Description
Jonquil Paperwhite
(Narcissus papyraceus)
Please Note: These bulbs cannot be shipped to Western Australia or Tasmania due to biosecurity restrictions.
Jonquil Paperwhite is one of the most beloved and recognisable of all the Narcissus varieties, prized for its pure white flowers and intensely sweet fragrance. Among the earliest jonquils to bloom, Paperwhite brings cheerful colour and perfume to your home and garden during the cooler months when most plants are still dormant. This variety is particularly popular for indoor forcing, where its effortless growing habit makes it a favourite for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Each stem produces a generous cluster of small, pristine white flowers, each featuring broad white petals surrounding a small, flat white cup. The blooms are carried above upright, strap-like green foliage that creates a clean, elegant display. Paperwhite belongs to the Tazetta group of Narcissus, known for producing multiple flowers per stem and thriving in warmer conditions where many other daffodils struggle. The strong fragrance of Paperwhite can fill an entire room when grown indoors, making it a wonderful choice for winter arrangements and table centrepieces.
Product Highlights
• Bulb count: 4 per pack
• Flower colours: Pure white petals with a white cup
• Plant height: 25 to 45 cm
• Bloom time: June to August (early to mid winter)
• Naturalising: Yes, in temperate and subtropical climates
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade, bright indirect light for indoor forcing
• Soil type: Well-drained, organically rich soil or pebbles and water for indoor forcing
• Frost tolerance: Moderate, best suited to temperate and subtropical climates
Planting Instructions
Plant Jonquil Paperwhite bulbs from March onwards once the soil has cooled. In warmer regions, planting can continue through to May. Choose a position in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, organically rich soil. Plant bulbs 12 to 15 cm deep and space them 10 to 15 cm apart. Water thoroughly after planting. For indoor forcing, Paperwhite is exceptionally easy to grow. Place bulbs in a shallow container filled with pebbles, decorative stones, or glass beads. Nestle the bulbs into the stones with the pointed end facing up and add water until it just touches the base of the bulbs without submerging them. Place in a cool, bright location and expect blooms within three to six weeks.
Watering and Care
For garden-planted bulbs, water after planting and then hold off until foliage appears unless conditions are very dry. Once flower buds emerge, maintain a weekly watering schedule to support strong blooms. Avoid overwatering, as bulbs will rot if left sitting in soggy soil. For indoor-forced bulbs, maintain the water level just below the base of the bulbs and top up as needed as the roots grow. Keep indoor plants in a cool space with bright, indirect light for the best results. If stems become tall and floppy, gather them together with a ribbon or twine for support. After flowering, apply a light bulb fertiliser to garden-planted bulbs and allow the foliage to die back naturally.
Pruning Advice
Remove spent flower heads after blooming to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production. Allow all foliage to yellow and die back naturally before removing it. For garden-planted Paperwhite bulbs, this process allows the bulb to store sufficient energy for the following season. Bulbs forced indoors for winter blooms have typically exhausted their energy reserves and may not rebloom reliably the following year. However, you can plant spent indoor bulbs into the garden where they may recover over one to two seasons. Divide established garden clumps every three to four years to prevent congestion and maintain strong flowering.
Climate Zone Guide
Cool and Alpine (ACT, VIC Highlands, NSW Tablelands): Grows well outdoors. Indoor forcing is a popular option in this zone for enjoying blooms through the coldest months.
Temperate (Melbourne, Adelaide, coastal NSW): Excellent performance both outdoors and indoors. One of the most reliable jonquils for this zone.
Subtropical (Brisbane, coastal QLD): Thrives in warmer climates. Paperwhite adapts exceptionally well to subtropical conditions and does not require cold treatment to flower.
Important Warnings
All parts of the Jonquil Paperwhite plant, including bulbs, stems, leaves, and flowers, are toxic if ingested by humans, dogs, cats, and livestock. Keep bulbs stored safely away from children and pets. Wear gloves when handling bulbs as the sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Do not plant near vegetable gardens where accidental ingestion is a risk. If ingestion occurs, seek medical or veterinary advice immediately.
All orders ship from Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Where We Ship
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All over Australia, including WA & TAS. We do not ship seeds outside Australia.
Processing Times
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Order dispatch or packing time, 1 to 3 business days. Weekends and public holidays excluded. Transit time is additional.
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Western Australia orders are packed each Thursday and handed to Australia Post on Friday. Place WA orders before Wednesday 11:59 PM Sydney time for Friday dispatch.
