How To Grow and Use Paperwhites In Your Winter Decor
Have you ever wondered about how to grow and use Paperwhites in your Winter decor? Well today is your lucky day! I am sharing all about how to grow these beautiful white flowers and why I think they are the perfect addition to anybody’s Winter decor.
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But before I get into all things Paperwhites I owe a huge thank you to Amber of Follow The Yellow Brick Home for including me in her Cozy Winter Home Tours hop. If you are coming over from Michelle of Thistle Key Lane and her beautiful Winter family room, welcome! I just love her style and blog. You can also find several other Winter posts linked at the end of mine!
How To Grow and Use Paperwhites In Your Winter Decor
As we dive into January so many winter decorating ideas are already swirling around in my head but one theme keeps returning; decorating with Paperwhites. These beautiful (and sometimes stinky) flowers have captured my heart. I have had so much fun researching and gazing at Paperwhite flower inspiration over on Pinterest. I thought you might also enjoy the inspiration and enjoy seeing how mine turned out.
Where To Buy Paperwhites
A few months ago I found a bag of Paperwhite bulbs at Lowe’s and decided I would give them a try. You can find Paperwhite bulbs at your local garden center or you can find them on-line. I found them on-line at Amazon as well as a wonderful website called White Flower Farm. The good news is that they aren’t hard to find!
When Should You Plant Paperwhite Bulbs
If you are looking at growing your paperwhites outdoors in your garden, the best time is anytime between September and December. All you have to do is water the area after planting and then pretty much forget about the bulbs until spring! So easy, right?
How To Force Paperwhites
However, these flowers are perfect to grow in the Winter because you can force these bulbs to grow at any time. They are basically foolproof! The directions were on the bag so I gave it a try. It was surprisingly easy!
TIP: If you want these to be ready for Christmas plant them the last week of October or first week of November!
First, find a shallow bowl or container to use as a planter and make sure it doesn’t have drainage holes. Fill the planter with rocks. (I purchased my rocks at the Dollar Store.) Funny side note story: My family thought I had added a Zen Garden of sorts and couldn’t figure out why I had a bowl full of rocks on the kitchen counter! ha ha.:) After a good giggle it was fun to explain that I was forcing bulbs! 
Next, nuzzle your upright bulbs halfway down into your rocks. Finally, add enough water to cover just the very bottom of the bulbs. Water sporadically over the next four weeks making sure not to add too much water so they don’t rot. 
Keep them out of direct sunlight and they should flower in 4-6 weeks. And that’s it! I know, so simple right? Since these flowers are so easy to grow they are perfect for beginning gardeners!
How To Use Paperwhites In Your Winter Decor
I don’t know about you but once Christmas is over I feel a bit sad and I start craving flowers and signs of Spring. Paperwhite flowers are the perfect flower for that awkward in between time of Winter and Spring.
I mean aren’t they just so pretty? They are easy to decorate with and look good no matter where you put them. You could use them as a centerpiece, in a vignette, on top of baskets, in a window. There are so many options! All I know is each time I walk into this room they make me smile. Now on the other hand, my husband can’t stand the smell. I honestly haven’t notice their smell yet…maybe it’s because I am short. 😉
How I Decorated With My Paperwhites
I added them to the top of my favorite green dresser. Here I created a layered vignette using my blue and white Home Goods bowl, vintage windows from Junk Wonderful and a fabulous and colorful barn print from local artist Kaley Alie Art! In my opinion you can never go wrong with a layered vignette. Oh, and I also added a little bit of moss on top of the rocks for even more fun texture!
These beauties are fun to look at from every angle. You really can’t go wrong with decorating with them.
Update: I grew them again this year and this time put them in a basket meant to hold bottles of wine. I am obsessed! I love how they can basically be planted anywhere. For the basket I simply planted the bulbs in cups filled with rocks. When they start to flop I will tie them up with ribbons!
Check out this fun video I shared over on Tik Tok of how I planted them!
I will be sad when they are done blooming but luckily I found some great faux options… I will link those for you below!
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What Do I Do With My Paperwhite Bulbs After They Bloom?
Wondering what to do with your paperwhites after they bloom? Well you just have to wait six weeks after the paperwhite blooms, turn the pot on its side and then store it in a spot where it will not freeze. Some of the best places are your garage or basement. In the fall, grab your pot and turn it upright, place it in the sun, water the bulb completely and keep watering them until the paperwhite blooms again in the spring. Amazing right? I can’t wait to try this. I will let you know how it goes!
