Paperwhite Bulbs

Grow your own paperwhite bulbs at home

Just when your flower garden dies back for the year, you might be thinking you have to resort to store-bought, overpriced cut flower bunches shipped from who-knows-where to grace your dinner table for the holidays. But did you know that you have another option? What if you could grow miniature narcissus, inside the warmth of your own home?

There’s hardly an easier flower to grow than paperwhites. Paperwhites are a variety of Narcissus that are generally grown inside for fragrant winter blooms. Paperwhite bulbs can be planted outside in autumn in mild climates—like hardiness zones 8 through 11—for winter blooms. Gardeners in all other zones will want to grow paperwhites indoors.

How to grow the best paperwhites

Paperwhites are petite plants that grow well in soilless vases and containers. Paperwhites might reach up to 16 inches tall, so these tiny blooms are just perfect for countertops and tight spaces. To grow paperwhites indoors, fill a vase or container with a couple inches of gravel and place paperwhite bulbs, pointed tip up, on top of the gravel. The bulbs may touch, but don’t allow water to rise about the base of the bulbs, or the paperwhites will rot. You may add gravel around and between bulbs to keep the bulbs from moving, but be sure to leave the tops of the bulbs exposed. When bulbs have rooted, move the container to a sunny location and the paperwhites will take off! Stagger bulb plantings every couple of weeks for continuous blooms all winter long.

Giving paperwhites as gifts

That’s it! No mess of potting soil, no worries about pests. Your very own hydroponics system and flower arrangement all in one. Since paperwhites are so hassle-free, you should probably buy them for every room, and maybe a couple more. Wouldn’t little vases of paperwhites make the perfect gift?

Eden Brothers has three varieties of paperwhite bulbs, and it’s difficult to settle on just one. Be sure to order a few extras to keep your home in fragrant blooms until spring.

For more information about planting, growing, and harvesting paperwhite bulbs, see the Paperwhite Bulbs Planting Guide.