Paperwhites are the easiest holiday bulbs to grow indoors. Set the bulbs on pebbles, add water until it just touches their base, and they bloom in a few weeks with no chilling at all. Iowa State University Extension recommends 2 to 3 weeks in a cool, dark spot at 45 to 50°F for roots, then a sunny window at 60 to 70°F. To keep the stems from flopping, Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program found that a 4 to 6 percent alcohol solution makes them about a third shorter with full-size flowers.
Here's how to plant them, how long they take, how to time them for the holidays, the alcohol trick step by step, pet safety, and what to do once the flowers fade.
How to grow paperwhites in water and pebbles
Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) don't need a cold period, so unlike tulips or hyacinths you can plant them the day you buy them. Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program notes they grow in pebbles, gravel, marbles, glass beads or potting soil.
- Pick a container with no drainage hole. Clemson Cooperative Extension suggests a decorative bowl at least 2 to 3 inches deep.
- Add pebbles. Fill the bowl with pebbles, pea gravel or glass chips to about 1 inch below the rim, as Clemson Extension describes.
- Set the bulbs close together, pointed end up. Nestle them in so pebbles cover the bottom quarter of each bulb. Clemson Extension uses the gravel to anchor them; Mississippi State University Extension covers all but the top ½ to 1 inch.
- Add water until it touches the bottom of the bulbs, no higher. Iowa State University Extension says to keep it at that level the whole time. Clemson Extension warns that too much water makes the bulbs rot.
- Give them a cool, dark start. Iowa State suggests 2 to 3 weeks at 45 to 50°F in the dark for roots. Clemson Extension gives a cool 50 to 60°F spot in low light until the shoots appear.
- Move them to a sunny window once the shoots are about 3 inches tall, at 60 to 70°F, per Iowa State University Extension.
Check the water every couple of days. A warm room and a full set of roots drink a shallow bowl dry faster than you'd expect.
Growing paperwhites in soil instead
Potting soil works too. Plant the bulbs with their tips above the surface and keep the soil moist but not wet, as Iowa State and Mississippi State Extension describe. A pot of bulbs packed tight dries out unevenly, so check below the surface. Our 3-in-1 Soil Meter has two probes about 7 inches long that read moisture in the root zone on an analog dial, no app needed. For potting mix, browse our soil care and plant health collection.
How long do paperwhites take to bloom?
Paperwhites usually bloom 3 to 6 weeks after planting. Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program says the flowers usually open within 2 to 3 weeks of planting. Clemson Extension says buds usually show in 3 to 4 weeks. Mississippi State University Extension plans on about six weeks when the bulbs get two cool, dark weeks first.
Temperature makes most of the difference. A cool start gives a slower, sturdier plant; a warm living room speeds them up and stretches the stems. Iowa State University Extension notes that the yellow variety 'Grand Soleil d'Or' takes 1 to 2 weeks longer than the white ones.
When to plant paperwhites for Christmas
For flowers at Christmas, plant paperwhites in mid to late November, about four to six weeks ahead. If your house is cool or you give them the dark rooting period, start closer to six weeks out; in a warm room, four is often enough.
For flowers all winter, plant a new bowl every two weeks. Clemson Extension says plantings spaced about two weeks apart from mid-October can keep paperwhites flowering indoors from Thanksgiving until late March. Keep the unplanted bulbs somewhere cool, dry and dark until their turn.
Why are my paperwhites so tall and floppy?
Paperwhites flop because they stretch toward the light in a warm room. Iowa State University Extension says they can reach 18 to 20 inches, which is why so many end up tied with string. Three things help: a bright, sunny window during growth, a cool room (especially at night), and the alcohol trick below.
Mississippi State University Extension adds that moving the bowl at night to a cooler space, such as an unheated garage or porch that stays above freezing, makes the flowers last longer. Once they open, Iowa State suggests taking them out of direct sun to stretch the bloom.
Paperwhites and alcohol: how to keep them short
Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program tested this in a study supervised by Bill Miller. Watering paperwhites with a 4 to 6 percent alcohol solution made the stems and leaves about one-third shorter. The flowers stayed as large, fragrant and long-lasting as usual. The researchers think the alcohol causes mild water stress.
- Plant as usual in plain water.
- Wait about a week, until roots are growing and the green shoot is 1 to 2 inches above the bulb.
- Pour off the water and replace it with the alcohol solution, keeping the same level. Cornell notes that skipping the pour-off still works, but dilutes the effect.
- Mix it right. With 80-proof (40 percent) gin, vodka, whiskey, rum or tequila, use 1 part spirit to 7 parts water. With 70 percent rubbing alcohol, use 1 part to 10 or 11 parts water.
- Top up with the same mix, not plain water.
Don't go stronger. Cornell says problems show up above about 10 percent alcohol and 25 percent is "dramatically toxic." Skip beer and wine: their sugars cause major problems for the plants.
Are paperwhites poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists narcissus, paperwhites included, as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating them can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhea, and large amounts can cause seizures, low blood pressure, tremors and irregular heart rhythms. The ASPCA notes that the bulbs are the most poisonous part, so keep bowls and unplanted bulbs out of reach of pets and children.
If you want holiday color around a curious cat, compare the options in our guides to poinsettia care and Christmas cactus care.
What to do with paperwhites after they bloom
Compost them. Iowa State University Extension says paperwhites can't be forced again and aren't winter-hardy outdoors, and Clemson Extension says they are best discarded after forcing. Rinse the pebbles and the bowl, let them dry, and they're ready for next year's bulbs.
If you'd like bulbs that come back, plant hardy daffodils outdoors in fall instead: our guide to planting fall bulbs covers timing and depth. For another indoor bulb that blooms with almost no effort, see our guide to the waxed amaryllis.
Frequently asked questions
Do paperwhites need to be chilled?
No. Paperwhites don't need a cold period, according to Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program and Clemson Extension, which is why they're so easy to grow indoors. A cool, dark start at 45 to 50°F for 2 to 3 weeks still helps by building roots and keeping stems shorter.
How much water do paperwhites need?
Only enough to touch the bottom of the bulbs. Iowa State University Extension says to keep water at that level throughout, and Clemson Extension warns that bulbs sitting in deeper water rot. Check every couple of days and top up as the roots drink it.
Why do paperwhites smell bad?
Most paperwhites have a strong, musky scent that some people love and others can't stand. Iowa State University Extension describes most varieties as musky, while the yellow 'Grand Soleil d'Or' smells sweet and fruity. Try one in a cool room or porch if the scent bothers you.
Can I use vodka on paperwhites?
Yes. Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program recommends 1 part 80-proof vodka, gin or similar spirit to 7 parts water, added once shoots are 1 to 2 inches tall. It makes plants about a third shorter with normal flowers. Don't use beer or wine.
How long do paperwhite flowers last?
It depends mostly on temperature: warm rooms finish them fast. To make the flowers last, Iowa State University Extension suggests moving blooming plants out of direct sun, and Mississippi State University Extension suggests a cooler spot that stays above freezing at night.
Can you plant paperwhites outside after they bloom?
Usually it isn't worth it. Iowa State University Extension says paperwhites aren't winter-hardy outdoors and can't be forced again, and Clemson Extension recommends discarding them after forcing. Buy fresh bulbs each fall and grow hardy daffodils outside instead.
