When to Plant Paperwhites for Christmas
Pot paperwhites 4 to 6 weeks before you want flowers. For Christmas 2026, that is Nov 13 to Nov 27. They need no chill. Plant a batch every 2 weeks for bl...
Published by ThriveThyme
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The Short Answer
Pot paperwhites 4 to 6 weeks before you want them in bloom. For Christmas 2026, pot them between Nov 13 and Nov 27. They need no cold treatment, so you can buy them, pot them, and wait.
The Bulb Forcing Desk counts back from any date and can add pot and bloom reminders to your calendar.
Potting Dates for 2026 and 2027
| Bloom by | Pot between |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving, Nov 26 | Oct 15 and Oct 29 |
| Christmas, Dec 25 | Nov 13 and Nov 27 |
| New Year's Day, Jan 1 | Nov 20 and Dec 4 |
| Valentine's Day, Feb 14 | Jan 3 and Jan 17 |
MU Extension gives 4 to 6 weeks from planting to flowers. Warm rooms run fast: UW-Madison Extension sees bloom in 3 to 5 weeks, and Cornell sees flowers in 2 to 3 weeks in some cases. Penn State Extension expects about 6 weeks at 68 to 70F. Start at the early date and slow them down with a cooler room if they race ahead.
How to Plant Them
- Fill a bowl about two thirds with pebbles, gravel, or potting mix.
- Set the bulbs on top, pointed end up, an inch apart or less. Crowded bulbs hold each other up.
- Fill in around them so the tips show.
- Add water until it just touches the base of the bulbs. Water over the bulbs makes them rot.
- Keep them cool, about 45 to 50F if you can, for 2 to 3 weeks while roots grow.
- Move them to a bright window once shoots are an inch or two tall. Keep the water at the base of the bulbs.
Keep Them From Flopping
Paperwhites often grow too tall and tip over. Cornell's Flower Bulb Research Program found a fix:
- Wait until roots are growing and shoots are 1 to 2 inches tall.
- Pour off the water and replace it with about 5 percent alcohol: 1 part 80 proof gin, vodka, or whiskey to 7 parts water. With 70 percent rubbing alcohol, use 1 part to 10 or 11 parts water.
- Use that mix for all later watering.
Plants come out a third to half shorter with full-size flowers. Do not use beer or wine. Stay well below 10 percent alcohol.
Bloom All Winter
MU Extension suggests a new batch every 2 weeks in November for fragrant flowers through February. Penn State Extension stores unplanted bulbs at 55 to 60F until their turn. MU Extension warns that bulbs kept warm may fail to flower.
After Bloom
Most people compost them. MU Extension notes paperwhites are not winter hardy outdoors in Missouri, so in most cold-winter areas they will not survive planted out.
Paperwhites are a kind of daffodil. The ASPCA lists daffodils as toxic to dogs and cats, so keep the bowl out of reach. See pet-safe plants.
Sources
- University of Missouri Extension, Paperwhites: Just add water for instant spring
- Penn State Extension, Enjoying Paperwhite Narcissus in Winter
- UW-Madison Extension, Forcing Bulbs
- Cornell Flower Bulb Research Program, Pickling Your Paperwhites
- ASPCA, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
Next Steps
Plan the whole holiday window on the Bulb Forcing Desk. Adding amaryllis? Read when to plant amaryllis for Christmas. For flowers in late winter, force tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.