DIY Pots of Forced Paper Whites as Winter Porch Décor

Pots of fresh, live blooming flowers on the front porch during the winter is not a traditional porch décor image, but as a Master Gardener, I like to think outside the garden box and do things differently. Pots of forced paperwhites thrive in winter weather, add a touch of whimsical warmth to winter porch décor, and the DIY pots of paperwhites are easy to design and plant with these decorating and growing tips.

Purchase the Right Type of Paperwhite Bulbs

Purchase pots of paperwhites bulbs that already have reached adult height and set their buds at the end of the their long, slender shoots. Paperwhites love cold weather and paperwhites for winter bloom will thrive on an outside porch in temperatures of around 28 degrees. Once bloomed, the flowers will last about three weeks. Keep paperwhites out of direct sunlight and water every few days.

DIY Winter Pots Painting

Plain, black plastic pots in which other flowers or plants have been purchased in make an excellent DIY planter for porch paperwhites. Start with a clean, dry plastic pot and spray outside with a coat of black paint. Let paint dry then tape a snowflake stencil to the outside center of the pot. Use a sponge and dab silver paint into the snowflake stencil or use silver spray paint inside the stencil design. Let paint dry and carefully remove stencil. If the snowflake is large, one right in the front center of the pot is enough design, if the snowflake stencil is small, make a snowflake circle around the pot with stencil and silver paint.

Plant and Decorate

Once the pots have dried, fill the pots two-thirds full with potting soil. Remove the paper white from their container and re-plant into their new homes. Finish filling the pots to the rim with potting soil and water bulbs in well so the potting soil will settle.

Add a layer of fake snow or ice over the top of the potting soil, then add colorful Christmas tree ornaments around the base of the paperwhites. Use small, colorful stools or brightly wrapped fake Christmas presents to provide altering heights for pots of paperwhites to be displayed on near the front door.

Source: Bulb.com