Two Creative Ways to Gift Paperwhites This Year

Two creative ways to gift paperwhites this year! Paperwhite kits are great hostess gifts, takeaway gifts at your next dinner party, gifts for school teachers, or drop off to neighbors the week between Thanksgiving and the first of December. Or anytime; they are great for winter months. I especially like to give them around Christmas and the holidays. They are such lovely flowers.

How long does it take for paperwhites to bloom?

The approximate bloom time for paperwhites is anywhere from three to six weeks. Each bulb produces several flower-bearing stems. Paperwhites that have green shoots need a bright, sunny window.

Our old house had the best window for paperwhites. The house was built in 1900 and had original windows, so it was quite drafty. It’s not great for overall comfort, but fantastic for paperwhites!

Now, I put them on our bar cart under a window that gets an amazing amount of afternoon sunlight and works beautifully. And we are nice and cozy too!

The best place to buy paperwhites

My preference is to buy paperwhite bulbs from a local nursery to ensure good quality. I always purchase mine at Terrain but you can also buy them on Amazon. They are easy to grow, and all you need (besides good quality bulbs) is a little potting soil, stones, and a pot or bowl. Once planted, place it in a sunny location with direct sunlight and keep it watered. And soon you’ll have beautiful, delicate flowers.

Ziva is the most popular variety of paperwhites sold. But it does come with pretty strong fragrant bouquets that some people dislike. Nir paperwhites are similar to Zivas, their blooms are slightly larger, and they have a lighter fragrance. With proper care, the duration of their bloom is approximately two weeks.

How to put together two different paperwhite gift kits

Option #1: paperwhite gift boxes

• Boxes 
• Paper shred
• Paperwhites
• Small bag of stones (or potting soil and moss)
• Tags
• Small pinecones and mossy sticks
• Canvas ribbon, twine and baubles, clay tags

How to put together the paperwhite boxes

1. I used black sturdy boxes that are 6x5x4. I added a little paper shred. You could even make your own cutting strips of a kraft paper bag. Fill a small bag with stones (or potting soil). I like to add a simple tag labeling it, so no one is surprised when they open it and find a bag of rocks! Tie it up with twine and add to the box.
2. Then add 3 to 5 paperwhite bulbs. I also add in a few small pinecones and a small mossy twig to add on top of the bowl once you’ve planted your paperwhites.
3. Add a little note (printable below) with simple instructions. I glued mine to the inside lid of the box. Wrap up your box using canvas ribbon. I added a small bauble and a clay tag. The perfect little gift to take to your neighbors, when meeting a friend for coffee or lunch, or your book group! Paperwhites are about $1 each and the rest of the supplies you can use for other gift projects. 

Option #2: bowls or terracotta pots

The items you’ll need to make paperwhite gifts in bowls or pots

• Paperwhite bulbs
• Pot, bowls, mason jars (or other glass containers) or simple cups
• Small pebbles or some potting soil (no special soil needed)
• Ribbon or twine
• Moss, sticks, and pinecones
• Mix of alcohol and water solution* (optional)

How to put together the paperwhite kits

1. Decide on a terracotta pot or bowl.
2. Add a small amount of pebbles or potting soil in a bag.
3. Add some sheet moss or foraged moss if using soil.
4. Consider adding twigs as stakes to help the tall stems stand straight.
5. You could add some small pine cones or berries.

Here’s a downloadable printable to use with your paperwhite gift

Click here to download the printable directions to put with your paperwhite gifts.

Did you know that paperwhites love vodka?

Did you know you can stunt the growth of paperwhites using a little vodka? The problem with paperwhites is that they often grow so tall, and all their weight is at the top.

When paperwhites are grown in a diluted solution of alcohol (vodka), they grow to only 1/3 to 1/2 of their expected height. The blooms are the normal size and amount and will last just as long as growing in water alone. But they won’t be as top-heavy and fall over nearly as easily.

Replace the water with a solution of alcohol and water

Terrain recommends seven parts water to one part vodka. Or you could use 13 parts water to one part rubbing alcohol that’s 70% alcohol.

Continue to use the alcohol solution for future watering of your paperwhites.

Bergs Scallop Pot // Green Stripe Bowl // River Stone Bowl // Paperwhite Bulbs // Frayed Velvet Ribbon // Preserved Moss // Vintage café au lait bowls

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