Indoor Paperwhites: Fun, Elegant and Easy
There's something magical about walking into a room in the dead of winter and being greeted by the sweet, heady scent of Paperwhites in bloom. These cheerful narcissus are one of the easiest bulbs you can grow indoors, and with almost no effort you'll have clusters of white star-shaped flowers lighting up your windowsill for weeks.
Paperwhite narcissus bulbs produce gorgeous blooms and they're tons of fun to grow. They're extraordinarily easy, which makes them a great choice for beginners and especially for children.
Kids, Grown-Ups and Interior Decor
Kids will learn valuable lessons about nature and have plenty of fun watching their Paperwhites grow, from bare bulb to bloom in just a few weeks. Since getting great results from Paperwhites is basically child's play, adults who lack "green fingers" enjoy them just as much, there's very little that can go wrong. Growing them in pots, bowls or vases is simple, so you can have fresh flowers all through the winter, provided you can give them enough light.
Paperwhites in Pots and Vases
There's so much you can do with potted Paperwhites! They flower within 4 to 8 weeks after planting, depending on the temperatures they're exposed to. Plant a fresh batch every two to three weeks to see the winter through with a steady supply of deliciously fragrant indoor blooms. You can also grow them in bowls or vases if you prefer, the effect created by a mass of Paperwhites rising out of a glass vase is simply gorgeous, and it makes a stunning centerpiece for a holiday table.
Tips and Tricks
The first thing you need to know about Paperwhites is that they like to be planted close together. If you pack the pot or vase with bulbs, they're less likely to become floppy, and a tightly clustered planting creates a much more striking display than a few bulbs scattered in a large pot. If you'd like to try growing them in a vase, choose one that's at least 3 to 4 inches deep and line the bottom with stones, marbles or gravel. If you're using a glass vase, semi-precious stones or marbles are especially pretty, since you'll be able to see them through the glass. Pack your bulbs in as tightly as you can, then add a sprinkling of your chosen substrate to fill in any gaps and help hold the bulbs upright. Now add enough water to just reach the base of the bulbs, don't submerge them, or they may rot. Once the roots begin to develop, move your vase or pot to a sunny position. You want strong light, but not too much heat, so a cool, bright windowsill works better than a spot right beside a radiator.
Here Comes the Clever Tip!
Once the leaves have emerged, it's time to buy your bulbs a drink to celebrate! Paperwhites have a habit of growing tall and floppy, and a little alcohol in their water helps keep them compact. A mix of one part vodka to seven parts water gently stunts the stems without harming the plant. If you're growing your bulbs in a vase, simply replace the plain water with this alcohol-laced mixture. If you're growing them in pots, add the same diluted alcohol to your regular watering. Either way, this simple trick makes for shorter, sturdier, happier Paperwhites.
Bringing It All Together
With a little water, a sunny windowsill and a well-timed splash of vodka, Paperwhites reward almost no effort with weeks of fragrant, elegant blooms. Whether you're introducing a child to the magic of gardening or just want to banish the winter gloom from your own home, a pot or vase of tightly packed Paperwhite bulbs is one of the simplest, most rewarding projects you can start today.
