Something You Can Count on this Winter

Winter Bulbs that Bloom Indoors

I’ve had lots of changes happening on my end this fall. After almost five years of saving and two full years of searching, I finally closed on my very own first home in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. I’m exhausted and thrilled with all the possibilities of making this new space my own and renting the second floor of this two family house. I still don’t have a couch or a coffee table, but there’s one thing I’ll definitely find a spot for this holiday season, even if it’s just on the floor: an indoor blooming bulb.

I hope this post will give you an appreciation for blooming bulbs, too, and that they’ll make the long, dark months ahead more bearable.

The easiest way to make a quick impact to a space is to add plants and flowers, even if you have to set the vases on the floor.

What Is a Blooming Bulb?

A blooming bulb is a floral bulb, like the ones we plant outside, but it can sprout and fully blossom indoors throughout the winter months. These blooming bulbs are especially popular for the life and color they provide during the holiday season, so now is the perfect time to learn more. We call the process of making the bulb bloom indoors “forcing,” and there are particular bulb varieties that are good for this method.

I first learned about blooming bulbs many years ago while working for Orly Kohn at her floral boutique inside the Restoration Hardware flagship store in Boston, and I have loved the tradition of these winter bulbs ever since.

Left, amaryllis bulbs. Right, paperwhite bulbs. These are close to blooming and images of their flowers are shown below.

You can buy the bulbs before they’re sprouted, or you can find them already sprouted. They’re usually available at grocery stores, hardware stores, and online sellers, but you should of course try to find them from small, local business during this critical season. (And if you’re in the NYC or Connecticut areas, come and get your bulbs at one of Made Floral’s holiday pop-ups listed below!). At first look, they just look like a plain old bulb. Maybe it will have a sprout, and sometimes you’ll find the bulb covered in wax. Usually a bulb with a sprout will be planted in a wooden box or footed container. I love to see the bulb in a glass cloche, taking on the look of a rare and exotic specimen.

Once the bulb is sprouted, it will take about 1-2 weeks for the flower to fully bloom. The fun part is watching them open indoors—there’s nothing quite like watching nature work its magic, and it’s a special privilege this time of year.

The two most common forms of blooming bulbs, particularly for the holidays, are the amaryllis and the paperwhite narcissus. These types of bulbs don’t need chilling, meaning that they are native to warmer climates and they don’t require a cooling period to trigger blooming. Bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths need a chilling period and that’s why they bloom in the spring.

Caring for amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs are quite easy. They like bright, indirect sunlight and just a little water at the base of the bulb.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis flowers are not very fragrant, and they usually have about 1-3 blooms per stem. Their stems shoot up about 1-2 feet tall and they come in the most rich colors of white, chili-pepper red, salmon, burgundy, and striped red and white. (Hmm... Were candy canes inspired by the red and white striped amaryllis?!) These aren’t just perfect for your own festive interiors, but are great as gifts for others, and they can be stunning as holiday party décor, too.

There is something so magical about watching this flower bloom indoors, especially at this time of year.

Paperwhite Narcissus

Paperwhite narcissus are intensely fragrant. I love their fragrance, but I’ve heard that it can be too much for some people. Their stems and leaves look like daffodils but their flowers are much smaller in size than your normal daffodil. They come in white, hence the name paperwhite. While I do love the presentation of a glass cloche, I also love the rustic look of paperwhites planted in wooden boxes.

The paperwhite flower is so sweet and delicate. It reminds me that spring always comes after a long winter.

I hope you consider bringing one of these blooming bulbs into your home this winter. Let me know if you’re already a fan or if you decide to make them a part of your holiday tradition this year for the first time. I would love to hear how it goes (and to see how you showed them off!).

Once the flowers bloom, you can leave the flowers and stems on the bulbs or you can cut them and place then in vases with water. Pictured here, amaryllis flowers in salmon, white, and hot pink.

Made Floral Holiday Pop Ups (with Bulbs and More)

If you’re local to Fairfield County or NYC, we will have some for sale at our upcoming holiday pop ups. Here’s where you can find us in the coming weeks:

• at Madewell in Westport, Connecticut, on November 24th and December 21st 

• at the Shinola TriBeca store in NYC from December 13th through December 15th

We absolutely love getting into the seasonal spirit with holiday shoppers at our local pop ups, so please come see us (and treat yourself to some flowers or bulbs!). And if you can’t make it to a pop up, check out one of our upcoming workshops (DIY holiday wreaths!).

Image from my first pop up with Shinola in 2016 . I am excited to continue the annual tradition by popping up in the Shinola Tribeca store in NYC this December.