How to Get Paperwhites to Bloom Again

Forced paperwhite bulbs (Narcissus), alongside amaryllis and hyacinths, cheer up those dreary winter windowsills with patches of springtime. In most cases, however, they won't live to see the next season. Temperatures just above 32 degrees Fahrenheit kill the plants, making them unsuitable to grow in many North American gardens. Paperwhites don't thrive indoors, and the windowsill won't provide the cool temperatures the bulbs need for a dormant rest period. If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, plant the paperwhites outdoors; you may see them again in spring.

Paperwhite bulbs
Trowel
Soil amendments (if necessary)

Instructions

- 1
  Choose forced bulbs in soil-filled pots rather than bulbs forced in water or set among rocks. The soil-grown bulbs regain some energy in the bulb, but the water-grown bulbs are severely depleted.
- 2
  Place the paperwhites in a bright, sunlit area indoors until after your area's last average freeze date. Keep the soil moist. If the leaves yellow, don't panic; paperwhite leaves die back naturally. Reduce watering dormant bulbs, but don't let the soil dry out.
- 3
  Plant the bulbs 6 inches deep in rich soil, keeping any green leaves intact. Again, keep the bed well watered, reduce water when the leaves die back, and don't allow the bed to dry out. Mark the site to prevent disturbing the bulbs after the leaves fade.
- 4
  Watch the marked area in late winter or early spring for signs of life. The weakened bulbs may send up spikes of foliage but no flowers. The leaves are feeding the bulb, and you can expect a show of flowers the following year.

How to Dig Up and Replant Narcissus Bulbs

How to Care for Narcissus in Rocks & Water

Bulbs