Grow Paperwhites Indoors

02/03/2021

You don’t need warm weather to enjoy a fun gardening project this month. Grow paperwhites indoors and watch them bloom! Plant several in a variety of small flowerpots or vases you have stashed away from last summer. Enjoy the cheerful white blooms in your home, and share with others on Valentine’s Day.

You’ll need:
–1 paperwhite bulb
–1 clean empty decorative 4-6” flowerpot (without drainage holes) or waterproof container that is deeper than the height of the bulb.
–Clean pebbles such as pea gravel (substitute potting soil, if you prefer)
–Lukewarm water
–Decorative items such as floral moss, acorns, tiny pinecones, stones, and waterproof charms/trinkets (optional)

Here’s the fun:

–On a newspaper covered surface, set out supplies. Scoop pebbles in the container and fill approximately 1/3 full. Place the bulb in the middle with points up and root plate down. Fill in around the bulb with more pebbles leaving the tips of the bulb exposed.

–Water just to the bottom of the bulb. If you wish, decorate by arranging small pieces of floral moss or tiny nature finds on top of the pebbles.

Care: Add water regularly. As it grows, place in a sunny window. Paperwhites take an average of 3-4 weeks to bloom.

Note: If using a medium size container, you may wish to plant two or three bulbs together. If you substitute potting soil for pebbles, use a container with a drainage hole.

Share with friends!

You might also like:

Stuffed French Toast For Family Gatherings

By Donna Erickson | 10/03/2024

  Make a weekend breakfast extra special with this stuffed French toast recipe featuring oranges and fresh pecans, which are abundant this time of year.  The whole family can participate in the preparation the night before, from beating eggs to spooning the cream cheese mixture into pockets in the French bread.  When you wake up…

Swedish Cinnamon Rolls

By Donna Erickson | 11/14/2023

Throughout Sweden, there are a variety of ways to make, shape and bake these delicious cinnamon rolls.  There is even a national Cinnamon Roll Day every October! I learned how to make them in friend Inger’s kitchen when I was teaching at a college in Jönköping. Inger always found a little job for my two…

Make An Apron For Kids With A Kitchen Towel

By Donna Erickson | 11/14/2023

  “Look, Mom, muddy hands!” This might be a familiar chorus you’ll be hearing as your kids dig into the joys of outdoor activities. Face it, kids and messes go hand in hand when it comes to being creative and having fun.    Let’s start with the kitchen, often referred to as “Mess Central” in…

A bundt cake

One-Step Lemon Bundt Cake

By Donna Erickson | 04/04/2022

Dog-eared recipes deserve some review now and then, and I’m glad I rediscovered this classic from my mom’s recipe box. It’s a never-fail, fabulous one-step pound cake that is a perfect “first” cake baking experience for kids. ​Read the recipe together, and let them search for the dry ingredients in the pantry, measuring cups from…

A tray of plants

Sprout Seeds Indoors In Eggshells

By Donna Erickson | 04/04/2022

Kids and dirt seem to have a natural attraction for one another. Why not promote a love for a favorite activity this season by giving children a chance for some responsibility and fun by messing with dirt, sprouting seeds and tending their own little plants indoors? They’ll give your family vegetable garden a head start…

Process of planting seeds

Make Seed-Starting Pots With Newspaper

By Donna Erickson | 04/04/2022

It’s growing season, an ideal time for your family to poke around and play in dirt. Begin indoors! Popular plants are easily started inside during spring months to give a jump-start to your summer garden. ​While many serious gardeners purchase seed-starting kits, you’ll discover with this kid-friendly activity that you can save money by making…

A flower vase with fake flowers

Stunning Tissue Paper Flower Bouquet

By Donna Erickson | 04/04/2022

You and your kids will be inspired to create a blooming bouquet of colorful paper flowers to celebrate the arrival of spring. In fact, these flowers can be enjoyed just about anytime and anywhere. ​You’ll only need basic items such as an empty cardboard egg carton, tissue paper from gift bags, some long, thick pipe…

A plant with colorful decorations

Force Branches Into Bloom

By Donna Erickson | 04/04/2022

Bring spring indoors, even if it’s just a handful of sticks, and look for new beginnings as you share your time and talents with those you love. Take a nature walk in your yard and look for young budding branches. With garden shears, clip off branches that are about 20 inches long. Good choices are…

Donna's Day

Bake Rustic Fruit Tart

By Donna Erickson | 08/23/2021

Opportunities for families to experience life’s simplest pleasures abound during summer’s final days. They take minimal planning and yield happy rewards. We enjoy impromptu evening bike rides, or a jaunt in the country to pick berries. On the return home, I choose juicy nectarines, peaches and plums at a roadside stand – a perfect combination…

Donna's Day

Watermelon’s Last Hurrah

By Donna Erickson | 08/23/2021

As summer wanes, I’m all for bringing on one last hurrah for watermelon. It’s such a convenient, “good for you” cool-down snack that quenches thirst and satisfies the sweet tooth, all in one. Refreshing with a squeeze of lime, or kicked up with a dusting of ground chili pepper and salt, it’s versatile and fun…

Posted in

Donna Erickson

DONNA ERICKSON

Donna's Day

Categories

Sign Up For My Newsletter