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Paperwhite Bulb Planting Guide
No Experience Required If you're just getting started with gardening, paperwhites are an excellent first project. They are fast, easy, fragrant and beautiful. They make wonderful centerpieces for the holidays and are cheerful additions to any winter windowsill. Gardeners in zones 8-10 can also enjoy paperwhites outdoors in the spring. If you’re looking for a failsafe gift, check out our pre-planted paperwhite gifts. Need to buy bulk paperwhites? We have that covered, too. Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow paperwhites.
Success Snapshot

PLANTING
DEPTH
Top 1" of bulb exposed indoors; 6" deep outdoors

WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate with growth

SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Bright Direct indoors; Full to partial sun outdoors

PLANTING
PROXIMITY
3" Apart

BLOOM
SEASON
Blooms 30-45 indoors/Spring outdoors

HARDINESS
ZONES
Species dependent; Zones 5-10
Shop Related Products

Paperwhite Ariel Bulbs (17+ cm)
$14.95
Contains: 10 or 20 Ariel Paperwhite Bulbs
Botanical Name: Narcissus 'Ariel'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Ziva (14/15 cm)
$7.95
Contains: 10, 20 or 50 Ziva Paperwhite bulbs. Choose your pack size below:
Botanical Name: Narcissus 'Ziva'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Inball Bulbs (17+ cm)
$14.95
Contains: 10 or 20 Inball Paperwhite Bulbs
Botanical Name: Narcissus 'Inbal'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Wintersun Bulbs (17+ cm)
$14.95
Contains: 10 or 20 Wintersun Paperwhite Bulbs
Botanical Name: Narcissus 'Wintersun'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Nir Bulbs (17+ cm)
$14.95
Contains: 10 or 20 Nir Paperwhite Bulbs
Botanical Name: Narcissus 'Nir'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Ziva Bulbs (17+ cm)
$14.95
Contains: 10 or 20 Ziva Paperwhite bulbs
Botanical Name: Narcissus 'Ziva'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhites in an Orchard Bucket w/ Handle
$40.95
Contains: 4 extra large paperwhites, pre-planted and ready to grow
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Provide bright indoor lighting
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhites in a Birch Bark Pot
$40.95
Contains: 4 extra large paperwhites, pre-planted and ready to grow
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Provide bright indoor lighting
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift: (5 Bulbs) in an Embroidered Olive Bag
$15.95
Contains: 5 extra large paperwhites, loose and ready to plant
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift in a Colorful Drawstring Bag
$15.95
Contains: 5 extra large paperwhites, loose and ready to plant
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift: (5 Bulbs) in an Embroidered Merlot Bag
$15.95
Contains: 5 extra large paperwhites, loose and ready to plant
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift: (5 Bulbs) in an Embroidered Cobalt Bag
$15.95
Contains: 5 extra large paperwhites, loose and ready to plant
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift in a Square Ceramic Planter
$40.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Ceramic Sill Planter
$45.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Round Ceramic Planter
$40.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Basket
$40.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Festive Burlap Bag
$20.95
Contains: 10 large paperwhites in a burlap bag
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift in a Starry Felt Tote
$20.95
Contains: 10 15/16 cm paperwhites in a tote bag
Botanical Name: Narcissus Paperwhite
Exposure: Provide bright indoor lighting
Hardiness: These sprout, grow and bloom indoors at room temperature in any well-lit site

Paperwhite Gift in Embossed Moroccan Tin Planter
$38.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhites Gift in Mrs. Claus Bag
$37.95
Paperwhite Holiday Gifts for Sale | Mrs. Claus Gift Bag For anyone dreaming of a Paperwhite Christmas, this holiday gift is bound to bring happiness and cheer! Our Mrs. Claus Bag includes 10 glistening Paperwhite bulbs, ready to produce stunning, fragrant blooms. These fast-growing and flowering beauties are super easy to plant and require very ...

Paperwhite Gift in Scalloped Oval Tin Planter
$38.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Decorative Tin Planter
$38.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Reclaimed Wood Cube
$38.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors

Paperwhite Gift in a Reclaimed Wood Planter
$43.95
Contains: 1 Pre-Planted Paperwhite Gift
Botanical Name: Narcissus
Exposure: Bright Light Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 8-10 or indoors
Growing Paperwhites Indoors
Growing paperwhites indoors is also called “forcing paperwhites.” You’re forcing them to bloom before they would outdoors. Unlike other narcissus, paperwhites don’t require a cool period before blooming. Give them some water and they’re ready to grow!
There are three ways to grow paperwhites indoors: in soil, in water only (and forcing vases), and in pebbles and water. All three methods work equally well. It really depends on how much space you have and the look you’re going for.
Regardless of what they’re growing in, paperwhites growing indoors do best in bright sun. If you’re going to use them as a centerpiece but your dining room or side table is usually in the dark, grow the bulbs in the sun and move them to the center of the action right before the party.
Planning to give paperwhites as a gift? We recommend pre-planted paperwhite gifts to take the guesswork out of gardening. If you do gift a handful of bulbs in a gift bag, it’s a nice touch to include a bulb forcing vase to get your new gardener started.
Growing Paperwhites Outdoors
Paperwhites are fantastic narcissus for gardeners in warmer zones to enjoy growing outdoors. They provide a similar spring look to daffodils without the chilling requirement. Wintersun is a special favorite for southerners, with its bright yellow cups!
When growing outdoors, plant paperwhites in a sunny spot with well drained soil. You’ll see the biggest impact when planting in large sweeps or clumps of 7-10 bulbs. You can plant paperwhites all the way through winter in zones 8-10 and still get flowers in the spring.
How to Grow Paperwhites in Pebbles and Water
- Select a container with tall sides (if possible). Glass containers and vases are fun because you can watch the roots grow.
- Pour pebbles into the bottom of the container to a depth of 1-2 inches. (You can also use decorative glass stones.)
- Add water to the container so it just barely reaches the tops of the pebbles.
- Place the bulbs on top of the pebbles, pointy side-up.
- Set the container in a bright sunny area and watch for growth.
- Monitor water levels so the water is always just barely reaching the tops of the pebbles. You do not want the bulbs to sit in water.
How to Plant Paperwhites in Soil
- Select a shallow container if planting your own. Paperwhites only need 3-4 inches to grow, so a six inch deep container is plenty!
- Fill the container 1/3 of the way with well-drained potting mix.
- Plant the bulbs, pointy side up, shoulder to shoulder in the container.
- Cover the bulbs with soil so that the tips just barely peek out of the soil.
- Water until the soil is about as moist as a wrung-out sponge.
- Set the container somewhere sunny and watch the bulbs grow! Keep the soil slightly moist as the plants bloom.
Tips for Growing Paperwhites
- Grow paperwhites indoors near a bright, sunny window and rotate their container every couple of days to keep the stems straight.
- Make sure that you’re growing paperwhites and not some other type of narcissus when forcing indoors. (Paperwhites don’t require chilling and will immediately start to grow for you, while other narcissus types will not if they were not pre-chilled.)
- Force indoor paperwhites in pebbles in tall, wide-mouthed vases. The sides of the vases will keep the plant stems upright without the need for a stake or a string around the plants.
- Stick decorative branches in your indoor paperwhite container to act as a type of trellis or support for paperwhite stems. (And to add a bit of flair because everyone loves flair!)
- For continuous indoor paperwhite blooms “plant” or start a new batch of paperwhites every 2-3 weeks from October through January.
- Really pack your pots full if growing paperwhites in soil. That will create a full display of blooms and reduce the risk of plant stems flopping