When should I plant my paperwhites?
Paperwhites can be planted outdoors anytime from fall through winter in zones 8 to 10, with flowers arriving in the spring. However, those in cooler climates can also enjoy the blossoms by forcing indoors! We recommend planting a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks from October to January for continuous indoor blooms. Even in warm climates, paperwhites are usually treated as annuals. The bulbs require hot, dry summers in order to produce a good show of flowers the following year. For this reason, they are considered perennials only in Southern California and parts of Texas.Paperwhites are popular indoor plants make great Christmas presents. Growing them is as easy as putting the bulbs in water and waiting. The fragrant flowers bloom within about 3 weeks of planting, for almost instant gratification.Water them deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the summer dormancy period, reduce watering to allow the bulbs to rest and prevent them from rotting.Paperwhite Re-Blooming Take them out of the soil, put them in a paper bag, and keep them in a cool, dry location until the fall. Then you can re-pot your Paperwhite bulbs all over! This process usually only works for three or four seasons before the bulbs become unviable.
Are paperwhites hard to grow?
The bulbs may be grown outdoors in warm climates (zones 8-11), but are also incredibly easy to grow indoors. There’s no need to pre-chill paperwhites. Just give them a little water and a bright window. planting paperwhites outdoors in warm climates plant them in the fall as you would other spring-flowering bulbs. They look especially attractive in groups planted in containers or the garden. When planting in containers, use miracle-gro® potting mix. Use miracle-gro® garden soil for flowers when planting in-ground.Paperwhites can be planted outdoors anytime from fall through winter in zones 8 to 10, with flowers arriving in the spring. However, those in cooler climates can also enjoy the blossoms by forcing indoors! We recommend planting a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks from October to January for continuous indoor blooms.For planting outdoors, buy paperwhites in bulk. Some of our bulk paperwhites are 15/16 bulbs and some are 17+ bulbs. Either will work outdoors. You can plant outdoors anytime in the fall or early winter and still enjoy beautiful spring blooms.Try growing paperwhites in water rather than soil. It works just as well. Use stones to anchor the bulbs and keep the flowers from tipping over. Washed gravel works well, as do marble chips, polished river stones, tumbled glass or even marbles.
Can paperwhites grow in just water?
Paperwhite Narcissus will grow happily and bloom with nothing more than water and stones or pebbles. Growing Paperwhites in water: To plant your bulbs in any our our soilless kits, begin by carefully placing a layer of stones or pebbles to a depth of about 2 in a small vase or about 4 in a larger vase. When forcing paperwhite narcissus in bowls, partially fill the container with washed gravel or stones. Place the bulbs on the gravel or stones. Then place additional gravel or stones around the bulbs, leaving the tips (noses) of the bulbs exposed. Add water to the bowl until it touches the bottom of the bulbs.Salad bowls, old pots, jelly moulds all work well, their domesticity seem to suit the emerging bulbs. Paperwhite narcissi don’t need a chilling period – so they are not hidden away – but can be appreciated in all stages of growth, so it is nice to plant them into a pretty container.Daffodils make gardening easy. Once planted, there is nothing left to do: these bulbs can stay right where they are and produce flowers year after year. What could be better? Well, you even get more flowers year after year!The paperwhite narcissus is a popular bulb for indoor forcing in the winter months. Unlike most other daffodils, paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) do not require a cold period. They are simply planted in pots with soil, or even more commonly, in dishes or bowls with gravel, marbles or other decorative material.The foliage of daffodils can tolerate cold temperatures well. Occasionally some damage may be seen when freezing temperatures hit spring bulbs later in the spring season while they are fully emerged and in bud or bloom. Overall, even flowers can tolerate light freezes (low 30s to upper 20s °F) and even a little snow.
Do paperwhites grow back every year?
Even in warm climates, paperwhites are usually treated as annuals. The bulbs require hot, dry summers in order to produce a good show of flowers the following year. For this reason, they are considered perennials only in Southern California and parts of Texas. The stems will naturally grow towards the light. Bulbs will bloom in 3-4 weeks. Paperwhite stems can become very tall and leggy as they stretch towards the light and sometimes flop. To keep the stems from flopping you can keep the stems shorter and stockier by giving them little nip of alcohol.Once the bulbs have flowered, it can be difficult to get another bloom in the same season. 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.In warmer rooms, you may find that your bulbs bloom more quickly. Be sure to water your paperwhites every few days, but avoid leaving them waterlogged since the bulbs will rot. You can expect your paperwhites to bloom 4-6 weeks after planting depending on the temperature of your growing space.
How long do paperwhites last indoors?
Bulbs- when grown in a relatively cool room (60° to 65°F), your flower display can last for up to a month. In warmer rooms, you may find that your bulbs bloom more quickly. Be sure to water your paperwhites every few days, but avoid leaving them waterlogged since the bulbs will rot. Paperwhite bulbs can be forced to bloom again, but their performance may vary; to increase the chances of reblooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place or plant them outside. Paperwhites will bloom every year.