How do You Get Paperwhites to Rebloom?
Paperwhites are typically grown as indoor flowers that bloom once and then get tossed, but with the right care after flowering, you can actually get them to rebloom. The trick is to treat them like garden bulbs: let the foliage die back naturally, store the bulbs dry over the summer, and then plant them outdoors in fall or re-force them indoors the next winter. Success isn't guaranteed every time, but following these steps gives you the best chance of seeing those fragrant white blooms again.
Can Paperwhites Really Rebloom Indoors?
Yes, but it's tricky. Paperwhites are often sold as "forced" bulbs, meaning they are tricked into blooming indoors during winter. After that forced bloom, the bulb is tired and has used up most of its stored energy. To rebloom indoors a second year, the bulb needs to rebuild that energy first. This requires planting it outdoors for a full growing season or giving it very careful storage and care. Most home gardeners have better luck planting the bulbs in the garden and letting them naturalize. A second indoor bloom is possible but less reliable.
What Should I Do with My Paperwhites Right After They Bloom?
Once the flowers fade, cut off the spent flower stalks close to the base. This stops the plant from wasting energy trying to make seeds. But do not cut the leaves yet. The green leaves are needed to photosynthesize and replenish the bulb's energy stores for next year. Keep the plant in a bright spot and continue watering as usual. Let the leaves grow until they naturally turn yellow and die back. This process can take several weeks. During this time, you can give the plant a weak dose of liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks to help the bulb recover. A balanced houseplant fertilizer (like 10-10-10) or one formulated for bulb feeding works well.
How Do I Care for the Foliage After Flowering?
The leaves are your bulb's solar panels. Keep them green and healthy as long as possible. Place the pot in a sunny window or under grow lights. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Continue fertilizing lightly every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. If you want to move the pot outdoors for summer, wait until the danger of frost has passed and gradually acclimate it to outdoor conditions. Place it in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep watering and fertilizing until the leaves start to yellow, which signals the bulb is going dormant.
Should I Cut Back the Leaves? When?
Only cut back the leaves after they have turned completely yellow or brown and died naturally. Cutting them too early robs the bulb of energy. Once the leaves are crispy and dry, you can trim them to about an inch above the bulb. If you are growing paperwhites in a pot, you can then either let the soil dry out completely and store the pot in a cool, dark place, or dig up the bulbs to store them separately. For outdoor planting, you'll dig up the bulbs after the foliage dies back.
How Do I Store Paperwhite Bulbs for Next Year?
After the leaves are dead, gently dig up the bulbs and brush off most of the soil. Do not wash them with water; that adds moisture that can cause rot. Let the bulbs dry in a warm, airy place (like a garage or shed) for a few days. Then store them in a mesh bag or an open paper bag. Keep them in a cool, dark, dry location such as a basement or closet. Ideal storage temperature is around 60–70°F (15–21°C). Check them occasionally and discard any that become soft or moldy. Store them until fall planting time (September or October in most climates).
Do Paperwhites Need Cold Treatment to Rebloom?
No, unlike tulips and hyacinths, paperwhites do not require a cold dormancy period to set flowers. This is why they are easy to force indoors right out of the bag. However, a period of cool (not freezing) temperatures can help strengthen the bulb. If you store bulbs in a cool basement (around 50–55°F), that's fine, but it's not necessary. For outdoor planting, a natural winter chill will not hurt them, but it's also not required. Paperwhites are native to the Mediterranean region and prefer mild winters. If you live in a cold climate (USDA zone 7 or colder), you will need to treat paperwhites as annuals or dig them up and store them indoors over winter.
Can I Plant My Paperwhites Outdoors After Forcing?
Yes, this is the most reliable way to get a second bloom. After the foliage dies back and you have stored the bulbs dry, plant them in your garden in the fall. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot with sandy or loamy soil. Plant bulbs about 4–6 inches deep and 3–4 inches apart. Water them in well. In mild climates (USDA zones 8–10), they will grow foliage in winter and bloom in early spring. In colder zones, you may need to grow them in containers that you overwinter indoors, or simply accept that the bulbs may not survive the ground freeze. If you live in a zone colder than 8, it's safer to keep them in pots stored in a garage or basement and bring them out in early spring.
