SKU: 00840369405159 5 Chinese Sacred Lily Narcissus Bulbs - Indoor Narcissus: Nice, Healthy Bulbs for Holiday Forcing!!

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Upright, bulb-forming perennial with narrow, strap-like green foliage and sturdy stems bearing clusters of flowers.
• Bloom Color: Creamy white petals surrounding bright golden-yellow cups, typically borne in clusters of 4–12 blooms per stem.
• Fragrance: Wonderfully sweet, rich floral fragrance that is especially noticeable indoors and on warm spring days.
• Fruit Flavor: Produces ornamental seed capsules that are not edible.
• Culinary Uses: None. Chinese Sacred Lily is strictly an ornamental plant and should never be consumed.
• Medicinal Uses: Although bulbs have appeared in some traditional herbal practices, they contain toxic alkaloids and are not considered safe for medicinal use without professional supervision.
• Possible Toxicity to Pets or Humans: Toxic if ingested. Bulbs contain alkaloids, including lycorine, that may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and excessive salivation in people, cats, dogs, horses, and livestock. Contact with bulb sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Wear gloves when handling bulbs.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Highly attractive to bees and other early-season pollinators. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, and most rodents generally avoid the bulbs because of their toxicity. Resistant to most diseases when planted in well-drained soil.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. In colder regions, bulbs can be grown as annuals, lifted for winter storage, or forced indoors in water or shallow containers.
• Sun Preferences: Full sun to partial shade. Flowers best with at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Prefers evenly moist soil during active growth but tolerates dry conditions during its summer dormancy.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 12–18 inches tall with a spread of 4–6 inches.

When and How to Prune

• Remove spent flower stems after blooming to prevent seed formation and allow the bulb to store energy.
• Leave the foliage intact until it naturally yellows and dies back, usually six to eight weeks after flowering.
• Remove dead foliage only after it has completely dried.
• Avoid cutting or tying green leaves, as they are essential for replenishing the bulb for the following season.

Planting Instructions (Bulbs into the Ground)

1. Plant bulbs in fall, approximately 6–8 weeks before the first expected hard frost in mild climates.
2. Select a location with fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
3. Dig planting holes 4–6 inches deep, measuring from the top of the bulb to the soil surface.
4. Place bulbs with the pointed end facing upward.
5. Space bulbs 4–6 inches apart for an attractive naturalized display.
6. Backfill with soil and gently firm around the bulbs.
7. Water thoroughly after planting to encourage root establishment.
8. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch after planting to help regulate soil temperature and suppress weeds.
9. Avoid areas with standing water, as excessive moisture may cause bulb rot.

Overwintering Steps

• Chinese Sacred Lily is hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 8–10.
• In colder climates, either lift the bulbs after the foliage dies back or grow them indoors for winter blooms.
• After flowering, allow the foliage to mature naturally before removing it.
• Lift bulbs once dormant if necessary, allow them to dry for several days, and store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location until fall planting.
• Apply a light layer of mulch in mild climates to help moderate soil temperatures.
• Resume watering when new growth emerges in late fall or winter.
• Bulbs may also be forced indoors in shallow bowls filled with decorative stones and water, where they will bloom beautifully without soil.

With its clusters of fragrant white-and-gold flowers, rich cultural history, and remarkable ease of growth, Chinese Sacred Lily Narcissus is a timeless favorite for gardens and indoor displays alike. Whether planted outdoors to welcome spring or forced indoors for winter blooms, this elegant heirloom bulb brings beauty, fragrance, and a touch of tradition to any home or landscape.