Paperwhite Narcissus Plant Care
Narcissus papyraceus Ker Gawl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Narcissus papyraceus, one of a few species known as paperwhite, is a perennial bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean region, from Greece to Portugal plus Morocco and Algeria. The species is considered naturalized in the Azores, Corsica, Texas, California and Louisiana.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Paperwhite Narcissus?
Paperwhite Narcissus grows best in full sun to partial shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Paperwhite Narcissus Native To?
What Is the Paperwhite Narcissus?
Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Narcissus genus. Paperwhite Narcissus is native to the Mediterranean region, from Greece to Portugal plus Morocco and Algeria. Paperwhite Narcissus is also known as Paperwhite.
Paperwhite Narcissus displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Paperwhite Narcissus produces showy, fragrant flowers in shades of yellow, white, and orange.
What Light Does the Paperwhite Narcissus Need?
Paperwhite Narcissus thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paperwhite Narcissus?
Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Paperwhite Narcissus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Paperwhite Narcissus?
Repot every 2-3 years after flowering. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Paperwhite Narcissus?
Paperwhite Narcissus can be propagated through division of offsets, bulb scales, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narcissus abscissus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Paperwhite Narcissus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Paperwhite Narcissus?
Paperwhite Narcissus is susceptible to aphids, narcissus bulb fly, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Paperwhite Narcissus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Narcissus genus — compare its care with other Narcissus species on PlantoScan.
Narcissus is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Paperwhite Narcissus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Narcissus Species
Other Narcissus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Narcissus papyraceus Ker Gawl., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 24: t. 947 (1806)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Paperwhite Narcissus is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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