4 Delightful Types of Paperwhite Daffodils

There are many reasons that paperwhite daffodils are beloved bulb flowers. Their small white blooms are both delightful and chic. In addition, paperwhites produce many flowers per plant. And paperwhite daffodils are easy to grow indoors, which is why growers sometimes call these flowers “the indoor daffodil.” So it’s time to shine the spotlight on four delightful types of paperwhite daffodils that flower lovers can’t resist.

If you first need to familiarize yourself with paperwhite daffodils and their characteristics, discover more about these beautiful plants below.

What are paperwhite daffodils?

Paperwhite daffodils are white flower cultivars that belong to the type of daffodil called tazetta. As a tazetta daffodil, paperwhites are also identified with the following traits:

• All tazetta daffodils, including paperwhites, produce 3-20 blooms per stem.
• Additionally, all tazetta daffodils have spreading petals on fragrant flowers.

Paperwhite tazetta daffodils are often miniature daffodils with dainty blooms that have small cups. In fact, the Italian word tazetta translates in English to “small cup.”

Other common traits of paperwhite daffodils include the following:

• Paperwhite daffodils are some of the easiest daffodils to grow in containers indoors.
• Unlike other types of daffodils, most gardeners grow paperwhite daffodils as annuals (that only bloom one season) unless located in a warm climate with very mild winters.
• Ideal US Hardiness Zones for paperwhite daffodils include Zones 6-11.
• Some tazetta daffodils produce fluffier blooms than others, depending on the cultivar.

Are all tazetta daffodils also paperwhite daffodils?

Some gardening resources refer to all tazetta daffodils as paperwhites, regardless of color. However, our research shows that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) refers only to the white tazetta daffodils as paperwhites. Since the RHS is a highly-respected top authority in the gardening world, that’s proof enough for us that paperwhite daffodils are indeed the white tazettas.

The RHS is also responsible for developing the 13 daffodil divisions used to identify daffodils worldwide. These divisions are essential for classifying daffodils by their growth habits and other traits.

How To Identify Daffodils by Division

Because they are a type of tazetta daffodil, paperwhites belong to division #8 of the 13 daffodil divisions. See below for a complete list of the daffodil divisions from the RHS classification system. In addition, you can check out the full details of each division in our post called The 13 Daffodil Divisions, Explained.

• Division #1: Trumpet Daffodils
• Division #2: Large-Cupped Daffodils
• Division #3: Small-Cupped Daffodils
• Division #4: Double Daffodils
• Division #5: Triandrus Daffodils
• Division #6: Cyclamineus Daffodils
• Division #7: Jonquilla Daffodils
• Division #8: Tazetta Daffodils
• Division #9: Poeticus Daffodils
• Division #10: Bulbocodium Hybrids
• Division #11A: Split-Cupped Collar Daffodils
• Division #11B: Split-Cupped Papillion Daffodils
• Division #12: Other Cultivars Daffodils
• Division #13: Daffodils Distinguished Only by Botanical Name

Now that we know the basics about paperwhite daffodils, let’s look at some standout cultivars you can grow at home.

1. ‘Ariel’ Daffodil

Scientific Name: Narcissus ‘Ariel’

Common Name: ‘Ariel’ Daffodil, ‘Ariel’ Paperwhite Daffodil

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11

Height at Maturity: 1-2 feet tall

Season in Bloom: Mid or LateSpring

Flower Aroma: ‘Ariel’ has a spicy or peppery scent

Type of Daffodil: Tazetta

The snowy white ‘Ariel’ paperwhite daffodil is a stunning tazetta variety to grow in containers, especially indoors. ‘Ariel’ creates a dramatic display of 15-20 flowers per stem. This paperwhite also comes with a pleasing, spicy fragrance.

‘Ariel’ pendant flowers nod gently toward the ground and grow about 2 inches wide. However, keep in mind that you’ll only get one blooming season out of this type of paperwhite daffodil unless you live in a tropical region.

Best for gardens in Zones 8-11, ‘Ariel’ daffodils have a great reputation for being easy to grow for gardeners of any experience level.

2. ‘Inbal’ Daffodil

Scientific Name: Narcissus ‘Inbal’

Common Name: ‘Inbal’ Daffodil, ‘Inbal’ Paperwhite Daffodil

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11

Height at Maturity: 1-2 feet tall

Season in Bloom: Mid-Spring

Flower Aroma: Light and sweet

Type of Daffodil: Tazetta

A favorite cultivar for forcing indoors, the ‘Inbal’ paperwhite daffodil produces pure white and lightly scented blooms. ‘Inbal’ is a hardy tazetta variety in Zones 8-11, and it’s an excellent flower to grow inside during winter in all Zones.

‘Inbal’ is an award-winning white narcissus that grows an average of 15-18 inches tall. And, as with other paperwhites, this tazetta daffodil produces many flowers.

