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Paperwhite narcissus

Narcissus tazetta

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Paperwhite narcissus · Narcissus tazetta

White flowers with yellow cups and soft scent, bulbs set in water for Tết.

Care and placement

Bulbs are grown in water or pebbles with water just touching the base; no fertilizer needed; start cool and dark then move to bright indirect light; blooms 4–8 weeks later; the bulbs are toxic.

Draft mature dimensions

Maximum height (cm): 40 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 20 cm

Things to consider

TOXIC: every part, especially the bulb, contains lycorine alkaloids: ASPCA notes vomiting, salivation and diarrhea, and in larger amounts convulsions, low blood pressure and tremors in dogs, cats and horses; NC State rates it low severity. Keep bulbs from pets and children and never mistake them for onions.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

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How to grow and care for it

  1. Planting and pot

    Use a shallow container without drainage holes, 5–7 cm of pebbles or glass beads, bulbs pointed side up, and water just up to the base of the bulbs (never submerged, which rots them). Or plant in soil with the bulb tips showing.

  2. Light

    Start somewhere cool (about 7–13 °C) in little or no light until shoots are 2.5–5 cm tall, then move to bright indirect light; starting in a warm room makes them leggy and floppy. Afterwards 18–21 °C makes flowers last longer.

  3. Watering

    Keep the water at the base of the bulbs and refresh when cloudy; bulbs sitting submerged rot. Once shoots are 5–8 cm, replacing the water with 1 part liquor to 7 parts water keeps stems short without harming blooms (per Colorado State).

  4. Feeding

    No fertilizer is needed when forcing flowers in water.

  5. Pruning

    Cut spent flower stalks; it blooms only once so bulbs are usually discarded after flowering (or planted in soil in warm places).

  6. Propagation

    Offset bulbs separate from the mother bulb when grown in soil long-term in warm climates; water-forced bulbs are usually discarded after bloom. Buying fresh bulbs each season is simplest.

  7. Pests and common problems

    The most common problem is Fusarium basal rot (mushy brown base); discard affected bulbs at once. Submerged bulbs rot; stems flop with warmth and low light.

  8. For more flowers

    For well-opened, fragrant flowers on sturdy stems: good bulbs, a cool dark start, water only at the bulb base, bright indirect light once shoots rise, and a cool 18–21 °C room. White flowers with yellow cups open after 4–8 weeks.