Paperwhites need no chilling and bloom about 4 to 8 weeks after planting, according to UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Paperwhite Narcissus, or 4 to 6 weeks according to Illinois Extension (paperwhites). Both say heat and low light make the stalks tall and floppy, and the UF/IFAS page calls the flowers extremely fragrant. The ASPCA lists narcissus, including the paper white, as toxic to dogs and cats, with the bulbs the most poisonous part.
Planting
UF/IFAS says to use a well-drained potting mix, or gravel, pebbles or marble chips, in a pot 3 to 5 inches deep with drainage holes, with bulbs pointed end up and tips exposed. Illinois describes a soil method (pot two thirds full, tips showing) and a pebble method, with water to the bottom of the bulbs and not submerging them. It says to plant bulbs about an inch apart.
Light and temperature
Illinois says to keep the container at 50 to 60°F for a week or two after potting to encourage rooting, then move it to a warm area in the low 70s°F with bright light, and to a cooler place out of direct sun once buds open, to prolong the flowers. UF/IFAS says to use a sunny, cool location, that too little light or too much warmth makes leaves and stalks tall and floppy, and that too much sun makes the flowers deteriorate.
| Topic | UF/IFAS | Illinois Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Time to bloom | About 4 to 8 weeks | Typically 4 to 6 weeks |
| Chilling | Not needed | Not needed; 50 to 60°F for a week or two after potting for roots |
| Light | Sunny, cool location | As much light as possible |
| Temperature | Cool; no number given | Low 70s°F after rooting; 60s°F to prevent lanky growth |
| Floppy stems | Linked to warmth or low light | Stake, keep cool, or use the alcohol method |
Preventing floppy stems
Illinois lists staking and the Cornell alcohol method. Cornell research, as summarised by Illinois, found that adding alcohol to the water can reduce plant height by one third to one half while keeping the flower size, fragrance and longevity the same. Once shoots reach one to two inches, replace the water with a 4 to 6 percent alcohol solution, using 1 part 70 percent rubbing alcohol to 11 parts water, or 1 part hard liquor (about 40 percent) to 7 parts water. The article says to avoid beer and wine because their sugars can cause mold and bacteria, and that too much alcohol damages plants. UF/IFAS does not mention the alcohol tip.
Fragrance
UF/IFAS says the flowers are extremely fragrant and that yellow-flowered types are especially fragrant. Illinois adds that ‘Ziva’, the most widely grown variety, has a strong, musky scent some people find objectionable, and that ‘Inbal’, ‘Wintersun’ and ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ have less or a more pleasing scent. For other scent topics, see Plant Fragrance and Headaches.
Paperwhites and pets
The ASPCA lists narcissus, which includes the paper white, as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, naming lycorine and other alkaloids and noting that the bulbs are the most poisonous part. See Fragrant Houseplants That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs.
Frequently asked questions
Do paperwhites need to be chilled?
No. UF/IFAS says paperwhites do not need chilling, unlike most spring-flowering bulbs.
How long do paperwhites take to bloom?
About 4 to 8 weeks according to UF/IFAS, and typically 4 to 6 weeks according to Illinois Extension.
Why are my paperwhites floppy?
Too little light or too much warmth, according to both sources.
Can I plant paperwhites again next year?
The sources read here do not cover re-forcing. UF/IFAS says re-blooming is difficult, and Illinois treats paperwhites as annuals because they are only hardy to zone 8.
Sources read for this page
Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Written by Md. Firozur Rahman. This page gives general guidance; see the Disclaimer.
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