For this week’s Holiday plant, let’s discuss the Paperwhite Narcissus. You may not know this flower by name, but chances are you have seen it on display on a front porch or in a neighbor’s holiday landscaping. The Paperwhite Narcissus is a great holiday plant because it’s one of the easiest bulbs to force if you want a beautiful floral display. There are not really any preparation requirements to be concerned with and you can plant them as soon as you get them home. It’s best to buy the bulbs that are firm to the touch and show no signs of discoloration.
If you are planting your Paperwhite Narcissus in a decorative container, make sure that it is shallow and use an inch or two of potting soil that is sterile. Plant the bulbs close together with the pointed end up. After, you want to add more potting soil to ensure that the bulbs will be held in place. Also, leave the top half of the bulbs uncovered and water the flowers thoroughly and often so they stay moist. Paperwhites blooms will usually last between 4 to 8 weeks. They only bloom once, so once done, properly discard of them.