Forced Bulbs

Dec 1

Written By R U H L

10 December 2025

It’s easy to up your Winter quality-of-life with a few flower bulbs, some rocks, a glass vessel, and water. As the leaves fall, and the weather begins to chill, amaryllis and narcissus bulbs begin to show up at the hardware store or bodega. If you are a seasoned bulb forcer, you probably already have a bunch of stones from the last time, and a favorite clear vase to start the process. If not, decorative rocks are available at the hardware or garden store, or marbles from the craft store.

(Part 1) It’s a good idea to use a tall vase that will support the plants as they grow, if not a string around the leaves can add a bit of decoration as the flowers bloom. Nothing fancy is required, a Mason jar will work with a few handfuls of gravel.

(Part 2) Spring bulbs can be potted indoors during the winter months with equally impressive results.

Forcing is the horticultural practice of bringing a cultivated plant into active growth outside of its natural growing season. The best bulbs for forcing are Narcissus (Paperwhites) and Amaryllis, as they do not need a chilling period.

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Part 1
Forced Bulbs in water -

INGREDIENTS -

Vase or other clear vessel
Decorative rocks, pebbles, or marbles
Healthy bulbs
Fresh tap water
String

PREPERATION -

Gently rub the loose, papery skins (tunic) off the bulb, as they will discolor the water (Image 1)
Fill the container with an even layer of rocks. Stack to support the bulbs with about 3 inches of rocks. (Image 2)
Place the bulbs on the rocks with the shoot end facing up.
Stabilize the bulbs by wiggling them firmly into the stones
Fill with room temperature water until the root base is submerged, but not the bulb (image 3)
Place in a warm area to encourage root growth
A full root system will form within a week, and the shoots will begin to grow
Light and warmth will encourage blooms within a few weeks

NOTES -

Choose a clear vase or mason jar to display both the bulb and roots.
Replace the water if it discolors in the first day or two.
Maintain the water level at just below the bulb, keeping the root system submerged
After roots form, use an alcohol-water solution of 1 part 80-proof liquor to 7 parts water to slow growth and encourage long lasting blooms.

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Part 2
Potted bulbs -

FORCED POTTED BULBS -

The easiest way to force bulbs is to pot them in a well-drained pot with soil. Consistent watering, general maintenance, and rotation is important.

INGREDIENTS -

Terra cotta pot with saucer
Potting soil
Rocks or broken terra cotta for drainage
Healthy bulbs
Fresh tap water
String
Moss (optional)

PREPERATION -

Choose a terra cotta pot with a saucer that is appropriate to the size of the bulb or bulbs. A single amaryllis bulb works well in a 5 to 7 inch pot, as does a group of 3 paperwhites.
Cover the drainage hole of the pot with a few pieces of broken terra cotta, tile, or rocks to slow the release of water (image 4)
Fill pot with soil, leaving enough space for the bulbs
Place bulbs with shoot side up
Cover with soil, leaving shoots exposed
Place moss over the soil (Image 5)
Slowly water with room temperature water until pot becomes saturated, and begins to pool in the saucer
Leave water in saucer as the pot and soil will absorb the excess
Place the pot in a warm, well lit area
Bulb will sprout leaves and buds, with blooms forming within 3 to 4 weeks (Image 7)

NOTES -

As the bulbs begin to sprout, they may become top heavy. Use string around the bunch of leaves and buds to gently support the blossoming paperwhite plants. Push a stick into the soil to support a growing amaryllis with string.
Moss on the surface of the soil is decorative, but also helps maintain the moisture level, but isn’t necessary. Moss can also be placed in the saucer around the peripheral of the pot.
Rotate the growing plant as it will bend towards the light.
Keep the soil moist by monitoring the pot - if the pot is completely dry, it is time to water the soil. Slowly water until the excess drains into the saucer, but does not overflow.
Moss and rocks are available at garden and hardware stores, but can be gathered from a local park or backyard