The species narcissus is native to south eastern France, south eastern France, south western Spain and Portugal, where it flowers outdoors in winter, although many of the commercially available bulbs actually come from Israel.
It is not surprising that when given warmth and moisture, the bulbs burst into growth after being planted indoors in autumn.
Closely related and behaving in the same way are the cultivars.
Grow these narcissi in a warm, well lit places where a temperature of sixty degree Fahrenheit can be maintained.
Other narcissi that are suitable for forcing indoors are the cultivars Crawford and bridal crown, both of which are easily available but later flowering.
As a rule, the later they flower, the more important it is to give th bulbs a cool period of several weeks after planting.
So if you are growing bulbs of either Crawford or bridal crown indoors, place them in a cool, dark place for about ten weeks, when the shoots should be around 2 inches high.
You may choose to grow several different types of cultivar; keeping to a single type in each bowl, and by doing this you will be able to have blooms from early winter through to midwinter, and beyond.
If you use a container without drainage holes, a painted, metal or glazed pot, for instance, use specially formulated free draining bulb fiber.
This will give the bulbs a good growing medium and will help prevent the compost or soil mix from becoming sour over the ensuing months.
If you use a traditional plant pot with drainage holes, you can use a soil based potting compost soil mix, but place a saucer beneath it to protect your furniture or the windowsill.