Plant This Flower In November For Stunning White Blooms By Christmas

Just because we're wrapping up the outdoor growing season doesn't mean you have to let your green thumb sit idle until spring. There are plenty of beautiful plants you can cultivate inside during the coldest months of the year. If you're interested in growing a flower that will fill your home with fragrance, consider planting a paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) this November. By the time Christmas rolls around, your efforts will be rewarded by stunning blooms.

The paperwhite narcissus offers daffodil-like flowers that grow beautifully indoors during winter. Just like amaryllis bulbs, there's no need to put paperwhite bulbs through a cold-stratification period ahead of time. All you have to do is plant them properly and watch them blossom. The paperwhite narcissus can grow anywhere from 12 to 18 inches tall. After about three to five weeks, a cluster of blooms will explode off of the end of its long stems. These stunning flowers are most commonly white but can also be yellow or orange. Not only are the blooms a lovely holiday treat, they also carry a delightful spicy scent. Curious about how to grow your own paperwhite bulbs this holiday season? Let's go over how to plant one.

Encouraging your paperwhite narcissus to bloom in the winter is a process called "forcing". The practice involves promoting flower growth by simulating springtime conditions indoors. Before you start planting, select suitable bulbs. Opt for larger paperwhite bulb varieties like 'Ziva' or 'Wintersun' for higher blooming potential. Now gather your planting materials. You'll need a bowl or pot. If you use a pot, you'll need well-drained soil. If you're using a bowl, you'll need washed gravel, pea stone, marbles, or decorative stones. Either way, make sure your pot or bowl does not have a drainage hole.

It's a good rule of thumb to plant your bulbs six to 10 weeks ahead of your ideal blooming window, but exact timing will depend on specific growing conditions and the variety you choose. For a beautiful display of Christmas blooms, plant in the third week of November. If you're planting your paperwhite narcissus in a pot, fill your container nearly to the top with soil. Place your bulb at the top of the soil and nestle it in with more soil, leaving the top exposed. Water it generously and keep it moist. If you're opting for the bowl method, fill your containers with something like gravel or decorative stones. Place your bulb on top and surround it with more gravel or stones. Add water up to the bottom of the bulb. Keep the water at that level all winter. After a few weeks, you'll see beautiful blooms. Your bulbs will only bloom for one season, so compost spent bulbs once the flowers fade.