Narcissus Fairy: The Elegant Name of the Narcissus, Its Origin and a Brief Guide to Care

Narcissus Fairy is an elegant name for the narcissus, generally referring to the Chinese narcissus (Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis), a perennial herbaceous plant in the amaryllis family, genus Narcissus. It is often grown in a basin of clear water; its flowers are refined and graceful, like a fairy walking on the water, and that is how it got its name. It is one of China's traditional famous flowers.

This elegant name comes from the allusion of "walking on ripples with light steps" in the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," and later generations used it to describe the charm of the narcissus blooming by the water. The leaves of the narcissus are flat and slender, emerald green in colour, and the flowers are mostly pure white with a golden-yellow corona in the centre, giving off a fresh, intense fragrance. Single-petaled varieties have a cup-like flower shape and have long been called "golden cup and silver platform," while double-petaled varieties are called "Jade Exquisite."

The narcissus is mainly propagated by bulbs; home cultivation commonly uses clear-water hydroponics, though it can also be grown in pots with soil. When growing in water, the water level should not be too deep; it is enough to cover the base of the bulb and keep the roots in contact with the water. The placement should have ample light and a rather cool temperature, as insufficient light easily causes the leaves to grow leggy and the flower stems to become thin and weak. Note that the sap of narcissus bulbs and leaves is toxic, so after pruning or changing the water you should wash your hands promptly, and it must not be eaten by mistake.

The narcissus blooms right at the turn of winter and spring, and is often kept as a New Year floral display in halls and studies, adding a touch of refined elegance to the festive season. It does not demand much from its environment; a basin of clear water plus ample sunlight is enough for it to grow and bloom normally. It is easy to manage and very suitable for beginners to try.