With holiday plants abounding these days, it is hard to miss the delicate and airy blooms of paperwhites (Narcissus spp.).  These blooming bulbs are a common holiday gift that brings a hint of the growing season into our winter abodes. 

Due to their ease of growth, they are commonly used for “forcing” indoors. Forcing bulbs is a common practice used to create living flower bouquets by inducing growth from a dormant bulb. 

Unlike many other bulbs, paperwhites don’t require a chilling period.  Simply expose them to light and provide some water as roots develop to create a flowering display that lasts two to three weeks. Unfortunately, paperwhites are only hardy to Zone 8, so they are considered an annual in our area and are not suitable for planting outdoors. 

What are Paperwhites?

These bulbous, blooming plants are relatives to another flower that actually is hardy in our area, daffodils (Narcissus spp).  It’s pretty easy to see the family resemblance if you take a close look at the flower structure.  Each has five petals surrounding a showy cup, which is the bowl-shaped center of the flower, also known as the corona.  The colorful corona is probably the most recognizable feature of daffodil flowers, adding a familiar flare to the smaller flower structures of paperwhites.

Both daffodils and paperwhites fall into the genus Narcissus, with the common name  “paperwhites,” typically referring to N. papyraceus, although N. tazetta also goes by the same name.  As bulbs go, daffodils are generally larger in size, although bulb size can vary greatly by variety.

Around central Illinois, paperwhites are hitting the shelves as the holiday season progresses.  As you’re shopping for that perfect bulb to take home, be careful to select firm bulbs that look healthy.  Avoid bulbs with sunken spots or discoloration.  Since no chilling period is required, some bulbs may start to develop green shoots in the store.  If possible, try to find bulbs with no growth or a minimal amount. 

Growing Paperwhites

Bulbs can be planted in a wide variety of containers, from attractive flat trays designed for bulb growth to just about anything you may find around the house.  Be sure that the container selected has drain holes and can accommodate at least 2-3 inches of root growth.  Otherwise, the blooming stems may be pushed up out of the container as their roots grow downward.

Oftentimes, paperwhites are sold this time of year in a bulb vase with water already fueling the developing shoots or even in full bloom. This is by far the easiest way to ascertain a living flower bouquet for their holidays, but watching the bulbs develop is half the fun for me.

Paperwhite bulbs can planted in a standard soilless potting mix, needing no additional fertilizer or nutrients as they come already packed with everything needed safely stored inside the bulb structure.

Since they require no nutrients, paperwhites can also be grown in water alone in a bulb vase or any container that allows the roots to grow downward into the water but keeps the bulb from becoming submerged.  For a decorative flare, many add pebbles or small rocks to the water in a clear vase. 

I really like the use of clear vessels and water since it allows for easy observation of the rapidly developing roots. Both kids and adults alike will marvel at the speed at which roots and shoots develop, culminating in the delicate blooms. 

Common Challenges

Perhaps the only downside to these splendid, dainty flowers is the weakness of their stems under the weight of the blooms.  They often tend to flop over and may require some kind of support mechanism as they reach full size.

In addition, some folks detest the strong scent of paperwhite blooms, although I have always thought it reminds me of most other floral fragrances.  I’ve heard of the preference for white aroma being compared to cilantro, with some loving it and some hating it.

If you’ve never tried growing paperwhites, perhaps this is the year.  I highly encourage growing them for their beauty and I’ll let you be the judge on fragrance.