How to Grow Paperwhite Plants Indoors

Paperwhite Plants Indoors

I’ve been interested in growing fall bulbs in my new home. I’ve written articles on how to grow alliums, how to grow hyacinths, and how to plant tulips. I’m looking forward to seeing them bloom in the spring — but for now, I have indoor bulbs to cheer me up. While it’s possible to force many bulbs to bloom indoors, it can be tricky. However, growing paperwhite plants indoors is actually quite easy. In fact, you don’t even need soil. You can do it in just water and rocks (similar to the LECA propagation process I use for houseplant propagation). In this article, I’ll show you the process for both methods.

Paperwhites 101

“Paperwhite” is the common name given to the flowering perennial bulbous plant Narcissus papyrus. They are closely related to daffodils and are native to the Mediterranean region and parts of North Africa. It has naturalized in various places around the world, including some U.S. states.

Paperwhite plants grow from bulbs, sprouting tall green stems that can reach a foot tall. They then bloom in clusters of fragrant white flowers. Unlike some other bulbous plants, paperwhite plants do not require a long cold period to grow. After planting the bulbs, paperwhite plants grow very quickly and bloom within a month.

Growing in Water

Let’s talk about growing paperwhite plants indoors in water first. Because that’s the easiest way to do it. All you need is a container, rocks, and water.

Step 1: Gather the Materials

I didn’t want to buy anything for this, so I decided to use rocks from our yard. This ended up being the perfect activity when my daughter’s school was unexpectedly closed. Gathering the rocks was a chore, and then I set her up on a table with soapy water, a towel, and a scrub brush to clean the rocks. Then I dug out a clear glass container.

Step 2: Add a Layer of Rocks

Next add a layer of rocks to your container. I used an old candle jar and a cute serving dish that my grandmother gave me.

One thing to remember is that these flowers are tall and flexible. So using a tall, cylindrical container (unlike the containers I used) will help stabilize the tall stems. However, all you need is a container that is deep enough for the water to pool and the bulbs.

Step 3: Fill Around the Bulbs and Add Water

Next, add the bulbs root side down, with the pointed end down. Fill the bulb with more rocks to keep it stable. Now all that’s left is to add water to the container. Make sure to only add water to the reservoir area of ​​the rocks below the bulb. The water should not actually come towards the bulb. If the bulb is submerged, it may rot. Don’t worry – the roots will grow and find water! Renew the water as needed as it evaporates or is used, and place the plant in a bright, sunny spot, such as a windowsill.

Growing in Soil

Also, if you want to try growing paperwhites indoors in soil, here are the steps for that. They are very similar.

Step 1: Add a Few Inches of Soil

First, fill a container with a few inches of light potting soil. If the soil you use is too heavy, it will rot the bulb. Container gardening or houseplant mix will work well.

Step 2: Add the Bulb & More Soil

Next, add the bulb with the sharp side facing up. Fill the soil around the bulb, leaving the tip exposed. Water the bulb well; paperwhites like moist soil.

Step 3: Keep it in a Bright Spot

Keep the planted bulb in a bright spot and keep it under observation. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil are dry. Overwatering the bulb will lead to rot.

Keeping the Stems Upright

I mentioned that paper white plants can be tall and top heavy, causing them to tilt. One way to prevent this is to use a tall cylindrical container. You can tie them together with ribbon or twine to keep them upright. However, a better trick is to use alcohol. If you are growing your bulbs in water, once the bulbs start to sprout, drain the water and replace the 1 part alcohol solution with 1 part water. Use something like vodka or gin because it is clear. You will end up with 40% All you need is one with an alcohol content.

This solution will prevent the growth of your paperwhites. The goal is to prevent growth so that the stems are shorter and less likely to fall off, but not so much that it kills the plant or prevents flowering. Another way to prevent paperwhites from growing is to place them in a dark place for 1-2 weeks when they are a few inches tall. I tried this a few years ago and the results were great. I still got beautiful flowers, but the stems were much shorter. See below!

Bulb Care After Blooming

Once they bloom, the papery white flowers typically last about two weeks. After the plant has bloomed, let the leaves die back naturally. They will shrivel up when they are ready. In the meantime, they are gathering valuable energy and storing it in the bulbs. Once they are completely dead, you can remove all the leaves and old roots. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place. However, be aware that the bulbs may start to fall off after a few years, especially if you don’t let the leaves die back completely before harvesting and storing the bulbs.