Can you regrow paperwhites
Emily Dawson
Published Mar 07, 2026
When paperwhite bulbs are forced, they cannot be reused or regrown; however, when planted in soil and allowed to grow and bloom on their timing, you can reuse or regrow paperwhites every year. Plan on planting your paperwhites outdoors in October or November in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11.
What do you do with paperwhite bulbs after they bloom?
About six weeks after the paperwhite blooms, turn the pot on its side and store it somewhere where it will not freeze, such as a garage or basement. In the fall, turn the pot upright, place it in the sun, water the bulb thoroughly and continue watering until the paperwhite blooms again in the spring.
Do paperwhites grow back?
In warm climates, paperwhites are less demanding than other narcissus varieties. With this minimal care, they’ll come back from year to year.
Can paperwhite bulbs be used again?
With the proper care, you can save and preserve paperwhite bulbs to bloom again. However, they do require time to replenish their energy stores, and may not re-bloom for two or three years. Paperwhites are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. … Tamp the soil down around the bulb.Can you replant potted bulbs?
Whether you have flowering bulbs in the wrong location in your garden or have them growing in pots and want them elsewhere, you can successfully transplant them to a different location at just about any time in the growing season.
How do you get paperwhites to rebloom?
Fertilize the bulbs again using a full-strength application of houseplant fertilizer. Allow the bulbs to develop stems and leaves. Paperwhite bulbs will not usually flower again in their second year. Repeat this process each year until blooming occurs.
Can you reuse forced bulbs?
Container plants that have been previously forced into bloom cannot be forced again; however, you can plant bulbs in the garden. If you plan to replant these forced bulbs outdoors, sprinkle a small amount of bulb boosting fertilizer on top of the soil, as most will not flower well again without some help.
Why do paperwhites smell so bad?
“Paperwhites” refers to a type of narcissus, usually of the Tazetta group, native to the Mediterranean. They are hardy only in warm winter climates, but are popular for indoor culture. The distinctive odor, which some find unpleasant, is due to a biochemical called indole.How do you replant paperwhites?
Place a separated bulb into the hole with the root end touching the bottom of the hole and the tapered end of the bulb facing upward. Fill in the hole with the displaced soil. Continue digging and replanting until all the separated bulbs are planted.
Can I plant my paperwhites outside?Like most bulbs that are forced for indoor flowers, paperwhites are usually tossed out after they finish blooming. In warm climates, where temperatures don’t go below 20°F, paperwhite bulbs can be planted outdoors in late fall and will bloom in late winter. … Paperwhites are usually treated as annuals.
Article first time published onWhat to do with paperwhites after they bloom UK?
But don’t chuck them: store them. When they’ve finished flowering, leave them in their pots for the following year, or dry them off, leaving the leaves to shrivel on the bulb, and re-pot them again late next year.
Should you deadhead paperwhites?
Deadhead plants during the growing season by removing fading or dying flowers with sharp garden shears or clippers. As with other perennial flowering plants, deadheading may encourage additional blooms. More importantly, it preserves vital energy for the plant’s bulb.
Can you transplant bulbs after they have sprouted?
You can still transplant sprouted flower bulbs. They may not flower the first year, depending on when you put them in their new patch, but with patience, they’ll return the favor the following winter/spring.
Can I leave bulbs in pots after flowering?
You may keep the bulbs in pots after flowering, but it is a good idea to introduce some new soil with all its nutrients and fertilize again. You may also remove the bulbs, let them air dry and put them in a paper bag in a location with the proper chilling requirements until you are ready to force them again.
What to do with indoor bulbs after flowering?
The care after flowering is important if attempting to save forced bulbs. After blooming, remove the spent flowers and place the plants in a sunny window. Water regularly until the foliage begins to yellow. At this point, gradually cut back on watering until the foliage withers and dies.
Can you replant forced paperwhite bulbs?
When paperwhite bulbs are forced, they cannot be reused or regrown; however, when planted in soil and allowed to grow and bloom on their timing, you can reuse or regrow paperwhites every year. Plan on planting your paperwhites outdoors in October or November in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11.