How To Grow and Use Paperwhites In Your Winter Decor
So what do you think? Will you try your hand at growing Paperwhites or will go the faux route? Either way they make a pretty statement anywhere you choose to add them in your home! Hopefully I was able to answer some of your questions on how to grow and use Paperwhites in your Winter decor. If you do have any questions just leave them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer them for you!
Next up on the hop is Shannon of Belle Bleu Interiors. Her home is beautiful and so is her blog!
xoxo,
Kelly
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Your paperwhites look gorgeous! It’s been a few years since I’ve grown any and after seeing your post, I’m going to stop by the Feed and Seed today to see if they have any bulbs left. I plant my bulbs outdoors after they bloom and believe it or not, they bloom outdoors for me each year.
They are so pretty in you chinoiserie bowl. I bought some and put them by the kitchen sink. They smelled like we had spoiled food in our kitchen so they got planted outside. I just love how they look. The smell not so much. Your display and that painting are adorable.
I love all the beautiful finds you and your Mom found while treasure hunting Kelly! They’re all totally fabulous. Thanks so much for the great tips on how to grow paperwhites too. They’re one of my favorite flowers and yours are just gorgeous. Hugs, CoCo
Your paperwhite are doing well. Love the cabinet and windows.
Cindy
I’ve grown paperwhites several times very similar to your lovely display. Every time they look a mess because the paperwhites grow too tall and fall over. Have you had this experience? What am I doing wrong?
Hi Linda thanks for stopping by. This was my fist time growing them and so far they are not falling over. But I have heard this is common. I have heard that you can tie ribbon around them to keep them up or buy mini support rings to hold them up. I hope that helps!
Your paperwhites are amazing. Great post. Thanks for the tips.
I have always been hesitant to try anything bulb related after trying for years to grow tulips. I see paperwhites all over the place and love them. You make it sound easy enough. Guess I’ll try again. But…I’ll think of you and curse your name if they don’t work. Just Kidding. LOL. Or am I? 🙂
Oh my gosh you are hilarious! I am laughing so hard right now! I PROMISE they are SO easy…you won’t have to curse my name:)
They are gorgeous, Kelly! I had a hard time finding some this year, so I was late planting mine, but I am starting to see a few green sprouts! Stay cozy! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Kelly, thanks for the helpful tips for growing paperwhites. I may just try my hand at it. The Chinoiserie bowl you planted them is is gorgeous, and I am swooning over that pretty green chest!
What a gorgeous setting for those wonderful Paperwhites! I used to plant multiple pots that started blooming right after Thanksgiving. I haven’t done that in years and really miss growing them. I have to say that green dresser is such a show stopper. Add the blue/white color theme on top and it’s just so wonderful; sort of gets me thinking of “Spring” !
Thank you! I think I may just have to try my hand at multiple pots next time!It makes me think of Spring too!
I grew some paperwhites for the first time this winter. They have finished blooming now, and I am wondering what to do with them now. The leaves need to soak up some sun to bloom next year, but it is too cold to put them outside. I need to find a spot for them out of the way now. I had to stake the leaves as they flopped over.
I’m totally trying this, Kelly! You had me at “fool proof.” LOL! Your photography is stunning, and you’ve inspired me to order some paperwhites to give this a try. I had no idea that some people think they are stinky. It might be worth the beauty, though, especially this time of year. Great post!
Your paperwhites are so beautiful! I also love how you displayed them with pretty blues and greens. I don’t exactly have a green thumb but I am willing to give your instructions a try! I’m inspired!
Shelley
Kelly, such a nice break from the mostly gray skies of winter in Pittsburgh — fresh flowers in a stunning pot. I’ve never tried to grow them myself. Wonder if how you react to their scent is a DNA thing? I know some people (like yours truly) love the taste of cilantro. Others describe it as tasting like a bar of soap! Apparently your genes determine the reaction. Maybe it’s something similar with smell and paperwhites?
Thank you! I was lucky to catch a sunny day here in Colorado. Maybe it is a DNA thing…because they don’t bother me but the definitely bother my husband!Ha Have fun if you grow them!
