Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus, a tender type of narcissus) are the quickest bulbs to bring into flower indoors. Unlike tulips and most daffodils, they need no cold treatment: set them on pebbles, add water, and clusters of fragrant white flowers open within a few weeks. This guide covers how to grow paperwhites in water or soil, how to keep them from flopping over (the alcohol trick tested by Cornell University), how to have flowers all winter, and what to do with the bulbs afterward.
Growing paperwhites at a glance
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Chilling | None needed |
| Container | A bowl or dish without drainage holes, at least 2–3 inches deep |
| Planting | On pebbles or gravel, bulbs close together, bottom quarter of each bulb anchored in the stones |
| Water | Keep the water level just below the base of the bulbs, never covering them |
| Start | Cool (50–60°F) and low light until roots and shoots form, usually 2–3 weeks |
| Then | Bright light and normal room temperature |
| Bloom | Usually 2–3 weeks after planting in a warm room (UC Cooperative Extension); longer if kept cool |
| After flowering | Discard or compost the bulbs |
| Pets | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses, especially the bulbs (ASPCA) |
How to grow paperwhites in pebbles and water
- Choose a container. Any bowl, dish or glass container at least 2–3 inches deep works. It does not need drainage holes.
- Add stones. Fill it with pebbles, pea gravel, coarse sand or decorative glass chips to about 1 inch below the rim.
- Set the bulbs. Place the bulbs pointed end up on the stones, close together (they can almost touch). Add more stones around them so the bottom quarter of each bulb is held firmly.
- Add water until it reaches just below the base of the bulbs. The roots will grow down into the water. If the bulbs sit in water they rot.
- Start them cool. Clemson Extension recommends a cool spot (50–60°F) in low light until roots form and green shoots appear, usually in 2–3 weeks.
- Move into light. Then move them gradually to a bright, sunny window at room temperature. Bright light keeps the stems shorter and sturdier.
- Keep the water topped up at the same level. Check every couple of days, as the roots drink a lot once they are growing.
You can also plant paperwhites in a pot of regular potting mix, with the top half of each bulb showing. Keep the mix moist but not soggy and follow the same cool-then-bright routine.
How to stop paperwhites from flopping over
Paperwhites grown in a warm room with weak winter light often grow tall and fall over. Cornell University’s Flower Bulb Research Program found that watering with a dilute alcohol solution stunts the leaves and stems without harming the flowers. As summarized by University of California Cooperative Extension:
- Plant the bulbs on pebbles and water with plain water as usual.
- When the green shoots are about 1–2 inches tall (often about a week later), pour off the water.
- Refill with a 4–6% alcohol solution, and use the same solution every time you top up.
| Alcohol you have | Mix |
|---|---|
| 70% rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol | 1 part alcohol to 11 parts water |
| 90% rubbing alcohol | 1 part alcohol to 15 parts water |
| 40% spirit (vodka, gin, whiskey) | 1 part spirit to 7 parts water |
The result is plants one-third to one-half shorter, with flowers just as large and long-lasting. Do not use beer, wine or sweetened drinks, and keep the solution well below 10% alcohol, since stronger mixes damage the plants. Staking with thin sticks and string, or growing them in a tall glass vase, also helps.
Flowers from Thanksgiving to spring
For a steady supply, start a new bowl about every two weeks. Clemson suggests beginning after mid-October for flowers from around Thanksgiving through late March. Keep unplanted bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place until you use them. Once flowers open, moving the bowl to a cooler room helps them last longer.
About the fragrance
Paperwhites have a strong, musky scent. Some people love it; others find it overpowering in a small room. If that is you, grow them in a cool hallway or entrance, or look for cultivars sold as having a milder fragrance.
What to do with paperwhites after they bloom
Bulbs forced in water use up their stored energy and cannot be forced again. Clemson and UC Cooperative Extension both advise discarding them or adding them to the compost after flowering. Start with fresh bulbs next year.
Are paperwhites toxic to pets?
Yes. The ASPCA lists narcissus, including paperwhites, as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The bulbs are the most toxic part. Eating them can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhea, and large amounts can cause tremors, low blood pressure and heart rhythm problems. Keep bowls out of reach of pets and contact your veterinarian if a pet eats any part. Never leave the water from forced bulbs where pets can drink it.
Want more indoor holiday color? See our guides to amaryllis care, Christmas cactus care and poinsettia care.
More holiday plant guides: Norfolk Island pine care.
Frequently asked questions
Do paperwhites need to be chilled?
No. Unlike tulips, hyacinths and most daffodils, paperwhites are tender bulbs that flower without a cold period.
Why did my paperwhite bulbs rot?
Usually because the water covered the base of the bulbs. Keep the water level just below the bulbs so only the roots reach it.
Can I plant paperwhites outside after they bloom?
Bulbs forced in water are usually too exhausted to be worth saving, and extension services recommend discarding them.
Sources
- Clemson Cooperative Extension, Forcing Bulbs Indoors (HGIC 1556) (no chilling, container and gravel, water level, cool start, staggered plantings, discarding bulbs).
- University of California Cooperative Extension, Paperwhites and the Cornell alcohol method (timing, 4–6% solution, dilution ratios, results).
- Iowa State University Extension, How to Force Spring-Flowering Bulbs Indoors (water forcing: roots in water, bulb base above it).
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Narcissus (toxic to pets; symptoms; bulbs most toxic).
