Paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus tazetta), commonly known as daffodil, produces delicate white and yellow flowers on long, slender stems. Garden centers typically force paperwhite bulbs to bloom, so if the bulbs are already flowering when you buy them, they will not bloom again in the same year. Gardeners often dispose of paperwhite bulbs after they finish blooming. With proper storage and care during the winter, however, your paperwhite bulbs will grow and flower again in two or three years.
Overwinter and Transplant Paperwhite Bulbs
Cut off the flowers and stems after the paperwhite bulbs finish blooming. Do not cut off any leaves.
Fill a 4- to 6-inch container halfway with potting soil. Plant the bulbs and cover with soil.
Place the bulbs in front of a sunny window during the winter. If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 8 or above, you may also set the bulbs outside for the winter.
Fertilize the bulbs once during the winter with a half-strength application of all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Transplant the bulbs to your garden after your area's last frost date in the spring. Select a site with well-drained soil and full sun during the morning. Plant bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches apart.
Fertilize the bulbs again using a full-strength application of houseplant fertilizer.
Allow the bulbs to develop stems and leaves. Paperwhite bulbs will not usually flower again in their second year.
Repeat this process each year until blooming occurs. It may take two or three more years for paperwhites to bloom again. After this time, you may also attempt to force the bulbs to bloom again indoors.
Force Paperwhite Indoors
Fill a 3- to 4-inch deep container with a 1- or 2-inch layer of stones, marbles or gravel. Use a container without drainage holes.
Place the paperwhite bulbs on the layer of stones. The bulbs do not mind crowding, so space them about 2 or 3 inches apart.
Cover the bulbs with enough stones to keep them in place.
Add water to cover the bottom half of the bulbs. Do not cover the tips of the bulbs with water.
Place the bulbs near a sunny window. Keep temperatures at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When flowering begins, take the bulbs out of direct sunlight.
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Things You Will Need
- Container, 4- to 6-inch
- Potting soil
- Houseplant fertilizer
- Container, 3- to 4-inch
- Stones, gravel or marbles
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