Bring on the Blooms! Growing Forcing Bulbs Indoors This Winter

As the days grow shorter and the seasons begin to change, we naturally start spending a little more time indoors. That doesn’t mean we have to leave the pleasure of growing flowers outside. Growing forcing bulbs indoors is an easy way to bring color, fragrance and a touch of the garden into our homes during the colder months.

Some of the most well-known bulbs for forcing are Hippeastrum, commonly called amaryllis, as well as paperwhites and oxalis. These bulbs are especially well-suited for indoor enjoyment. Plant them in simple pots, elegant vases or turn them into creative living arrangements that become part of your home throughout the season. They also make wonderful gifts for others or yourself. Unlike a bouquet that may last a week or two, a pot of bulbs offers an experience that unfolds over time. The recipient gets to watch the first shoots emerge, stems stretch upward, buds develop and flowers finally open.

Bold and Beautiful Amaryllis

Few indoor flowers make a statement quite like amaryllis. Their tall stems and large, trumpet-shaped flowers can transform a windowsill, tabletop or entryway into a focal point. They are also remarkably easy to grow! Choose a decorative container for potting just slightly larger than the bulb, or they can also be grown in a forcing vase.

Depending on the variety, flowers can range from petite blooms just a few inches across to spectacular blossoms approaching nine inches in diameter. And there is much more to choose from than traditional holiday red. Amaryllis are available in white, pink, coral, green, striped and multicolored varieties. Many bulbs produce more than one flower stalk, extending the display for weeks.

Fragrance From Paperwhites

Paperwhites offer a completely different experience. A type of daffodil, they produce clusters of delicate white flowers and can go from bulb to bloom surprisingly quickly, often flowering within three to five weeks of planting. For an abundant display, plant several bulbs close together. They can be grown in potting mix or nestled into decorative stones with water added just below the base of the bulbs. The fragrance from paperwhites is unmistakable. Some people love the sweet, musky scent, while others find it quite strong. If you are sensitive to fragrance, placing them in a cooler room or a larger, more open area can help.

Instead of planting all your bulbs at once, pot a few every couple of weeks. As one group finishes flowering, another will be preparing to bloom, extending your display well into winter.

A Little Luck With Oxalis

For something softer and more delicate, consider oxalis. Often associated with shamrocks, oxalis grows from small bulbs and produces graceful foliage topped with dainty flowers. Depending on the variety, foliage may be fresh green or deep burgundy-purple. Oxalis is lovely on its own in a small decorative pot, where its foliage can spill gently over the edges. It can also provide a beautiful contrast to the height and drama of amaryllis or paperwhites in a larger arrangement.

Place oxalis where it receives plenty of bright light and keep the soil lightly moist rather than wet. Watching the foliage emerge and gradually fill the container is part of its appeal. Even before the flowers appear, the leaves provide color and texture indoors.

Create Something That Grows

Part of the fun of forcing bulbs is deciding how to display them. Bowls, baskets, vintage containers and simple glass vessels can all become part of the design. Finish your planting with moss, stones, bark, pinecones or other natural accents. Add a ribbon or seasonal embellishment and you have a gift that continues to grow and change long after it is given. Unlike cut flowers, forcing bulbs gives us something to anticipate. There is pleasure in watching the first bit of green appear, seeing a flower stalk grow taller each day and waiting for a tightly closed bud to finally reveal its color.