How Do I Plant Paperwhites in the Garden to Get Them to Rebloom?
Planting outdoors gives the bulbs a chance to rebuild energy naturally. Follow these steps:
- Timing: Plant in fall, around the same time you would plant daffodils (September to November in most regions).
- Location: Full sun to partial shade. Good drainage is critical; bulbs rot in wet soil.
- Depth: Plant bulbs 4–6 inches deep, measuring from the base of the bulb to the soil surface.
- Spacing: Space bulbs about 3–4 inches apart for a naturalized look.
- After planting: Water well and add a layer of mulch to protect from temperature swings.
In spring, you should see new leaves emerge, followed by flower stalks. The bulbs may not bloom the first year after transplanting; they need a full season to settle. By the second year, you'll have a much better chance of a rebloom.
Will the Same Bulbs Bloom Again Next Year?
Maybe, but not reliably every year. Paperwhites are not as perennial as standard daffodils. Even in the garden, they tend to bloom well for two to three years and then decline. If you want a guaranteed indoor show each winter, it's easier to buy new bulbs each fall. But if you enjoy the challenge, reusing bulbs is worth trying. Some gardeners report success for three or four years with proper care. The key is patience: letting the leaves die back naturally and giving the bulb a full growing season outdoors or in a cool bright spot.
What About Re-Forcing Paperwhites Indoors a Second Time?
You can try. After the original forced bloom, follow all the post-bloom care steps, including storing the dry bulb. In late fall (October or November), plant the bulb in fresh potting soil in a container with drainage holes. Water it and place it in a cool, bright spot (around 60–65°F). Do not use a vase with water; use soil. It will take several weeks to grow leaves and then flowers. The second bloom is often smaller and fewer flowers per stalk. If the bulb feels light or shriveled, it likely doesn't have enough energy. Some people get a second bloom, but it's less showy. For best results, use larger bulbs because they store more energy.
Simple Checklist for Getting Paperwhites to Rebloom
Use this quick reference to remember the steps:
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cut off spent flower stalks | After bloom ends |
| 2 | Keep leaves growing in bright spot | 4–8 weeks after bloom |
| 3 | Fertilize lightly every 2 weeks | During foliage growth |
| 4 | Let leaves die back naturally | When they turn yellow/brown |
| 5 | Dig up and dry bulbs | After foliage is dead |
| 6 | Store in cool, dry, dark place | Summer |
| 7 | Plant outdoors in fall | September–November |
| 8 | Alternatively, re-pot in fresh soil | October–November for indoor forcing |
| 9 | Water and wait for new growth | After planting |
Checklist tip: If you are short on space or time, just toss the bulbs after flowering and buy fresh ones every fall. That's the low-effort way to enjoy paperwhites each winter. But if you like a gardening project, following this checklist gives you a real chance at a second bloom.
What If My Paperwhites Don't Rebloom?
Don't feel bad. Paperwhites are not strong perennials, and reblooming is a bonus, not a guarantee. Many factors can stop them: not enough sunlight after blooming, cutting leaves too early, poor storage, or simply the bulb being too small. Size matters – smaller bulbs rarely bloom again. If you want to try again, buy large, firm bulbs labeled for forcing. Also, some varieties, like 'Ziva' or 'Grand Soleil d'Or', are known to rebloom better than others. If you have a garden in a warm climate, naturalizing them in the ground gives the best odds. In cold climates, treat them as annuals or use containers that you can move indoors.
Experiment with a few bulbs each year. You might discover a method that works in your home. And if you get a second bloom, it's deeply satisfying to know you coaxed another round of flowers from the same bulb.
Where Can I Find Good Paperwhite Bulbs for Reblooming?
Quality bulbs make a big difference. Look for bulbs labeled as "top size" or "jumbo" because they have more stored energy. If you want to try reblooming, start with the best paperwhite bulbs you can find. Also, a good bulb storage bag can help keep your stored bulbs healthy over the summer. With the right start and careful aftercare, your paperwhites have a real shot at blooming again.