What to Do With Paperwhite Bulbs?

Identification

• The paperwhite narcissus, a bulb with tiny cup-like flowers on a thin stem, originated in the Mediterranean region. Unlike most bulbs, it does not need a cold period to flower and can be quickly forced indoors for color and, in most cases, a heavy fragrance. Most varieties are white or a combination of white and yellow.

How to Force

• Choose firm bulbs to plant in groups of three or five, depending on the size of the pot you have chosen. They can be grown in any medium from marbles to pebbles to a commercial potting mix. The medium just acts as a support for the bulbs, which contain everything they need to grow. Cover the bulbs half way up with the chosen medium, leaving the top half of the bulb exposed.

Watering

• In a decorative pot without drainage, maintain the water at a level which just touches the base of the bulb where the roots will develop. In pots with drainage, water as often as needed to keep the medium moist.

Placement

• Keep the pot in a cool, bright room until the shoots are 1 to 2 inches tall. Then move them to a warmer location. They should begin to bloom four to eight weeks after planting.

After Bloom

• If you live in climate zones 8 to 11, you can plant the bulbs outdoors after the blooms have faded. If you live in a colder climate, discard the bulbs after blooming, as they cannot be forced again.