THE DIRT: Paper Whites in Jars

There’s nothing like ringing in the new year with fresh flowers on the table. Sort of like a fresh start.

I cleared off all the Christmas décor from the dining room table and grouped these paper whites that I’ve been “forcing” for a few weeks.

You can force paper whites in soil, pebbles or even just water. They’re super easy to grow and the pretty white flowers provide an almost instant reward. Well, not instant but within a few weeks you should have flowers.


Soil is the best and easiest way to force. Start with a small pot and fill with potting soil. Add your bulbs but don’t plant too deeply and then water. I placed my bulbs on this sunny windowsill and had buds in the jars within two weeks. The larger vase above was planted about a week later so I’m still waiting for stems and flowers. You can also force the bulbs in pebbles or just water of you don’t like the look of dirt though the clear glass.

Once my paper whites were starting to bloom, I moved them to the dining room table and grouped them on this vintage silver tray.

Each jar was wrapped in white tulle to give the grouping a light and airy look.

You can see that each plant is growing at a different pace. You can actually plant your bulbs in stages to keep your arrangement fresh looking. Have more jars and bulbs ready to replace the old dying ones.

I found these pretty stick pins and added one to each jar. Just a little bling for the new year.

Gorgeous delicate paper white against the heavy tarnished silver tray. Pretty!

Doesn’t it feel good to take down the holiday clutter and start the new year off with something fresh? Ahhhhhh.

Happy New Year’s Eve. Enjoy ringing in the new year tonight and I’ll see you next year.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Carolyn