The Best Time to Plant Paperwhites for Beautiful Blooms By Christmas

You don't have to wait until spring to enjoy the beauty of paperwhites. These elegant blooms can fill your home with their sweet scent and delicate petals by the holiday season with a bit of planning and the right growing conditions. By using the gardening technique known as forcing, you can simulate spring conditions indoors and encourage paperwhites to bloom earlier whenever you want. Here's how to do it right, according to our gardening experts.

When to Plant Paperwhite for a Christmas Bloom

To ensure your paperwhite plant produces flowers around the holiday season, aim to plant the bulbs six to 10 weeks ahead of your ideal bloom date. "I usually plant a few batches a week apart throughout November, that way I have fresh blooms from the holidays straight into the New Year," says Tabar Gifford, master gardener and partnership cultivator at American Meadows.

She notes that traditional paperwhites are typically the quickest bloomers, but other unique varieties, like Erlicheer, can take 10 to 12 weeks to bloom. Always check the variety of paperwhite you are planting to ensure you give it enough time to bloom before your target date.

How to Force Paperwhite Bulbs Indoors

Paperwhites are versatile bulbs that can be grown in soil or gravel for a more traditional display, or in water for a modern look that lets you watch the roots grow, notes Gifford. She recommends selecting plump, healthy bulbs that are firm to the touch. For lush arrangements, consider planting several bulbs together in a decorative bowl or shallow pot.

In Soil or Gravel:

1. Choose a shallow pot or bowl with drainage holes.
2. Fill the pot with at least 2 inches of well-draining potting soil or gravel.
3. Set the bulbs close together (but not touching) in the pot, with their tips exposed.
4. Water thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist, then let it drain to avoid root rot.
5. Keep the plant in a bright, cool area (40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) for three to four weeks, then move it to a warm spot to trigger blooming.
6. Turn the pot every few days so the stems grow straight toward the light.

In Water:

1. Choose an hourglass-shaped vase or forcing jar. Fill the vessel with water to just below the bottleneck.
2. Set the bulb in the vase so it is hovering over the water without touching it. "The bulb will sense the water below and send out roots to reach for it," says Gifford. "If the bulb is actually touching the water, it’s very likely to rot."
3. Keep the plant in a bright, cool area (40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit) for three to four weeks, then move it to a warm spot to trigger blooming.
4. Refresh the water weekly, keeping it just below the bulb base.
5. Turn the vase every few days so the stems grow straight toward the light.
   

Ideal Growing Conditions for a Fast Bloom

Providing proper growing conditions will give your paperwhites the boost they need to bloom on time. "Paperwhites are tropical bulbs, so they love bright light, warm temperatures, and consistent moisture," says Gifford. "A sunny windowsill or well-lit countertop is perfect. If your home runs cool, placing them near a south-facing window or under a grow light helps speed things up."

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Post-Bloom Care

Care doesn't stop once your paperwhites bloom. Langelo recommends leaving the foliage alone, but snipping spent flowers. "The foliage will continue to provide energy to the bulbs for next year," she says. Next, reduce watering to every two days and wait for the foliage to turn yellow. "Once the foliage starts yellowing, stop watering. Place the bulbs in a cool, dry place," she says.

Common Reasons Your Paperwhite Won't Bloom

If Christmas comes and goes and you're left without any paperwhite blooms, it's possible you made one of these common mistakes.

• Too much water: Paperwhites need consistently moist, but not waterlogged soil. "If bulbs sit in water, they’ll rot before sprouting," says Gifford.
• Not enough sunlight: Dimly lit rooms lead to weak, leggy growth. Move your paperwhites to a bright location or use grow lights.
• Prolonged cold temperatures: Paperwhites like cooler environments when they're newly planted, but after a few weeks, they should be moved to a warmer environment to speed up growth.
• Old bulbs: It's possible your paperwhite bulbs are too old to bloom. According to Gifford, Paperwhites are best planted in the season you buy them—fresh bulbs bloom most reliably.