Info on the Paperwhite/Narcissus bulbs for keeping them

How to Make a Paperwhite Narcissus Bloom Again

Paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus tazetta), commonly known as daffodil, produces delicate white and yellow flowers on long, slender stems. Garden centers typically force paperwhite bulbs to bloom, so if the bulbs are already flowering when you buy them, they will not bloom again in the same year. Gardeners often dispose of paperwhite bulbs after they finish blooming. With proper storage and care during the winter, however, your paperwhite bulbs will grow and flower again in two or three years.

Overwinter and Transplant Paperwhite Bulbs

1

Cut off the flowers and stems after the paperwhite bulbs finish blooming. Do not cut off any leaves.

2

Fill a 4- to 6-inch container halfway with potting soil. Plant the bulbs and cover with soil.

3

Place the bulbs in front of a sunny window during the winter. If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 8 or above, you may also set the bulbs outside for the winter.

4

Fertilize the bulbs once during the winter with a half-strength application of all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.

5

Transplant the bulbs to your garden after your area's last frost date in the spring. Select a site with well-drained soil and full sun during the morning. Plant bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches apart.

6

Fertilize the bulbs again using a full-strength application of houseplant fertilizer.

7

Allow the bulbs to develop stems and leaves. Paperwhite bulbs will not usually flower again in their second year.

8

Repeat this process each year until blooming occurs. It may take two or three more years for paperwhites to bloom again. After this time, you may also attempt to force the bulbs to bloom again indoors.