Enjoy Paperwhites Indoors ❤️

A Quick Guide on How to Force Paperwhites Indoors

We all love paperwhites because they are so easy to force indoors. A growing paperwhite adds a touch of elegance to your home that you never knew you were missing! Then those sweet little bulbs reward you with spring-like blooms in the middle of winter and an aroma that stays with you a lifetime. When mine are in bloom, it brings back childhood holiday memories of sitting in my grandmother’s formal room.

Have Fun Picking Your Container

You can use a variety of containers for your paperwhites. The one requirement is that it must be watertight, so no drainage holes. We also recommend lining your container with floral foil to protect it.

Add the Bulbs

Add about 2 to 3 inches of pebbles or decorative stones. Place your bulbs pointy side up with the roots nestled in the stones. Crowding is fine, since they grow well in clusters. Tuck more pebbles around the bulbs to hold them steady, leaving the top half of each bulb exposed. Once the bulbs are in place, you can top the pebbles with moss for a finished look.

We love adding nativities or other Christmas décor to keep the container interesting while you wait for blooms.

Add Water to Kick Things Off

When you are ready to start the growing process, add water until it comes to the bottom edge of the bulbs... keeping in mind the bulb should not be in water but have access to water. Refer to the calendar below for picking your date, but in general plan for 6 weeks from water to bloom.

The Right Light

Keep in mind you are trying to force a bulb --- that likes to bloom outside in the sun --- to grow and bloom in your home. To ensure you get those blooms, your growing paperwhites will need bright light. For the first week after you start watering, you can keep the container in a cool spot to assist with root growth. Then move to a bright window so mother nature can do her work.

Keep the Paperwhites from Stretching and Growing Too Tall

One pain point --- paperwhites growing too tall and flopping over. Here is the fix! When the shoots reach about 2 inches tall, add a bit of alcohol to your water. The alcohol stunts the growth of the stems but doesn't impact the blooms. Add about 1 part vodka or gin to 7 parts water. Bright light helps too, since stems stretch when they’re reaching for more light.

How to Keep Your Bulbs Happy

Water matters most. Bulbs in active growth can dry out within a day or two, so check the water level daily so the base of the bulbs and the pebbles stay moist. After they begin blooming you can move the container out of the bright sun to prolong the blooms.

Come See Us

Everything you need is in stock at Akin’s: containers, pebbles, paperwhite bulbs, nativities for decor, and sheet moss. Stop by, pick out your favorite container, and bring a little winter fragrance home.