The 2cm (0.8”) across, white flowers are small, with creamy stamens at the centre. Each flower spike can have up to 15 flower heads so they really do brighten up the deep mid-winter.
Here is our step-by-step guide to get you planting.
Healthy bulbs should be firm and free from mould or soft spots. Choose the fattest ones as these often have two stems per bulb. ‘Ziva’ is a popular pure white cultivar and ‘Inbal’ has extra flowers per spike but is often a little pricier.
Paperwhites do not need soil to grow, so a container without drainage holes works perfectly but make sure it is 20cm (8”) or so deep, as paperwhites grow tall and can topple over with the weight of their own blooms. The container can be anything from a simple glass vase to a decorative bowl.
Fill the container with about 6-8cm (2-3”) of pebbles, stones, or decorative glass beads. These will help anchor the bulbs and provide support as they grow.
Place the bulbs on top of the pebbles with the pointed end up. You can nestle them in so they are secure, but they do not need to be fully buried. They can be tightly packed but not touching in the container.
Pour in water until it just touches the base of the bulbs. Do not submerge the bulbs as this can cause rot. The roots will grow down into the water.
Narcissi do not require a period in the dark to force them, but for the first week or two, keep the container in a cool (around 10-15°C or 50-60°F), dark place. This encourages root development before the shoots start to grow.
After the roots have developed, move the container to a sunny spot like a south-facing window sill. Warmer temperatures will speed up the growth, so if you want to time the blooms for Christmas, adjust the temperature accordingly.
Keep an eye on the water level, making sure the roots are always in contact with water and top up as needed.
Paperwhite stems can get tall and sometimes top-heavy, so if they start to flop over, use decorative stakes or twigs from the garden, and tie them in gently with string.
In about 4-6 weeks, you should have beautiful, fragrant flowers. Adjust the timing by starting the bulbs earlier or later depending on when you want them to bloom.
By planting these bulbs in late October, you should have lovely daffodils just in time to brighten up your Christmas!
Once blooming is over, bear in mind that Narcissus papyraceus are not hardy in most parts of the UK and so cannot be planted outside, however they can be stored. After flowering, leave them in their pots for the following year, or dry them off, leaving the leaves to shrivel on the bulb, and re-pot late next year for another blooming lovely show.
