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Growing Paperwhites

A Guide to Growing Narcissus ‘Ziva’ Indoors

Paperwhites are among the easiest bulbs to force indoors. Unlike many spring-flowering bulbs, they don't require a cold treatment. With the right growing conditions, they can produce beautiful, fragrant flowers in your home.

Two Ways to Grow Paperwhites
1. In Potting Mix

• Choose a container with drainage holes.
• Fill with a good-quality potting mix.
• Position bulbs close together, about ½ inch apart, with the pointed tips facing up.
• Cover the roots and lower portion of each bulb, leaving approximately the top quarter exposed.
• Water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain.
• Keep the mix moist but never soggy.
  Potting mix provides support for the bulbs and can help keep the arrangement stable as the plants grow.

2. In Pebbles & Water

• Choose a watertight container without drainage holes.
• Add approximately 1–3 inches of pebbles or stones to the bottom.
• Set bulbs on the stones, pointed ends up, about ½ inch apart. Add more stones around the bulbs to help hold them upright.
• Add water until it just reaches the bottom of the bulbs.
• As roots develop, maintain enough water for the roots to reach it while keeping the bulbs themselves above the waterline.
  Remember: Roots in water. Bulbs above water. Keeping the bulbs out of standing water helps reduce the risk of rot.

Getting Started: A Cool, Dark Period
A cool, dark start can encourage root development before the plants put much energy into top growth.

• Place newly planted bulbs in a cool, dark location, ideally around 50–60°F.
• Check periodically for root development and emerging shoots.
• A dark period of roughly 1–2 weeks is often used, but it isn't a strict requirement.
• Once roots are established and shoots begin growing, move the bulbs into bright light. Don't keep growing shoots in darkness simply to complete a set number of days.
  

Paperwhites generally take about 4–6 weeks from planting to bloom, although bulb maturity, temperature, and growing conditions affect the timing.

Choosing the Right Location
Paperwhites need bright light and cool temperatures for sturdier growth and longer-lasting flowers.

• East-facing window: Often a good choice because it provides gentle morning sunlight.
• North-facing window: Can work if the area is sufficiently bright.
• West-facing window: May work, but watch for strong afternoon sun that heats the glass and surrounding area. A sunny windowsill can become too warm, even in cooler weather. Place plants near a bright window, but move them back if the bulbs or foliage become noticeably warm.

Ideal growing temperature

• Aim for approximately 60–65°F when possible. Warmer conditions, around 65–70°F, may speed flowering but can encourage taller growth and floppier stems.
• Once flowers open, move the plants to a bright, cooler location away from direct sun and heat sources to help extend the flowering display. What About Air Circulation? Normal indoor air movement is generally sufficient. A fan is not necessary.
• Leave a few inches between containers so air can move around the foliage.
  
• Keep plants away from heating vents, radiators, and fireplaces.
• Avoid enclosed containers or plastic coverings that trap moisture.
• Water the potting mix rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage.
• Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.

How to Reduce the “Paperwhite Flop”
Paperwhites naturally grow tall, sometimes reaching 18–20 inches. Warm conditions and insufficient light can
encourage stretched growth and floppy stems.

To encourage sturdier plants:

• Start bulbs in a cool location.
• Provide bright light as shoots develop.
• Keep growing temperatures moderate rather than warm.
• Maintain appropriate water levels; don't leave bulbs submerged.
• Choose a stable container that supports the bulbs securely.
  

If stems become top-heavy, stakes or decorative supports can help. The Optional Alcohol Technique (This technique is best established for paperwhites grown in water and stones.) Cornell University researchers found that properly diluted alcohol can reduce paperwhite foliage and flower-stalk height, helping to reduce flopping.

How to try it:
1. Start bulbs in plain water.
2. Wait until roots have developed and green shoots are approximately 1–2 inches tall.
3. Replace the plain water with a properly diluted alcohol solution.
4. For 80-proof, unflavored liquor, mix 1 part liquor with 7 parts water. This produces approximately a 5% alcohol solution.
5. Use the diluted solution for subsequent watering, maintaining the appropriate water level.
If using a pebble container, a turkey baster or large pipette can help remove standing water without disturbing the roots. Avoid lifting or tipping the bulbs.

Important: Never use undiluted alcohol. Avoid beer and wine, which contain sugars and other compounds that can interfere with growing. Stronger solutions can damage plants. For bulbs grown in potting mix, stick with cool temperatures and bright light rather than attempting to flush alcohol through the soil. The alcohol technique is optional. Good growing conditions are the foundation for success.

A Few More Tips for Success

• Choose healthy bulbs. Look for firm, plump bulbs without soft spots, damage, or mold.
• Keep the arrangement stable. A heavy, wide container can help prevent tipping as the plants grow. Potting mix also provides more support than pebbles and water.
• Protect the flowers once they open. A bright, cooler location away from direct sun, heating vents, and radiators can help the blooms last longer.
• Want flowers over a longer period? Plant additional bulbs every 1–2 weeks rather than planting everything at once. This can help stagger flowering, although exact bloom dates will vary.
• Skip the fertilizer. Paperwhite bulbs contain stored reserves to support their initial growth and flowering. Fertilizer isn't necessary for forcing and won't reliably prevent floppy stems.
  Pinterest vs. Reality: Cranberries can add a festive touch to a holiday arrangement, but they aren't a good substitute for stones when supporting bulbs in water for several weeks.
• Use pebbles or stones to support the bulbs.
  
• Keep decorative cranberries above the waterline where possible.
• Avoid allowing decorative fruit to sit in water for extended periods, as it can deteriorate.

Your Paperwhite Checklist
☐ Choose healthy, firm bulbs.
☐ Decide between potting mix or pebbles and water.
☐ Keep bulbs above the waterline when using pebbles.
☐ Begin in a cool location while roots develop.
☐ Move shoots into bright, indirect light as they grow.
☐ Maintain cool growing temperatures when possible.
☐ Allow space around plants for normal air movement.
☐ Consider the optional alcohol technique for water-grown bulbs.
☐ Add support if plants become top-heavy.
☐ Enjoy the fragrant flowers!

One Last Tip
Paperwhites are primarily grown for their indoor display. After flowering, bulbs forced indoors are generally depleted and may not flower well again indoors. In Connecticut, they are not reliably hardy outdoors through winter, so don't count on replanting them in the garden for future blooms. Keep it simple: healthy bulbs + cool temperatures + bright light + careful watering = beautiful paperwhites.