See how easy it is to force (grow indoors) paperwhite narcissus in soil. Paperwhite narcissus perfumes your indoor garden in the fall and winter months. Buy bulbs in late summer and fall to plant in fall for fall and winter blooms. (This video was filmed last January, but late summer and fall is the time to buy the bulbs and plant them!)
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Today, I’m adding to my series on forcing paperwhite narcissus indoors. I love this plant to force indoors during the winter months—the scent is amazing, and the plant is beautiful, too! You can see this plant here, with one flower stalk, giving off a lovely scent, as I mentioned. In previous videos, I showed you how to grow these bulbs in water.
Now, a viewer has asked about planting them in soil, which is a great question. In this video, I’ll show you how to plant paperwhite narcissus in soil, allowing you to grow them in both mediums. While these plants grow well in both water and soil, if you have more than one bulb and want to plant them together, you’ll likely need to use soil.
For this demonstration, I have one bulb that I’ll plant in this container. You’ll notice that this container doesn’t have any drainage holes, which is ideal for forcing bulbs indoors. For those pots that you love the look of and want to use for indoor bulbs, this is the perfect opportunity.
Now, I have some soil here. You want to make sure the soil isn’t too thick and heavy, as this could cause the bulb to rot. Choose a soil mix with perlite or pumice to ensure good drainage. I also have a pumice product here that you can add. The good thing about this method is that you can use used soil, as you won’t need the soil to hold a lot of nutrients.
When you plant a bulb, it uses its stored nutrients to grow, so for these purposes, the soil quality isn’t as critical. This means you could use an older potting soil or even a heavier one with added pumice to ensure proper drainage. I wouldn’t recommend using regular garden soil, as it’s generally too heavy. For heavier potting soil, just add a bit of pumice to improve drainage.
Now, I’ll fill up this container with soil. You want to fill it up high enough to leave a bit of a lip, which is helpful, as these bulbs will develop extensive root systems. If the container isn’t deep enough, the bulb may push up out of the soil, which can make watering challenging.
To plant, I’ll simply push the bulb halfway into the soil so some of it remains exposed on top. You don’t want to bury the bulb completely. Once planted, roots will begin to form in the soil, and the bulb will start to grow. Initially, place the pot in a darker area of your home to encourage root development. It doesn’t need to be pitch-black, but a darker location helps.
As the bulb starts to grow, gradually move it to brighter areas. Avoid placing the plant in too bright of a light, as it can speed up the blooming process and shorten the lifespan of the flowers. Keep it away from drafts and heating ducts, which can dry out the buds and cause the flowers to fade faster.
I planted this bulb in pre-moistened soil, which I recommend. The soil should be moist but not soggy. After planting, give it a light watering to settle the soil around the bulb. Water again when the top half-inch to inch of soil feels dry, depending on the pot size. For this container, I’ll water when the top half-inch is dry.
Initially, this plant won’t need water for at least a week, possibly longer. Once roots begin growing, you’ll notice growth at the top, and you’ll need to keep an eye on watering.
And that’s how you grow paperwhite narcissus indoors in soil to enjoy their fragrance in the winter months. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and hit the bell if you’d like notifications for new videos.
Paperwhite Narcissus Indoor Growing FAQ
What are paperwhite narcissus bulbs?
Paperwhite narcissus bulbs are popular winter-flowering plants known for their beautiful blooms and lovely fragrance, making them ideal for indoor forcing during colder months.
How can I plant paperwhite narcissus in soil?
To plant paperwhite narcissus in soil, select a container without drainage holes and use a soil mix with good drainage properties, such as one containing perlite or pumice. Fill the container, leaving some space at the top, and plant the bulb halfway into the soil, keeping the top portion exposed.
Should I use drainage holes when planting paperwhite narcissus indoors?
No, drainage holes aren’t needed when forcing paperwhite narcissus bulbs indoors. Using a pot without drainage holes is beneficial for indoor bulb forcing.
What type of soil should I use for paperwhite narcissus?
Choose a soil that is not too dense and has added perlite or pumice to improve drainage. You can also use an older potting soil, as the bulb contains its own nutrient stores for growth.
How should I water paperwhite narcissus in soil?
Plant the bulb in moist soil. After planting, water lightly to settle the soil. Water again when the top half-inch to inch of soil feels dry, usually once a week or less in the initial stages.
Where should I place paperwhite narcissus indoors?
Initially, place the container in a darker part of your home to encourage root development. Gradually move it to brighter areas once it begins to grow, but avoid very bright light, drafts, or heating ducts.
How long does it take for paperwhite narcissus to bloom?
It usually takes 4-8 weeks for paperwhite narcissus bulbs to bloom indoors after planting.
What should I do once the paperwhite narcissus starts blooming?
Enjoy the blooms in a bright but indirect light location, away from drafts and heat sources. This setup will help extend the flower’s lifespan and maintain the scent longer.
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