Paperwhites ( Narcissus papyraceus) are popular, fragrant, winter-blooming bulbs cherished for their delicate white flowers. These plants belong to the Narcissus genus, which also includes daffodils. Their popularity stems from their ability to be easily “forced” into bloom indoors without a chilling period. This ease of growth leads many gardeners to wonder if these bulbs can flower again after their initial indoor display.
The Indoor vs. Outdoor Rebloom Distinction
The ability of a paperwhite bulb to rebloom is determined by its growing environment and method. When grown naturally outdoors in appropriate climates, the bulbs rebloom reliably year after year, similar to daffodils. Paperwhites are perennial bulbs best suited for U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11, where the climate is frost-free.
Conversely, paperwhites “forced” indoors, often in water and pebbles, rarely bloom again the following season. This method encourages the bulb to flower out of its natural cycle, prioritizing immediate display over long-term energy storage. While the original bulb can survive, its capacity to produce another showy stem is severely diminished by the forcing process.
Even when forced in soil indoors, the bulbs often struggle to recover enough energy to produce a second bloom. The difference lies in the plant’s natural growth cycle and its ability to recharge after expending the energy required for flowering. Therefore, for most people living outside of warm southern climates, the forced paperwhite is a one-season houseplant.
Why Forced Paperwhites Rarely Reflower
The primary reason forced paperwhite bulbs fail to rebloom is bulb exhaustion. A bulb is a storage organ packed with the starches and nutrients needed to initiate flowering. Forcing a bulb triggers this stored energy prematurely, using up nearly all reserves to push out rapid growth and flowers.
When the bulb is grown in a water and pebble setting, it has no access to external nutrients to replenish its depleted reserves after blooming. The plant’s foliage, which generates new energy through photosynthesis, is usually insufficient or not given enough time to function. This lack of recharge leaves the bulb weak and unable to form a new flower bud for the next season.
Even if the foliage remains green, the bulb’s energy is often spent maintaining the leaves rather than rebuilding the reserves necessary for a robust bloom. Forming a new flower bud is nutrient-intensive and requires a complete internal restoration that cannot happen in a non-nutritive indoor environment. Without this recovery period, the bulb essentially becomes a spent battery.
Essential Care for Naturalizing Paperwhites
For gardeners in mild climates (Zones 8-11) who wish to attempt reblooming, the spent indoor bulb must be transitioned outdoors to “naturalize.” After the flowers fade, deadhead the plant by trimming off the spent flower stalk, but leave the foliage completely intact. The green leaves must be allowed to continue photosynthesizing, as this is the only way the bulb can rebuild its energy stores.
The bulb should then be planted outdoors in a location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Plant the bulb approximately six inches deep and several inches apart from other bulbs. This depth helps stabilize the bulb and protects it from temperature fluctuations.
During active leaf growth, the area can be lightly fertilized with a bulb-specific fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage root and bulb development. Do not cut the foliage until it naturally yellows and dies back. This signals that the leaves have transferred all their remaining energy back to the subterranean bulb. It may take two or three years for a forced bulb to fully recover and bloom again after being planted outside.