How to Grow Paperwhites Indoors: Easy Blooms for Winter Sunshine

As someone who loves a touch of cozy, natural beauty indoors, I’ve always admired everyone growing beautiful paperwhites in the dead of winter. But I have to admit, I’ve never grown them myself. This year, I decided I was going to change that and document the whole process for you. If you’ve also been intrigued by these fragrant bulbs but aren’t sure where to start, consider this your first-timer’s guide! I’m happy to report, it’s extremely easy, incredibly fast, and adds a touch of cheer to your home this winter.

A four-panel Pinterest pin collage titled 'How to Grow Paperwhites' from Cottage in the Mitten, featuring step-by-step instructions for forced winter bulbs. The images show a white pedestal bowl, bags of river stones, a close-up of a sprouting paperwhite bulb, and the final arrangement of tall green shoots growing in the pebble-filled dish.

“My family feels generally peaceful and connected to one another. And in my kitchen, between spirited conversations, too many dishes, endless cups of tea and meals prepared, I make sure I steal a moment daily to breathe in the gifts of my paperwhites, swooning with their jasminy potency…” – Jenny Wonderling

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Why Grow Paperwhites? The Perfect Beginner Bulb

I enjoy pretty things from home decor, books and gardening. I also like pretty things that are easy to create. Paperwhites are the perfect project to achieve both. They grow quickly, usually blooming within 3-6 weeks. They can be grown with soil or in rocks. What’s easier than that? On top of their easy growing options, paperwhites help combat the winter blues with their vibrant blooms. Easy and beautiful…the best combo!

Close-up image of a box labeled "Indoor Paperwhites - Narcissus Ziva" from Netherlands Bulb Company, featuring a photo of white, star-shaped flowers with green stems. The box indicates that it contains 4 bulbs, blooms in winter, needs full sun, is bee friendly, and reaches a height of 16-20.

What You’ll Need: A Simple Supply List

As with most of my projects, the supply list for growing paperwhites is small. The best part about forcing paperwhites is that you don’t need a garden shed full of tools to do it. In fact, you probably already have most everything you need, right at home, with the exception of the bulbs. Just gather these few essentials below and you’re ready to start!

Pro Tip

For the first 1-2 weeks, place your container in a cool (60-65°F), bright, but indirect light spot. A north-facing windowsill, a bright garage, or a cooler room in your home. A cool, bright start encourages strong root growth and sturdy stems.

Paperwhite Supply List

Paperwhite Bulbs – You can buy these at your local garden center or stores like Walmart and Trader Joes.
Container Options – Use a wide glass vase, shallow bowl or ceramic vase for growing. If you use a clear class container you will be able to show off the root growth from the bulbs. Make sure the vessel you choose does not have any drainage holes.
Container Medium – The medium you use is up to you. Pebbles/rocks or glass gems are the no-fuss method. They provide excellent drainage around the bulb which prevents any root rot. That’s the method I chose. Soil can provide more stability for tall varieties. If you do use soil, make sure you don’t over water.

How to Plant Paperwhite Bulbs: My Step-by-Step Guide

As a first timer, I will tell you that planting paperwhite bulbs is much easier than you may think. There’s something so fun and hopeful about tucking those bulbs into their new home! Follow my visual step-by-step guide below to learn how to plant your paperwhites correctly, ensuring they have the right amount of support and water.

What to Expect Week-by-Week

Bulb Shoots: Your bulb shoots will appear within a few days if you don’t already have them when planting.
Flowering Times: You can expect to have fragrant white flowers in 3-4 weeks. Sometimes longer depending on the amount of light and warmth they are receiving. Plant in indirect, bright light. However, make sure to avoid intense sunlight or direct heat. Indirect light in a cool location is best.
Plant Staggering: If you would like to have continuous flowers, stagger bulb planting through January. This will give you pretty blooms through the cold winter months!

Step 1: Prep Your Bulbs and Container

Choose the best bulbs. This means, select bulbs that are firm, plump and free of major blemishes, soft spots or mold. Having a papery outer skin is okay and normal. Most packages I found had 4 to 5 bulbs in each. Actually, my package had a very small piece of a bulb with no shoot. I planted it anyways just to see what would happen. To my surprise, it’s growing at the same rate as the other bulbs.

Next, make sure the container you choose is clean. Whether it’s a thrifted find or something you already own, wash the container with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. This will remove any dust or leftover residue that could produce any bacteria and nobody wants that!

Overhead close-up of a hand with red nail polish holding a large, shallow ceramic vessel in a soft, dusty blue-gray color. The bowl features a detailed rim with raised, button-like decorative studs. The vessel rests on a patterned red and white toile tablecloth.

Step 2: Position Your Bulbs & Add Support

I started by adding a generous amount of river rocks. I purchased two different sizes. I wanted larger rocks and also some smaller ones to fill in and help surround and support the bulbs. Position the bulb with the “sprout” up and do not completely bury the paperwhites. I simply shifted the surrounding rocks to wedge each bulb securely in place.

Overhead image of two separate mesh bags of smooth river stones, resting on a white tablecloth with a red floral toile pattern. One bag contains white, cream, and beige polished river stones, and the other contains darker, mixed-color brown and gray stones. These are used for decorating plants or as a base for forcing paperwhite bulbs.

Close-up image of a Paperwhite (Narcissus Ziva) bulb being held in a hand with a red painted fingernail and a sterling silver ring. The bulb has a brown husk and two bright green sprouts emerging from the top. The background is blurred with smooth, mixed-color river stones.

Step 3: Watering and Placement

After you plant your bulbs you have two important things left to do. Water your bulbs and place them in the proper place. I slowly added water until the level just reached the bottom of the bulbs. The bulbs should feel the water but not sit in it. In my bowl, I watered until I saw it glisten between the rocks at the base of the bulbs.

I placed mine on a decorative cabinet in my laundry room. The room is heated but has ceramic tile and sits next to the back door, which is opened frequently to let the dog out. Therefore, the room stays cooler than the rest of the rooms in my home. Once you see a few inches of growth, you can more them to a warmer, well lit area to display.

As a first time planter, I was nervous about over watering. I checked the bulbs every two-three days and when I could no longer see the water between the rocks, I watered. It’s been several weeks and my method has worked great!

A side-view of a festive winter arrangement featuring several paperwhite bulbs sprouting tall green shoots. The bulbs are nestled in a shallow, white pedestal dish filled with smooth tan and grey river stones. The display is set on a stack of books and surrounded by fresh evergreen branches, creating a cozy and natural indoor holiday decoration.

Happy Growing!

Well friends, just like that my first paperwhite adventure is underway! Watching those green shoots get taller has been a joy giver in the midst of snowy days. I hope my guide gives you confidence to try planting your own paperwhites. If you’re looking for a simple rewarding way to brighten your space this season, this is must try! If you do plant them, I would love to hear all about it.

By the way, once my paperwhites bloom, I’ll do an updated post and let you know how they’re doing and possibly share some different varieties to try.

Happy growing!

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