QA

Question: How To Plant Paperwhites Indoors

How do you plant paperwhites in soil indoors?

Grow paperwhites indoors in a shallow pot or bowl (3-4 inches deep) without drainage holes. Fill the pot with small, loose stones. Gently place upright paperwhite bulbs into the container, pressing them into the stones. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bulbs.

Do paperwhites come back every year?

Paperwhites are often found in homes, blooming with starry white flowers that help dispel the cobwebs of winter. Sometimes if you plant them outside in USDA zone 10, you may get another bloom the next year but usually paperwhite bulb reblooming will take up to three years.

What do you do with bulbs after they bloom indoors?

Clip off dead blooms, leaving the foliage intact. Set containers in a sunny window indoors, or a bright, but protected spot outside and continue watering as usual. Allow the soil to dry out completely once the leaves have withered and died. Set the pots in a cool, dry place in a basement, garage, or shed.

When should I start my paperwhites for Christmas?

When to plant paperwhites for Christmas blooms The best time to plant your paperwhites for Christmas blooms would be 4-6 weeks before you want them at their best. If you want them blooming in early December for the start of the Christmas party season, plant in mid to late October.

Can I plant paperwhites in potting soil?

The pure white blooms of the paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus) add an elegant touch to winter and spring indoor containers when grown in potting soil. Paperwhites grow as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, so you can move them outdoors after enjoying them inside.

Can you plant paperwhites in dirt?

Planting Instructions For Paperwhite Bulbs Paperwhite bulbs do not need deep soil to grow, so you have many decorative options for bowls, dishes, vases, and flower pots for planting Paperwhite bulbs. Fill a pot or dish halfway with soil or gravel. You’ll want at least 2 inches of soil or gravel for drainage.

What do you do with a paperwhite after it blooms?

Keep Them in Pots About six weeks after the paperwhite blooms, turn the pot on its side and store it somewhere where it will not freeze, such as a garage or basement. In the fall, turn the pot upright, place it in the sun, water the bulb thoroughly and continue watering until the paperwhite blooms again in the spring.

Can I plant my paperwhites outside?

Like most bulbs that are forced for indoor flowers, paperwhites are usually tossed out after they finish blooming. In warm climates, where temperatures don’t go below 20°F, paperwhite bulbs can be planted outdoors in late fall and will bloom in late winter. Plant the bulbs about 6″ deep and 4″ apart.

Will paperwhites rebloom indoors?

Paperwhites can be grown indoors and forced to bloom during the holiday season. With the proper care, you can save and preserve paperwhite bulbs to bloom again. However, they do require time to replenish their energy stores, and may not re-bloom for two or three years. Tamp the soil down around the bulb.

Can I leave bulbs in pots after flowering?

You may keep the bulbs in pots after flowering, but it is a good idea to introduce some new soil with all its nutrients and fertilize again. You may also remove the bulbs, let them air dry and put them in a paper bag in a location with the proper chilling requirements until you are ready to force them again.

Do you water bulbs after planting in pots?

DON’T forget that plants in pots and containers need a considerable amount more watering than those in the garden. During really hot days water at least once a day.

How do I dig up my paperwhites?

How to Dig Up and Transfer Narcissus Insert the tines of a handheld cultivating fork into the soil around the perimeter of each narcissus clump. Pull the bulbs out of the loosened soil. Twist the smaller bulblets until they break from the large mother bulb. Prepare the new garden bed.

How do I stop my paperwhites from falling over?

Here are four ways to keep your paperwhites from falling over. Support Them With Sticks. The tried-and-true method for keeping paperwhites from falling over is to support them with a stick or with multiple sticks. Support Them With Ribbon. Support Them With A Tall Straight-Sided Vase. Stunt Their Growth With Booze.

How do you plant paperwhites in a jar?

Instructions Add 2 to 4 Inches of Stones. Fill the bottom of your glass jar, vase, or bowl with about 2 to 4 inches of stones, marbles, or sea glass. Place Your Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs. Place your bulbs close together on top of the stones. Add Water to Your Bulbs.

Can paperwhites be planted in water?

Grow paperwhites in water rather than soil. It works just as well, and weighing the bulbs down with stones helps keep the flowers from tipping over. Washed gravel works fine, as do marble chips, polished river stones, tumbled glass or even marbles.