Paperwhites and Amaryllis Bulbs

Friday, March 4 | House Plants

Tips for Planting Amaryllis and Paperwhite Bulbs for Indoor Winter Blooms

Paperwhites

Paperwhites are easy to grow in your home this winter producing a fragrant bloom to enjoy for several weeks. Blooms emerge in 4-6 weeks, but dependent on light and temperature conditions.

Paperwhites in a dish of pebbles:

• Select a shallow dish with no drain hole
• Use 4-5 bulbs in 6" dish, 7 bulbs in 8" dish.
• Fill half way with pebbles
• Tuck the bulbs into the pebbles, pointed end up
• Fill with pebbles until about 1/3 of bulb remains uncovered.
• Add water, keeping water level just below bottom of bulbs.
• Place dish in dark place for 1-2 weeks until bulbs feel tight in the pebbles.
• When sprouts begin to grow, move dish to bright light.
• Add water periodically, not letting bulbs dry out.
• Cool temperatures keep flowers fresher longer.

Paperwhites in a dish of soil:

• Select pot with drain hole…sizing same as above, like dish of pebbles planting.
• Fill half way with quality potting soil.
• Place bulbs, pointed end up
• Fill with soil until top 1/3 of bulb remains uncovered.
• Water well and put in dark place until sprouts emerge.
• Move into bright light.
• Keep bulbs moist, not soggy.
• Cool temps keep flowers fresher longer.

Amaryllis

• Add soil to pot(with drain hole), filling about bottom third of pot.
• Size of pot will depend on size of bulb…pot should have about 1 inch space around largest width of bulb.
• Place bulb, pointed end up, and fill with moist soil around bulb until about top 1/3 of bulb remains uncovered.
• Place pot in brightly lit, warm room, about 70 degrees F
• Water slightly to begin with, more water needed as foliage and flower emerges, when it needs water every other day.
• Blooms should emerge in 6-8 weeks.