Why are my paperwhites flopping over?

They often grow too tall and leggy due to low light or high temperatures.

Can I plant them outside after they bloom?

Yes, if you live in a frost free climate, otherwise they are usually treated as annuals.

Plant guide

Paperwhite Narcissus.

Narcissus papyraceus

Pronounced nar-SIS-us pap-ih-RAY-see-us

Also known as Běła narcisa, Paper-White Daffodil, Paperwhite, Paperwhite narcissus, paper-white narcissus

Paperwhites are lovely, fragrant bulbs that are incredibly easy to force indoors during the winter months. They produce clusters of pure white, star shaped flowers on tall, slender stems. You don't even need soil to grow them, as they thrive in simple water and pebble setups.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Bulb
Light: Bright indirect light is best to keep stems sturdy.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 3 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 11
Bloom time: Mid winter to early spring

Care

Keep the water level just below the base of the bulbs to prevent rot. If the stems get too tall and floppy, try adding a little bit of alcohol to the water to stunt their growth. Watch for yellowing leaves, which usually means the plant is finishing its bloom cycle.

Watering: Keep the water level consistent, ensuring the base of the bulb stays dry.
Feeding: Fertilizing is not necessary for indoor forced bulbs.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks once the blooms have faded.
Repotting: These bulbs are typically discarded after blooming indoors.
Soil: None required, or well draining potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -5 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial in warm climates, often grown as annuals elsewhere.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Bulbs are crowded and pushing each other out of the container.
Roots are circling the bottom of the pot.

Safety

People: The bulbs contain lycorine and other alkaloids that are poisonous to humans and pets.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, potentially causing vomiting or diarrhea.
Children: Keep bulbs out of reach of children as they resemble onions and are highly toxic if swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the bulbs or sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The strong fragrance can trigger headaches or respiratory discomfort in confined spaces.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe stomach upset.

How to identify it

Clusters of small white flowers
Strong, sweet, musky fragrance
Long, strap like green leaves
Tall, slender, leafless flower stalks

Height: 0.3 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Bulb RotCommon
Narcissus Bulb FlyUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Soft RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, offsets
When to plant: fall
Overwintering: In cold climates, lift bulbs after foliage dies back and store in a cool, dry place. In mild climates, leave them in the ground and mulch lightly.
In containers: Excellent for indoor forcing in shallow bowls with stones and water.

Bulb Division

1. Wait until foliage has turned yellow after blooming.
2. Carefully dig up the bulb cluster.
3. Gently separate the small offsets from the main bulb.
4. Replant the offsets at the same depth as the parent.

Pair with low growing annuals to hide the foliage as it yellows after flowering.

Grows well with

Muscari · They provide a beautiful blue contrast to the white paperwhite flowers.
Pansy · Pansies tolerate the same cool weather and provide a colorful ground cover.

Similar species

Daffodil · They are closely related but require a cold winter dormancy to bloom.

Science

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Genus: Narcissus
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

They thrive in rocky, well drained soils in their native Mediterranean habitat.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: indoor forcing, winter fragrance, cut flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my paperwhites flopping over?: They often grow too tall and leggy due to low light or high temperatures.
Can I plant them outside after they bloom?: Yes, if you live in a frost free climate, otherwise they are usually treated as annuals.

Where the name comes from

Narcissus comes from the Greek myth of the youth who fell in love with his own reflection. Papyraceus refers to the paper like texture of the petals.

Good to know

They are native to the Mediterranean region.
The name papyraceus means paper like, referring to the delicate white petals.
They are popular for holiday gifting because they bloom quickly indoors.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your paperwhite narcissus growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.