If you need proof of this daffodil’s beauty and hardiness, look no further than The American Daffodil Society, which bestowed the Wister Award on this excellent plant. The Royal Horticultural Society also granted ‘Inbal’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

One important tip for growing ‘Inbal’ daffodils indoors is to plant the bulbs in a container with soil. We mention this step because many flower bulbs grow beautifully in a vase with just water or water plus small stones. However, ‘Inbal’ bulbs prefer to root in soil for the best plant performance.

3. ‘Scilly White’ Daffodil

Scientific Name: Narcissus ‘Scilly White’

Common Name: ‘Scilly White’ Daffodil, ‘Scilly White’ Paperwhite Daffodil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11

Season in Bloom: Late Winter or Early Spring

Flower Aroma: Sweet and light

Type of Daffodil: Tazetta

‘Scilly White’ is an heirloom daffodil named after its home of origin – the Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast of England. Introduced in 1865, this pretty white daffodil produces about 10 blooms per stem, is hardy in Zones 8-11, and forces easily indoors.

‘Scilly White’ is a lightly-scented miniature daffodil growing about 1 foot tall. And its flower color eventually changes from bright white petals and a hint of yellow in the cups to all cream.

4. ‘Ziva’ Daffodil

Scientific Name: Narcissus ‘Ziva’

Common Name: ‘Ziva’ Daffodil, ‘Ziva’ Paperwhite Daffodil

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11

Season in Bloom: Late Winter and Early Spring

Flower Aroma: Musky or spicy fragrance

Type of Daffodil: Tazetta

‘Ziva’ paperwhite daffodils are strongly fragrant and bloom early compared to other types of daffodils. Though these tazettas aren’t winter-hardy, they can produce late winter blooms for gardeners in Zones 8-11.

The ‘Ziva’ cultivar is best for people who love a strong musky scent. If that’s not you, we recommend growing one of the paperwhites with delicate scents like ‘Inbal’ or ‘Scilly White.’

You can expect around 15 blooms per stem on ‘Ziva’ daffodils, even if you grow them indoors. In addition, these white narcissus flowers mature to about 2 inches wide on plants that reach 1-2 feet tall.

How to Grow Paperwhite Daffodils Indoors

Growing paperwhite daffodils indoors is easy and rewarding! In a few weeks or less, you can enjoy gorgeous white narcissus flowers during any season of the year.

Paperwhite daffodil bulbs do not need cold storage like other types of daffodils. In fact, paperwhites won’t survive temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit for long. So instead, grow them in temperatures around 70 degrees, whether inside or outdoors.

Additionally, the Chicago Botanic Garden recommends checking all daffodil paperwhite bulbs for any mold, which you can wipe off with a towel before planting. And don’t use any bulbs that are squishy because they’re probably rotten.

Quick Tips for Growing Paperwhites Indoors

Here are some easy steps for growing paperwhite and other tazetta daffodils in your home.

• Check the height at maturity for the paperwhite cultivars you plan to grow before choosing the size of their pot or vase. Many types of paperwhite daffodils are miniature plants.
• Wear protective clothing (gloves and long sleeves) when handling daffodil bulbs and plants. This practice protects your skin from the toxins that daffodils produce.
• Grow a cluster of bulbs together in a shallow or medium-sized container, allowing some extra space at the bottom for roots to grow.
• Place ‘Inbal’ paperwhites in soil, but most other cultivars grow well in just water or water with small stones.
• Make sure the pointed side of the daffodil bulb is facing up, and the roots are on the bottom.
• Add enough water to the container to cover the bottom half of the bulbs. However, do not fully submerge the bulbs because that could cause them to rot.
• Grow your indoor paperwhite bulbs under bright but indirect light.
• Keep your paperwhite plants in rooms with a consistent temperature between 65-70 degrees.
• Plan to stake your daffodils when they reach their mature height, as the stems might bend.
• Enjoy your gorgeous blooming white narcissus!

Consider pairing your paperwhite daffodil plants with other bulb flowers that grow well indoors, like amaryllis and hyacinth.

Daffodils grown outdoors should go in the ground in the fall in most Zones and will bloom in spring.

Paperwhite daffodils are delightful indoor flowers.

They aren’t the right plants for cold-winter climates, but paperwhite daffodils are an indoor gardener’s dream. Paperwhites are also a favorite for winter gift-giving because they’re delicately stylish and easy to grow in containers. Plus, these types of paperwhite daffodils fill your home or tropical garden beds with incredible fragrance.

Paperwhite daffodils are so lovely; we hope a wider variety of modern cultivars will pop up soon. In the meantime, plenty of bicolor tazetta daffodils grow well indoors too.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © DiAnna Paulk/Shutterstock.com