Paperwhite narcissus send up a cloud of small, sweetly scented flowers on tall, straight stems, and they do it without the long winter wait that other spring bulbs demand. Paperwhite narcissus is easy to place once you know what the plant is, where it grows, how to handle it through the year, what troubles it, and whether it suits your yard.
What Is the Paperwhite Narcissus?
Paperwhite narcissus is native to the Mediterranean and carries clusters of small flowers on stems 12 to 18 inches tall. Despite the name, the blooms can be white, yellow or orange, so a bag of bulbs may hold more color than the label suggests.
Most spring-flowering bulbs need a stretch of cold before they bloom. Paperwhites skip that step entirely, which is what sets them apart from tulips and hyacinths and makes them easy to bring into flower on your own schedule.
From the almanac
Bulbs in your state
The dates on this page depend on where you live. Your state's page carries its frost dates, its USDA zones and the year laid out month by month.
Northeast
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
Southwest
West
Pacific Northwest
Canada
Where Does the Paperwhite Narcissus Grow Best?
Check the plant tag or bulb package for the hardiness zone before you plant, since that is where the grower states how far the bulb will stand up to cold. Local planting windows vary, so check the timing that fits your area before you start.
For conditions, the plant asks for bright light and a spot that is not too warm. In a dim or hot place, the leaves and flower stalks stretch too tall and flop over, and the show is spoiled before it starts.
Give the bulbs a place with plenty of light, and avoid warm corners near heat vents or sun-baked glass.
How to Plant and Care for the Paperwhite Narcissus Through the Year
Fall
Fall is planting time for spring bulbs in general, and the soil is ready once it has cooled below about 60°F. Paperwhites need no refrigerator stop first, so they go straight into the ground or a container. A bulb still in the bag goes in as soon as the soil can be dug.
Winter
Winter is when light and temperature matter most. Keep the plants in a bright, cool spot, because warmth and weak light make the leaves and stalks grow too tall and fall over. Turn the pot regularly so the stems grow upright instead of leaning toward the window.
Bloom
Full flowering takes about 4 to 8 weeks after planting, so staggering the planting dates spreads the show out. Stems reach 12 to 18 inches, and a cluster of flowers can scent a whole room. Keep the pot in a cooler spot than the rest of the house so the display lasts.
After Bloom
When the blooms fade, snip off only the spent flowers. Leave the leaves on the plant until they turn brown, because they feed the bulb while they are green. Never cut or tie them early, however untidy they look.
Summer
By summer the foliage has browned and the bulb is resting. Lift or look over any bulbs that are soft, and discard the ones with decay that starts at the roots and spreads upward. Firm, healthy bulbs can be left where they are.
Paperwhite Narcissus Weak Points: Animals, Diseases and Staying Power
The main disease to watch is basal rot. It begins at the roots and moves up through the bulb, so by the time you see damage above ground, the bulb has been affected for some time.
Heat and poor light cause a different kind of trouble. Growth turns lanky and falls over, which is a conditions problem, not a disease.
| Issue | How the Paperwhite Narcissus handles it |
|---|---|
| Basal rot | Decay starts at the roots and spreads upward inside the bulb; above ground, plants are dwarfed and flowers are abnormal |
| Too warm or too dim | Leaves and flower stalks grow too tall and flop over |
| Winter cold | Needs no chilling before flowering, unlike most spring bulbs |
Stunted plants with misshapen flowers point to basal rot, especially when the bulb is soft at its base. Throw out affected bulbs instead of replanting them.
Is the Paperwhite Narcissus Right for Your Yard?
Paperwhites suit gardeners who want fragrant flowers without planning around winter cold. They fit a bright, cool spot and a patient hand with the leaves after bloom. They suit you less if your space is dim or hot.
- Choose them for a sunny entry or window where the scent can be enjoyed up close, and plant in fall.
- Skip them for a warm, shaded corner, where stems stretch and flop.
- Open your state page for the local planting months before you buy bulbs.
Common Questions
Which Paperwhite Flowers Smell Strongest?
Yellow ones are particularly fragrant. White types still carry scent, but the yellow blooms are the pick if fragrance is your goal.
Can You Plant a Leftover Paperwhite Bulb Late?
Yes. A bulb that is still in the bag does better planted late than stored. Plant it as long as the ground can be dug.
How Long Until Paperwhites Bloom After Planting?
Full flowering takes about 4 to 8 weeks after planting. Planting in batches spreads the bloom across that range of weeks.