How to Care for a Paperwhite Narcissus Bulb After Blooming

Paperwhites add so much charm to the home's interior during the gloomiest time of year. A plant in the Narcissus genus, paperwhites are typically forced into bloom, the fragrant flowers enjoyed while they last and then discarded. Paperwhites grow in soil or just plain water. Those that are forced in water should be discarded. If grown in soil – good news – the bulb is easy to save to bloom again.

Small pruning shears or sharp scissors
Well-drained potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Water the paperwhite narcissus as you did during the blooming season – enough water to keep the soil slightly moist without rotting the bulb. Keep it in the same light as when it was in bloom. This helps the bulb build up the nutrients it spent producing the blooms.
- 2
  Wait until the foliage begins to brown to cut back on watering. Do this gradually, allowing the top inch of soil to dry before watering, then the top 2 inches, until you aren't watering at all. This forces the paperwhite narcissus bulb to go into dormancy.
- 3
  Use small pruning shears or sharp scissors to cut the foliage to 1 inch in height when it dies back. Place the entire pot in an area that remains dark and dry.
- 4
  Dig up the bulb in the fall. If it is soft or mushy, throw it away. Otherwise, plant it in a pot of fresh, well-drained potting mix, water until the soil is moist and leave it somewhere warm.

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