Katrina Rosales
Paperwhites, also known as Narcissus papyraceus, are flowers that belong to the amaryllis family and are native to the Mediterranean. They are characterised by their pure white blossoms and powerful fragrance, which has been described as musky, sweet, or foul, depending on individual scent preferences. The biochemical compound indole is responsible for their distinctive scent, which is also found in other flowers like jasmine and gardenias. While some people enjoy the fragrance, others find it unpleasant or even repulsive, comparing it to cat urine or dirty socks. The scent of paperwhites is a divisive topic among gardeners, with some describing it as enchanting, while others find it overwhelming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Odor | Feces, cat urine, dirty socks, over-heated electronic devices, sweet, musky, jasmine, butter, candied cherries, and fondant |
| Odor comparison | Broccoli, kale, body odor, decaying animals, fecal matter, e-coli, urine |
| Odor intensity | Powerful |
| Odor causes | Biochemical compound indole, trans-β-ocimene, α-farnesene, para-dimethoxybenzene, benzyl acetate, methyl benzoate, phenylethyl alcohol, linalool oxide |
| Cultivars with less odor | Inball, Wintersun |
What You'll Learn
Paperwhite varieties with less fragrance
Paperwhites are a type of daffodil in the Narcissus genus, and they are very easy to grow indoors. They are popular holiday flowering bulbs, second only to amaryllis. While all paperwhites have some fragrance, a few types are less fragrant than others.
The Inball Paperwhite is a classic-looking, large-flowered paperwhite with the same paperwhite scent but in a much smaller quantity. If you like the scent of paperwhites but don't want to fill the room with it, Inball is a good choice.
The Wintersun Paperwhite is nearly fragrance-free, with a very light, faint floral scent that differs from the typical musky scent. You have to put your face close to the flowers to catch a hint of the scent. Its flowers feature a prominent golden yellow cup, and its many tiny blooms are held on taller stems.
The Chinese Sacred Lily is another variety with a fun connotation. If your Chinese Sacred Lily paperwhites bloom on Chinese New Year, it is said that you will have a year of good fortune. The flowers have snow-white petals and a brilliant yellow cup, resembling the Wintersun variety. They are known for their strong, sweet fragrance that evokes spiced oranges. This variety is perfect for those who want a more fruity scent than a musky one.
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Why paperwhites smell foul to some people
Paperwhites, or Narcissus Tazetta 'Paperwhite Ziva' (also known as Narcissus papyraceus 'Ziva'), are flowers that have a strong fragrance. However, the scent is not pleasing to everyone. While some people describe the smell as sweet and delightful, others find it repulsive and foul-smelling. So, why do paperwhites smell foul to some people?
The answer lies in the chemical compounds present in the paperwhite blooms. Paperwhites contain sulphur-containing compounds, such as indole, which contribute to their floral aroma. While indole is also found in many pleasantly scented plants, such as jasmine, tuberose, and orange blossoms, it is also present in fecal matter, decaying animals, body odour, and vegetables like broccoli and kale. As a result, the scent of indole can be both attractive and repulsive to humans.
The concentration of indole and other compounds in the air can also affect how we perceive the scent of paperwhites. A strong concentration of indole may be overwhelming and unpleasant, while a more subtle diffusion may be more pleasant. Additionally, individual differences in smell sensitivity and perception may play a role in how people experience the scent of paperwhites.
It is worth noting that paperwhites are not the only flowers with a strong fragrance that is liked by some and disliked by others. For example, the scent of lilies is often loved by people, but some find it overpowering and unpleasant. Individual preferences and sensitivities play a significant role in how we perceive floral fragrances.
Overall, the unique fragrance of paperwhites can be attributed to the presence of indole and other chemical compounds, which some people find foul-smelling. However, it is important to remember that scent perception is subjective, and individual experiences with floral fragrances can vary.
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Paperwhite care tips
Paperwhites are a popular choice for indoor flowering plants during the winter. They are easy to care for and produce a sweet fragrance. However, some people dislike the smell, comparing it to "cat urine" or "dirty socks". Here are some care tips to help you grow and maintain your paperwhites:
Arrival and Unpacking
When your paperwhite bulbs arrive, carefully unpack them and pay extra attention to any brittle shoots that may be rising above the soil line. Gently pull back the moss top-dressing and water thoroughly. If you can't plant the bulbs right away, store them in a cool, dark location for a short period.
