The Crisp Flower That Will Fill Your Home With Fragrance In The Winter

Between long, dark nights and cloudy days, the colder months can get pretty gloomy. Many plants, both indoors and out in the garden, are dormant, and you may find yourself missing the life and color of beautiful blooms. Thankfully, you can brighten up the season with a wonderful variety of daffodil that can be forced to bloom indoors. Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are one of the houseplants that make your home smell amazing thanks to their incredibly fragrant blooms. Their flowers are bright white, delicate, and fresh, reaching around 12 to 18 inches in height. Paperwhite daffodils not only provide a boost to beat the winter blahs, they also remind us that spring is just around the corner.

Unlike other bulbs that flower in the spring, paperwhites do not need a chill period, which means that they can bloom happily indoors in the winter when provided with the right care and support. You can usually purchase paperwhite bulbs from garden stores or from online outlets in September, October, or November. After buying the bulbs, you can either store them in a cool place or plant them. They typically bloom six weeks after planting, so keep that in mind if you want your paperwhites on display for your holiday gatherings. 

Paperwhites can be forced into blooming in either water or soil. If you use soil, partly fill the container with potting mix, then place the bulbs on top. They should be kept tightly together, with only around an inch or less space between each bulb. Then add more potting soil but make sure the tips of the bulbs are sticking out. Water the soil thoroughly and place your paperwhites in a cool, dark location for two weeks to promote root growth. A temperature of around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Keep an eye on your bulbs and keep the soil moist. When you see shoots that are about 3 inches in height, move them to a warmer, sunnier location, like a windowsill. 

You will get to see the roots develop when growing these houseplants in water. To force them using this method, get a tall, narrow container and add a layer of pebbles, glass balls, or marble chips to the bottom and place your paperwhite bulb on top. If the bulb is stable, add water until the bottom half of the bulb is covered. You may want to add pebbles around the bottom to keep it steady. Keep checking the bulb and water levels throughout the growing period, ensuring the bottom of the bulb has water, but does not cover the whole of the bulb. Once your paperwhites have started to flower, move them to a location with indirect sun. This will prolong the blooms so you can have more time to enjoy these flowers that grow beautifully indoors during winter.