Delivery Options and Prices
Standard Post and Parcels, Australia Post or courier
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Typical delivery time, 3 to 10 business days. Remote WA and NT may take longer.
| Order contents | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed packets only, or any seeds or garden supplies up to 200 g | $3.95 |
| Upgrade seed packet delivery to tracked letter | Add $3.00 |
| Mixed items 200 g to 400 g | $5.95 |
| Mixed items 401 g to 2 kg | $10.95 |
| Mixed items over 2 kg, including seed potatoes, tubers, canes, rhizomes | $16.95 |
Free letter option for small seed orders
Seed packet orders under 1 g qualify for free untracked domestic letter shipping when the order value is $40 or more after discounts. Delivery for untracked letters may take 5 to 12 business days, sometimes longer.
Express Post and Parcels, Australia Post or courier
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Typical delivery time is 1 to 3 business days. WA, NT, TAS, and remote areas may take longer.
| Order contents | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed packets only | $16 |
| Seed packets and bulk weight-based seeds up to 500 g | $19 |
| Bulk seeds 0 to 500 g | $19 |
| Bulk seeds 501 g to 1 kg | $21 |
| Bulk seeds 1.01 kg to 3 kg | $26 |
| Bulk seeds 3.01 kg to 5 kg | $45 |
| Bulk seeds 5.01 kg to 10 kg | $80 |
| Bulk seeds 10.01 kg to 15 kg | $120 |
Important for WA Express
We do not provide Express parcel service for WA orders because quarantine inspections delay delivery, which defeats the purpose of Express.
State Specific Requirements and Fees
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Western Australia, add $6 per order for Quarantine inspection. All WA seed orders go to Quarantine WA for inspection. Tracking (if any) is activated after inspection, which may take up to 10 business days from our packing date. Delivery within WA generally takes an additional 1 to 5 business days after release from Perth Airport.
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Tasmania, add $3 per order for Biosecurity paperwork. Maximum 1 kg per seed line item. Biosecurity Tasmania restrictions apply.
Tracking and Delivery
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You will receive a dispatch email with a tracking number when your order ships from our warehouse. Some small-value orders may ship as untracked letters.
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Signature on delivery is available. Add $5.95. If not selected, the carrier may leave the parcel in a safe place, your letterbox if it fits, or at a collection point. ID may be required for Registered or Signature services.
Delivery Timeframes and Late or Missing Orders
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Dispatch and delivery times are estimates. Events outside our control, such as weather or carrier delays, can affect timing.
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We use Australia Post guidelines to decide when an order is considered late or missing.
When an order is considered missing
| Service | Usual delivery time | Time before an order is counted as missing | Review period before replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy delivery | 3 to 12 business days | 20 business days | 2 to 3 business days |
| Express delivery | 1 to 3 business days | 5 business days beyond Australia Post’s estimate | 2 to 3 business days |
Delivery guarantee
If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we will work with you on a fair resolution, which may include a full refund, an upgrade to tracked delivery at a subsidised rate, or a one-time replacement. If we resend an order, that replacement is final and is sent at your own risk. No further refund or replacement will be provided.
Important Notes
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We process orders after receiving cleared payment.
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Postage rates are per order. We may combine multiple orders to the same recipient at the same address into one shipment.
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Shipping charges are not discounted during product sales.
Need Help?
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Phone, 1800 733 399
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Business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm NSW time (AEDT or AEST depending upon daylight savings)
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Address, PO Box 148, Riverstone NSW 2765
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ABN, 63 634 537 492
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship outside Australia
No. We only ship within Australia.
How long does Standard delivery take
Delivery typically takes 3 to 12 business days after your order is dispatched (remote WA and NT areas may experience longer timeframes). Orders are usually lodged with Australia Post the business day after packing, and delivery time is calculated from that lodgement date.
How long does Express delivery take
Most orders arrive in 1 to 3 business days. WA, NT, TAS, and remote areas may take longer.
Do WA orders have delays?
Yes. WA orders go through Quarantine inspection. Tracking activates after inspection.
Can I get a signature on delivery?
Yes. You can add a signature on delivery for $3.95.
When is an order considered missing
We follow Australia Post guidelines. See the timeframes above..
Estimate shipping
Shipping Restrictions
Shipping Restriction for WA Customers: To help us ship your order as quickly and efficiently as possible, please do not include any seed items prohibited in WA; they are listed with the label 'NOT to WA'. Due to quarantine restrictions in WA, there is a 10kg seeds limit per variety. WA orders require additional handling time. Please remain within an approved limit when ordering seeds. We review every WA order before dispatch and remove (or reduce) excess seed quantity from your order to comply with WA biosecurity regulations. Please check further information here
Tasmania Customers: We can ship seeds to Tasmania. Please do not include seed line items labeled 'NOT to TAS'. Please note that the maximum allowable limit per permitted seed line item is 1kg per order.