Paper-white narcissus in bloom. (Dreamstime)

Paper-white narcissus in bloom. (Dreamstime)

Need a centerpiece? Plant paper-whites for December beauty

The white flowering plant brings the garden indoors in winter, even if the bulbs were never outside.

  • By Nancy Brachey The Charlotte Observer
  • Saturday, December 16, 2017 1:30am
  • Life

By Nancy Brachey / The Charlotte Observer

For apartment dwellers or anyone planning a party in December, paper-white narcissus are hard to beat. A pot or bowl of these pretty plants in bloom makes a great centerpiece or table decoration that you can put together yourself.

Paper-white narcissus brings the garden indoors in winter, even if the bulbs never spent a day outside. They are tailor-made for people who have no garden space but have a yen to make something pretty for the holidays.

Most paper-white bulbs produce white flowers, but a few types are yellow, which I do not think of as a color for December.

Paper-whites are bulbs, but unlike tulips, hyacinths and daffodils, they do not require a long stretch in cold soil outdoors. Once planted in soil or just water, they will break dormancy, grow roots, send up leaves and bloom. What could be easier?

You have two basic choices for planting them: a bowl of water with the roots well anchored by pebbles or in a pot of soil. In water, the bottom of the bulbs must be right at the water level to encourage root development but not allow the bulb to rot. That is one reason a clear bowl is nice for this project. You can see the roots develop and keep the water level just right.

In pots, set the bulbs so they are close but not touching, with the growing tips just above the soil line. Set the potted bulbs in a saucer to catch water that seeps out the bottom of the pot. This avoids wrecking the finish on your table.

Potted plants should be kept well-watered but not left in a soggy state, again to avoid the dreaded rot.

Perhaps the greatest challenge is keeping the plants in a cool environment during the early days and weeks to avoid leaves growing too tall.

What works best is a cool, sunny spot. Well away from burning fireplaces, furnace registers and other sources of heat. Heat brings the flowers and leaves along too quickly, and they tend to flop over without the help of stakes and string to keep them upright.

Fortunately, the Everett outdoors is often just right for the development of paper-white narcissus. That means a deck, patio or steps where you can easily grab them and bring indoors if the weather forecast calls for freezing weather.

Some years ago, researchers at Cornell University announced they had found a way to keep the foliage and stems of paper-whites from getting too tall and flopping even when grown in warm temperatures indoors. It involved the addition of certain types of alcohol such as gin or vodka to the water in which they grow. The complete report and instructions are at www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/bulb/Pickling_your_Paperwhites.pdf.

Herald staff contributed to this story.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.