How to Replant Paperwhite Bulbs

Replanting paperwhite bulbs from one year to the next is a simple way to extend the enjoyment of this decorative indoor plant. Paperwhites are trumpet-shaped with pure white blooms and they stand up to 8 inches tall. The plant is a bright and beautiful complement to the holiday season. Paperwhite bulbs are among the easiest and simplest bulbs to replant for indoor use and can be paired with other holiday plants, such as blood-red poinsettias for a truly eye-catching display.

Things You'll Need

• 5-inch pot
• Clean gravel

Instructions

1. Stop watering the plants after they have finished blooming and allow them to go dormant.

2. Remove the bulbs from the pot after the foliage turns brown in April or May and use scissors to cut away the foliage as close to the bulb as possible.

3. Store the bulbs in paper bags in a cool dark room through the summer months until October.

4. Fill a small 5-inch pot two-thirds full with gravel that has been thoroughly rinsed with clean water and air dried.

5. Plant the bulbs with the longest shoots first. Place four evenly spaced bulbs per pot in the gravel until half of each bulb is covered.

6. Fill the pot to the top of the gravel with water and place in a cool, sunlit area indoors. They will begin growing very quickly.

7. Keep plants in full bloom by storing them in very cool temperatures--down into the 40-degree-Fahrenheit range--during the night and when they are not on display. Blooms can be maintained for up to three weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Discard paperwhite bulbs after blooming unless they will be replanted indoors next season. They will not perform if planted outside after forced blooming.

• Paperwhite bulbs exposed to temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit won't survive.

References

• Washington State University: Paperwhite Narcissus for the Holidays
• University of Minnesota Extension: Saving Forced Bulbs after Bloom