Spend an hour or two planting prepared narcissi in early autumn, and you'll be able to enjoy their fragrant flowers during the dark days of winter.

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It's important to buy bulbs that are labelled as suitable for forcing - popular varieties include 'Paperwhite Ziva' and 'Soleil D'Or'.

For an interesting indoor display, choose a glass bowl and fill it with gravel, glass beads or pebbles.

Here's how to force narcissi.

You Will Need

  • 'Paperwhite', 'Soleil D'Or' or any prepared narcissus bulbs
  • Decorative crushed stone or pebbles
  • Glass jar
  • Watering can

Total time: 15 minutes

Step 1

Adding pebbles to the glass jar
Adding pebbles to the glass jar

Place a layer of pebbles, gravel or glass beads in the base of your chosen container.

Step 2

Planting the narcissus bulbs in the glass jar
Planting the narcissus bulbs in the glass jar

Push the narcissus bulbs to about half their depth into the pebbles to hold them firm.

Step 3

Watering the container
Watering the container
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Add water to just below the bulb and no higher, topping up to this level as needed.

Buy enough narcissus bulbs to plant several vases every seven to 10 days throughout September and early October to provide a succession of flowers through December and January.
Watering can
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