I wish this was scratch and sniff; I love the fragrance of paper whites! So fresh for the new year; they’d make me happy, too. I’ve never tried them; guess I just never think of it before Christmas. Honestly, I should just get some now and enjoy them in March…right about when we’re getting our last big snowfalls:(
I love paperwhites and plant them every year for Christmas. This year, I bought the bulbs but didn’t get them planted. I now have them planted for winter. Can’t wait till they bloom. Yours look beautiful!
hugs,
Jann
I love paperwhites and had some a few years ago. So much fun to watch the growing process. You really picked the perfect bowl to plant them in, the bright green and blue look so pretty together. Love your layered vignette too Kelly!
Just gorgeous Kelly! Last year I did a post on winter decorating with paperwhites and just updated it to include one of your beautiful photos and a link to this post.
Your vignette is stunning with combination of green, blue chinoiserie, and the rustic windows. Love the colorful painting. Paperwhites are so perfect for transitioning from winter to spring and your vignette is wonderful for winter or early spring! Paperwhites and daffodils overlap in their early blooming time here in KY. The daffodils last longer until the tulips start popping up. Okay I am getting off on a spring gardening tangent…it’s on my mind!
Thank you so much for joining the winter home tours!
Thank you Amber! Wow what an honor to be included in your post…thank you so much! I will hop over and check it out! Thanks for having me on your tour!
Kelly, great explanation of how to grow paper whites. I love them, but last year we had one that just never grew. I think it was bad from the start. Now I want to try again. Love your bowl and how you styled your vignette. What a pretty green dresser. Happy to be on the home tour with you and thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About.
Blessed to have you at TTA this week, Kelly! We love seeing your posts! I received some forced bulbs this year as a birthday gift… it was so fun (and fragrant) to have hyacinth and amaryllis in bloom inside My Wee Abode! Do you know what to do with the bulbs when they are done blooming? Do you just toss them and start again? Inquiring minds want to know! (Pinned to my small home gardening board… these are great for tiny homes with no outside space!)
Kelly, I have been wanting to grow paperwhites but just really never knew how. Thanks for sharing this. Great blog for this time of the year. Your home is lovely.
Thank you Terrie! good luck if you give them a try…so simple yet so pretty!
Thank you for posting about paperwhites! We are currently waiting on them to go half price at the store…my husb. does a great job of growing them along with amarylis. Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by! I’m all about half price…thanks for the tip! Have fun growing those along with your amaryllis!
Kelly,
I love paperwhites! And the way you decorated with them… Planted in a blue and white bowl atop you spring-y green chest definitely chases away the Winter greys.
Judith
Thank you Judith! Blues and greens always seem to work for me!
Kelly, I have never done this before and need to try! They look so beautiful in your home!! Thanks for the tips so I won’t feel so lost!
Thank you Kristin! You will fall in love with their ease and beauty!
Kelly,
I have some started now. Love paper whites in winter.
There is just something so special about them…and boy are they easy!
I am a paperweight virgin and have never grown them! But they look like they’re pretty straightforward and easy to grow. The color is vibrant and beautiful for the spring. Thanks for the beautiful blog post.
Oh my gosh I am laughing so hard! THey really are straightforward…you need to try them!
I love how you styled these, I have a similar little bowl I could try. They are growing so straight, do they ever fall over for you? I’m super impressed!
Thank you! ANd yes… eventually after a few weeks they start to droop. I simply wrap them with a bow! THey look pretty that way too!
Your paperwhites are so pretty, Kelly. I’ve never tried anything like this before, but you make it look so easy! And the flowers are such a fun and easy way to bring a little cheer indoors during the cold and gloomy winter months.
I promise it is SUPER easy and so worth it! Let me know if you try it!
I still love this post… one year later! 🙂 I think I may need to do my own. Wonder if it’s too late? Pinned, again!
Ha you are good! It’s not too late at all:) THanks for pinning!
I’ve always wanted to try forcing paperwhites to bloom but it seemed so intimidating. You’ve made it sound so easy! I’m definitely giving this a try next year because I’m right with you in craving signs of spring as soon as the holidays are over. Love that you can reuse the bulbs from one year to the next!
You should for sure try it…I bet you will be surprised at how easy it really is! It’s a great step in the direction of Spring for sure!
They are such beautiful flowers. I really need to do this and am grateful for the helpful hints you shared.
Shawna you will absolutely LOVE them if you force them. They are SO easy I promise!