 pm

    A stunning little flower that makes me smile every time I look at it!

    Reply
  17. Susan L Craig says

    December 11, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    I love the look of paperwhites, but I don’t care for the scent.

    Reply
  18. Audrey says

    December 11, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    I love paperwhites

    Reply
  19. Jeffrey Smead says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    with 2 dogs, def. will be using this

    Reply
  20. Sheila gagnon says

    December 11, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    Paperwhites are my second favorite to Hyacinth

    Reply
  21. Rena T Walter says

    December 11, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Thank you for this information, I will pass it on to my daughter.

    Reply
  22. Chad Boyd says

    December 11, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    Maybe these tips can help me finally succeed in growing these!

    Reply
  23. Brittany Gilley says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    I’ll have to try this

    Reply
  24. DeeAnn S says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    I’ve never grown bulbs indoors. this might be the year to give it a try. Thanks.

    Reply
  25. dennis case says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    never tried this

    Reply
  26. Michelle Proper says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    I’ve grown many plants indoors but never tried this! Thanks!

    Reply
  27. Sam says

    December 11, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    Haven’t heard of paperwhites before. They are pretty

    Reply
  28. Alice Morris says

    December 11, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Always looks easy

    Reply
  29. Anita Kennett says

    December 11, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    Great idea,thanks

    Reply
  30. Melinda Barlow says

    December 11, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Have gotten as a gift but never tried. Going to do this next winter, getting ready to move in next couple of months.

    Reply
  31. Deb says

    December 11, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    I love doing this, so interesting to watch them grow and bloom

    Reply
  32. Cat Delgado says

    December 11, 2020 at 7:18 pm

    Forcing bulbs is a great way to get your gardening “fix” during the Winter season!

    Reply
  33. Debbie Welchert says

    December 11, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    I have never tried this before and I would love too. They are so beautiful…

    Reply
  34. Jennifer Phillips says

    December 11, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    This is so pretty done inside as in the pics. I have never even seen it done before.

    Reply
  35. Ken Ohl says

    December 11, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    these are beautiful love to give this a try

    Reply
  36. Cynthia says

    December 11, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    I hate the smell of Paperwhites.

    Reply
  37. Peggy Rydzewski says

    December 11, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    Love this idea. I will look into this.

    Reply
  38. Lisa Cress says

    December 11, 2020 at 11:53 pm

    These are beautiful!

    Reply
  39. Karen Jaras says

    December 12, 2020 at 1:37 am

    I have never tried this but I do grow many other plants indoor. I love these flowers.

    Reply
  40. Kathy Pierce says

    December 12, 2020 at 2:57 am

    I have never seen the Paperwhite, but it is beautiful. I will look on online for bulbs to try!

    Reply
  41. paula burnham says

    December 12, 2020 at 3:07 am

    Beautiful flowers

    Reply
  42. Michael Villani says

    December 12, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    great idea

    Reply