We are now in the cold, dark months of winter. The holidays are over, and there are no more fun things to do. When you wake up and look out the window, all you see is snow or January, which looks boring. During these months, houseplants are especially welcome because they help make up for the gray, gloomy view outside your window. Need to get better? With paperwhites and other bulbs, forcing them indoors is a great way to add some color and cheer into your house throughout the winter months.

Paperwhite narcissus, amaryllis, and hyacinth are the most popular bulbs to force for Christmas. The paperwhites have small clusters of white and yellow flowers that smell sweet and are very delicate. Amaryllis is a big bulb that grows into a big plant with big, colorful flowers. Red is a natural choice for the holidays, but white is a fresh choice that can last through the New Year. “Apple Blossom,” a fresh pink/peach color, is our favorite. Hyancinths need the most planning ahead of time, but their fragrant white, pink, and blue blooms are worth it. (For the holidays, we like the white better!)

With some decorative gravel or stones and a glass container, it’s easy to force paperwhites to grow. When you grow bulbs in glass, you can watch the roots grow, which gives the plant a more natural look. Plus, it’s just cool. 😉 We like to use a taller pot to help the plants stay steady as they grow. We also add a little charcoal from the indoor plants section to keep the water smelling nice.

Buy bulbs that are firm, full, and free of flaws. Quality is important when forcing in particular. Here lies a disagreement… The traditional type of paper whites is called “Zika,” and they are known to have a very “select” smell. In gardening, it’s one of those things that you either love or hate. I happen to be in the second group. We’re lucky that there are types that smell much less strong. The one we like best is called “Inbar.” They are also a little shorter than the paper whites you buy at the store, so they are less likely to fall over. But remember that “Inbar” likes to be forced in dirt, not water.

On the internet, there is a tip about how to keep stems from falling over. There is a theory that the stems will grow straighter and stronger if you mix equal parts water and vodka. We can’t say that this has worked for us, but a lot of people who have grown bulbs before swear by it. And to be honest, it’s kind of a pricey way to water your plants. Don’t forget that you can stake your bulbs if they don’t grow. We suggest giving them bright light while they are budding and turning the vase every day to keep this from happening.

You might want to force in soil for the plants that like it or to make gifts easier to move. Plant the bulbs just below the surface of potting soil that drains well in a pot of your choice. Water well and keep the soil damp. Put somewhere cool for 7–10 days, until roots start to grow, and then move to a bright, warm place.

Put the amaryllis in a shallow, water-tight container. Add charcoal bits until the container is two-thirds full. Fill with a little bit of warm water, just enough to cover the pebbles. You don’t need gravel to force Amaryllis if you have a special vase that fits the bulb snugly. Place one Amaryllis bulb, root side down, on top of the pebbles. Try to buy a bulb with roots that look fleshy and healthy. Add more pebbles until you get to the neck of the bulb to give it support as it grows. As needed, add water so that the level of water is just below the bottom of the bulb. Every few days, you can check the level by sticking your finger down into the pebbles. The water level should be where the picture on the left shows. The water level in the picture on the right is too high, and the bulb will rot. Parade took the picture.

I really hope that my article about DIY Planter Design was enjoyable to you! Check out my blogs on DIY Project for more ideas of making Home Garden!

Forcing hyacinths to bloom takes some work because the bulbs need to be chilled for 12 to 13 weeks before they can be planted. Some nurseries sell bulbs that have already been chilled, but you should still put them in the fridge in a paper bag for two to three weeks before planting them. Tip: Don’t put bulbs and fruit in the same fridge. Fruit that is getting ready to ripen gives off ethylene gas, which hurts bulbs and makes them not bloom as well.

Hyacinths can be forced in a vase with water, stones, or soil one inch below the surface. Make sure it’s in a dark, cool spot until it grows to a height of 2 inches or so. Then move to a window with bright, indirect light and a cool temperature. (Keep the soil in potted bulbs just a little damp.)