Paperwhite Narcissus: Sweet or Smelly?
Paperwhite narcissus are the cilantro of the flower world. While some people can’t get enough of their heady fragrance, to others they smell like a cross between dirty socks and cat pee.
Like daffodils, paperwhites are a type of narcissus. But these are tender bulbs, native to frost-free regions of the Mediterranean. Here in the US, paperwhite narcissus are winter hardy only in growing zones 8-11. In colder areas, the bulbs are grown indoors during the winter months. As with amaryllis, paperwhites do not need a chilling period in order to bloom. They also come into flower very quickly — usually within a month after planting.
Why Is the Fragrance of Paperwhites so Polarizing?
Plants produce natural, organic chemicals that give their flowers fragrance. The plant’s goal is to attract pollinators, but in most cases, humans also find these fragrances pleasing.
The naturally-produced biochemical that gives paperwhite narcissus their distinctive fragrance is called indole. Other plants that also produce indole include gardenias, jasmine, tuberose and orange flowers. Not everyone likes the smell of indole – especially in large amounts. It has a sweetness that can both repel and attract us at the same time. The biochemical compound indole is found throughout the natural world: in fecal matter, decaying animals, body odor and even in vegetables such as broccoli and kale.
In low concentrations, indole has a ripe, floral scent and for this reason it is often used in perfumery. Fragrances such as La Vie La Mort, Carnal Flower and even Chanel No.5 rely on indole to heighten their sensual appeal.
Too much of a good thing?
If someone in your household is not a fan of the sweet and musky scent of paperwhites, plant just a couple bulbs at a time for personal-sized bouquets. Put a few inches of stones in the bottom of a canning jar, position one or two bulbs on top and add enough water to almost reach the bottom of the bulbs (learn more about growing paperwhites here: All About Paperwhites).
Some varieties of paperwhites contain a higher level of indole than others. As a rule, those with yellow flowers, such as ‘Grand Soleil D’Or’ and ‘Wintersun’ have a lighter and sweeter fragrance. If you want to give them a try, be aware that these more unusual varieties can be difficult to find, and the bulbs tend to produce smaller flower clusters.
Israel is the world’s largest producer of paperwhite bulbs, and breeders are currently working on new varieties with lower levels of indole. We look forward to having more options in the future!
Shop for paperwhites HERE. To learn more about growing paperwhite narcissus, you may be interested in reading: 6 Tips for Growing Paperwhite Narcissus.
As someone who likes neither the smell of paperwhites nor broccoli, I found this fascinating!
Ha hah. Glad you enjoyed it!
Does anyone else’s Paperwhites roots smell like green onions or garlic to you
Paperwhites are not related to onions. It may just be the smell of roots and new growth.
Someone gave me some paperwhites, similar to those pictured above. I literally thought I had a gas leak in my house, it smelled so badly to me. It wasn’t until I was picking up the house preparing for someone to check for the gas leak that I realized the horrible smell was coming from the flower!
hahah. Love the story. As they say, one woman’s gas leak is another woman’s perfume.
They smell like perfume and human urine to me. LOL can’t beat how beautiful they are though. Love having them blooming away inside when it’s cold and dreary outside. I just don’t have more than one or two bulbs growing at one time, and never in a small room.
found this article only after thinking that my garbage disposal had something rotting in it. Turns out it was the narcissus. it smells like rotting pickled vegetables and/or baby diaper to me. They are beautiful though.
A friend/neighbor gave me a couple of bulbs. She had been given some and kept some herself, not knowing what they were. We’ve been wondering and my husband sent messages to several friends. One of them told us what they are. I googled about the odor and came upon this website. I so enjoyed reading the comments. I needed the laugh with the craziness in our world right now. 😊
They do have a bad odor but are delicate looking and beautiful.
Hi Mary – Thanks for your comment. Maybe the fragrance will grow on you! 🙂
LOL ok so…. my mom bought some of these home from work. They were on sale and they ARE very pretty. They came with the bulb sitting in the mouth of a glass vase with water in it. They were about 1ft. 12in. tall already. I kept them in sunlight in the house for a week. They started to BLOOM! I was like YEAH!….. 😬 then I smelled them. Needless to say I finally found that rotting meat smell I’ve been looking for. 😂 But they are very beautiful. Cant wait to plant them outside, where theres lots of fresh air.
Hi and thanks for the laugh. Note that paperwhites are only winter hardy in growing zones 8-11. Bulbs that are forced for indoor blooms don’t always flower again. But if you live in a warm climate, it’s worth a try!
I just bought 4 in a box almost ready to bloom from TJ’s. I was hoping for a plumeria type jackpot. Luckily I’ve got them next to an open window and we’re in the 80s. Very interesting comments. Thanks for the forum.
Iam one of those that love the smell
The description of their fragrance is priceless
This is fascinating! I’m currently growing my first round of paperwhites and with only one blooming, I totally loved the scent and flocked to the internet to find out more about it. Looks like I’m in the minority! Or maybe it’s just because only one of the bulbs has blossomed. Lol.
Love the s ent of paperwhites!
Hi Hilda – I do, too.
I like the medicinal scent. Also it’s lovely having them on my cocktail table white and pristine while outside everything I’d brown.
I so agree!
I am growing them for the first time. The scent to me is pungent, starting out sweet and then turning funky in but a few seconds. The scent, however, is not so funky that I would discontinue growing them. It’s been fun watching them sprout, grow, bud, and bloom.
To me they smell like the big jars of white paste we used in elementary school in 1960. I have to admit liking the taste of it!
I thought I was smelling some faintly plastic odor, or maybe an orange peel starting to ferment. Finally I realized it was coming from the paperwhites. It didn’t seem a bad smell, just unusual… but somehow familiar… like DMT, if you’ve ever smelled that. Then this article made sense of it all… it’s the indoles that have this distinct aroma! Realizing it’s from a natural thriving process makes this unusual perfume enjoyable for me now.
Hi Mark – So glad that understanding the science has helped you to enjoy the paperwhite’s signature scent!
I was once staying at my sister’s house. Me and a hamster were sharing a bedroom. I assumed the smell I could not tolerate was coming from the hamster habitat. Even when I relocated the little guy and the room STILL smelled, I couldn’t figure it out! Took a day or two, and then finally the light bulb went on. As I type this I am getting a faint whiff of their scent from a gifted pot of the beautiful little buggers. They have been moved from the kitchen to the laundry room. I hope it’s far enough away 😉 Thank you for the article.
Too funny!
I brought my paperwhites inside today because its going to freeze tonight, all day i kept smelling a urine smell, finally figured out it was the paperwhites. I just moved it to my back florida room.. it will warm up tomorrow and i can put back on my front porch.. they are beautiful and i love them.
Yep first thing I thought was that the cat peed on something again damn it LOL I picked them for myself for Mother’s Day and now I’m thinking I better keep them away from the cats or they will do territorial peeing explanation point am I correct?
Hi Helen – I haven’t heard about that happening, but will certainly possible.