Will dried out bulbs grow?
Yes, if the bulb is still firm and plump it will most likely be able to be successfully planted. However, if the bulb smells bad due to rotting, is squishy or mushy, or is dry and shriveled up then the bulb should not be planted and can be thrown out.
What can I do with forced paperwhites?
Many people toss out forced paperwhite bulbs when the blooms are off the plants, but an option is to transplant the bulbs, yellowing foliage and all, into a sunny garden site. If you forced the bulbs in material such as stones or shells, then the bulbs may take two years to restock their reserves and flower again.
What to do with bulbs after forcing?
- If the bulbs were forced late enough in the season that they still have green leaves in the spring, plant them outdoors right away after the last expected hard frost.
- Plant the bulbs at a depth equal to three to four times the bulb’s width.
How long do Paperwhites bloom?
Paperwhites will bloom about four to six weeks after planting, so plan accordingly if you want flowers for the holidays or other special occasions. For continuous bloom throughout the winter, plant bulbs every two weeks from late fall through February.
How do you store paperwhites?
Store the paper bag in a moderately cool and dry location. A standard interior room with temperatures between 60 F and 75 Fahrenheit is ideal for paperwhite storage. Store the paperwhite bulbs for three to four months in the bag. Remove the bulbs from the bag when you are ready to plant them.
How do you split paperwhites?
Division will be helpful to your Paperwhites every few years. If your the leaves flop over and you notice clumping, divide your bulbs sooner. Wait until after the blooms are gone and the leaves have withered. Dig up the bulbs, and separate them.
Can you grow paperwhites in water?
Grow paperwhites in water rather than soil. It works just as well, and weighing the bulbs down with stones helps keep the flowers from tipping over. Washed gravel works fine, as do marble chips, polished river stones, tumbled glass or even marbles.
How do you grow paperwhites in soil?
Planting Instructions For Paperwhite Bulbs Fill a pot or dish halfway with soil or gravel. You’ll want at least 2 inches of soil or gravel for drainage. Set the bulbs gently in the soil or gravel, and pack more soil around the bulbs, leaving the tips visible. Water the bulbs thoroughly until the soil is soaked.
Do all paperwhites stink?
“Not all paperwhites stink,” I said, and it sparked a great discussion about Narcissus ssp papyraceus ‘Ziva,’ otherwise known as “Her Stinkiness” and her cousins. ‘Ziva’ is the most common paperwhite daffodil sold in commerce, but it’s not the only one. … You don’t need to limit yourself to paperwhites either.
How do I stop my paperwhites from smelling?
But a few drops of bleach in a vase of water helps limit the strong scent of cut flowers like Allium, the ornamental onion, so perhaps it would work in this case, too.
Are daffodils scented?
The world of Daffodils offers irresistible fragrance. Their perfumes range from delicate to sweet and spicy depending on the variety. Plant plenty for bouquets, and be sure to pot up a few Daffodil bulbs for forcing so you can enjoy their lovely scent indoors during the winter.
Do paperwhites like sun or shade?
They grow in the proper zone as long as you get them into the soil in fall or give them a cold period before planting. Narcissus requires well-draining soil in full sun. Amend the soil with leaf litter or plenty of compost when growing paperwhites.
Are paperwhites edible?
All parts of the paperwhite are poisonous, but the bulb is the most toxic. The paperwhite comes from the Amaryllidaceae family in the genus Narcissus.
Can you plant paperwhites outside UK?
They are not suitable to grow outside in the UK unless you’re way down south or extremely sheltered. Paperwhites are snow white and paper thin. The two most popular varieties are ‘Ziva’ and ‘Scilly Spring’, which has a sweet musky smell.
How do you grow paperwhite bulbs in water?
Gently place upright paperwhite bulbs into the container, pressing them into the stones. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bulbs. Store bulbs in a cool, dark room for 4-6 weeks. Move to a cool, sunny place when shoots begin to sprout.