How to Keep Narcissus Indoors

Fill the bottom third of a shallow bowl or garden container with gravel or other small, clean stones. Rest the narcissus bulbs on the gravel, with the pointed end of the bulbs facing up. Place the bulbs with sides touching and fill the bowl with as many bulbs as will fit. Do not press or mash the bulbs into place, but use as many as possible to create the best display. The quantity of bulbs needed will depend on the width of the bowl or container, but use at least six to seven bulbs. Fill in around the narcissus bulbs with additional gravel to hold them upright. Leave the top of the bulbs exposed.

Pour water into the bottom of the container or bowl just until the bulb ends touch water. Do not over-fill the container or cover the top half of the bulbs with water. Too much water will cause the bulbs to rot.

Place the container in a cool, dark area that stays between 50 to 60 degrees, if possible. Check the bulbs every few days to be certain the water level still touches the bottom of the bulbs to encourage root growth. Also check for leaves sprouting from the top of the bulbs. This process takes approximately one to two weeks.

Move the container of bulbs to a sunny location near a window, after the leaves reach approximately three inches tall. Narcissus bulbs grow and bloom best in a cool room with temperatures in the range of 60 to 70 degrees.

Relocate the narcissus plant away from the sunny window once it begins to flower, after about five to six weeks. The flowers will last longer in bright light instead of direct sunlight. The bulbs often continue to flower for several weeks. Keep the water level at the same height so the bulbs remain consistently moist during the growing and flowering period.