Paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) are a popular type of bulb, cherished for their sweetly fragrant, pure white blossoms that often appear during the winter holidays. These flowers are a welcome sight, but their ability to return for a second season is a common source of confusion for gardeners and indoor growers alike. Whether a paperwhite will rebloom is entirely dependent on its environment and the care it receives after its initial flowering period. The fundamental difference lies in whether the bulb is grown naturally outdoors in a suitable climate or forced indoors for a temporary display.
Understanding Paperwhite Hardiness
Paperwhites are perennial bulbs, meaning they are biologically capable of returning year after year, but they lack cold tolerance. Unlike traditional daffodils, paperwhites are native to the Mediterranean region and are only cold-hardy in warm climates, specifically United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones 8 through 11. These zones rarely experience the prolonged freezing temperatures that would destroy the bulb’s structure.
If a paperwhite bulb is planted outdoors in a climate colder than Zone 8, winter temperatures will typically freeze and kill the bulb, preventing reblooming. This geographical restriction is why most people outside of the warmest regions find that their paperwhites do not return annually. For these gardeners, the bulbs function effectively as tender annuals, even though their biology is perennial.
Post-Flowering Care for Outdoor Bulbs
For gardeners in the mild climates of Zones 8–11, a paperwhite bulb can naturalize and become a reliable perennial, but specific care is required after flowering. The most important step for reblooming is allowing the foliage to complete its natural cycle. Once the blooms have wilted, the flower stalks should be cut off, but the long, green leaves must remain attached to the bulb.
These leaves produce the carbohydrates and nutrients necessary to replenish the energy stores within the bulb through photosynthesis. This energy fuels the development of the next season’s flower bud. Removing the foliage prematurely starves the bulb and prevents it from gathering enough energy to produce flowers the following year. The leaves must be allowed to yellow and die back completely on their own, which usually takes several weeks.
During this period, the bulb needs consistent moisture and sunlight to maximize energy production. Once the foliage has fully withered, the bulb enters summer dormancy, preferring warm, dry conditions in the soil. Proper nutrition, such as a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer applied during the active growth phase, can assist in rebuilding the bulb’s reserves.
The Outcome for Indoor Forced Bulbs
The vast majority of paperwhites are grown indoors, a process known as “forcing,” which produces rapid winter blooms but makes reblooming highly improbable. Forcing involves providing the bulb with water and warmth to stimulate immediate growth, bypassing the natural cycle of rooting and nutrient uptake. The bulb relies solely on the stored energy reserves it had when purchased.
This rapid growth and flowering completely depletes the bulb’s stored carbohydrates, as it lacks the time or environment to generate new energy through photosynthesis. The forcing process consumes nearly all the resources needed to form the next year’s flower bud. Even if the spent bulb is planted outside in a mild climate, its reserves are so low that it will likely only produce leaves, or “greens,” for several seasons as it attempts to slowly recover.
For indoor growers, the paperwhite bulb functions as a single-use annual display item. Nursing a depleted bulb back to flowering health often takes two to three years of optimal outdoor care, which is rarely practical. Therefore, the most realistic outcome for paperwhites that have been forced indoors is disposal after the blooms have faded.