Bloom Time and Placement
Paperwhites usually take 4-6 weeks to start flowering, and each stem produces 2-20 small white flowers. The blooms typically last for about two weeks. Place your paperwhites in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Avoid direct heat sources and keep the temperature below 65°F to slow their growth and prolong their lifespan. Turn the container occasionally to keep the stems growing straight.
Watering and Feeding
Water your paperwhites regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. An easy way to water is to place 1-3 small ice cubes on the soil, allowing for slow watering. If growing in water, ensure that only the roots are submerged. Paperwhites are sensitive, and the bulbs will rot if they remain in contact with water.
Transplanting and Replanting
Paperwhites are spring-flowering daffodils that are not winter hardy. The bulbs should never be subjected to temperatures below 35°F. Treat them as annuals and discard or compost them after blooming. Paperwhites grown outdoors will only return every year in warm climate areas in Zones 8-11.
Pickling and Staking
To control the height of your paperwhites and prevent them from flopping over, you can try "pickling" them with a diluted alcohol solution. This method reduces their mature height. Alternatively, use stakes, twine, or ribbons to support the stems and foliage.
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Other fragrant flowers similar to paperwhites
Paperwhites, or Narcissus papyraceus, are flowers with a unique aroma. Some liken the scent to musky perfume, while others compare it to feces, cat urine, or dirty socks. The fragrance is created by a range of chemical compounds, including indole, which is also found in e-coli and urine.
Chinese Sacred Lily
The Chinese Sacred Lily is a variety of paperwhite with a strong, sweet fragrance that evokes spiced oranges. The snow-white petals and vibrant yellow cups of this flower resemble those of the Wintersun variety. It is said that if the Chinese Sacred Lily blooms on Chinese New Year, it foretells a year of good fortune.
Grand Soleil d'Or
Grand Soleil d'Or is a hybrid variety of paperwhite with bold and bright yellow petals and an orange center. It has a pleasing sweet and fruity fragrance. This variety takes longer to force than others, but its cheerful colour and scent make it well worth the wait.
Erlicheer
Erlicheer is a stunning variety of paperwhite with creamy white, double-petaled flowers and a golden glow. The slender stems of these flowers can be quite heavy, so pickling is recommended. They have a strong but sweet fragrance with less of the classic musky undertone.
Inball
The Inball variety is a classic-looking, large-flowered paperwhite with a significantly reduced fragrance. If you like the scent of paperwhites but prefer a more subtle aroma, this variety is an excellent choice.
Wintersun
Wintersun is a variety of paperwhite with a very light, faint floral scent. Unlike the traditional musky scent of paperwhites, Wintersun's fragrance is so mild that you need to put your face close to the flowers to catch a hint of it. It has tiny blooms on taller stems and prominent golden yellow cups.
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The role of scent in plant survival
The scent of a plant is an important factor in its survival. For some plants, it is about attracting pollinators with sweet fragrances. For others, like the paperwhite, the strategy involves more complex scents to attract specific pollinators. Paperwhites, for instance, have a fragrance that humans perceive as musky, sweet, or foul-smelling, but which attracts insects including bees, flies, butterflies, and moths.
Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are tiny molecules often associated with distinct smells. These odorous signals are used for internal communication within the plant and also to communicate with other plants and organisms. A recent study showed that petunia plants perceive molecular signals from their budding flowers via KAI2 receptors. Without these receptors, the plants were unable to perceive the signals, resulting in stunted flower development and reduced seed production.
In addition, the sense of smell has been crucial for human survival throughout evolution, as it can detect and signal danger or safety, triggering an instinctive and subconscious reaction to fight, flee, or stay.
While the scent of a plant can be pleasing or repulsive to humans, it ultimately serves a vital purpose in the plant's survival and reproduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Paperwhites do have a fragrance, but it is a strong scent that people seem to either love or hate. Some people describe the scent as musky, sweet, or similar to feces, cat urine, or dirty socks.
The source of the scent is a biochemical called indole, which is also found in fecal matter, decaying animals, body odor, and some vegetables such as broccoli and kale. Paperwhites have evolved to produce this scent to attract certain insects, including bees, flies, butterflies, and moths, for pollination.
Yes, there are some paperwhite varieties that have been specially bred to have less fragrance, such as Inball Paperwhites and Wintersun Paperwhites.
To reduce the scent of paperwhites, you can try growing them outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. You can also try adding a few drops of bleach to the water they are grown in, or growing the bulbs in a mixture of water and gin or vodka to keep the leaves short.
