Hyacinth Care Guide: From Indoors to Outdoors
Indoor Hyacinth Cultivation
Hyacinths, known for their vibrant blooms and intense fragrance, can thrive indoors with proper care. To force blooms for winter enjoyment, chilling the bulbs for at least 13 weeks is crucial. This process can be done before or after planting in pots. Optimal chilling temperatures range from 35 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
For successful indoor growth, select a cool, dark location until the sprouts reach about 2 inches in height. Then, gradually move the container to a spot with indirect light. Once color emerges, relocate the plant to a sunny spot for the duration of the bloom period.
Container Selection and Soil Requirements
Hyacinths are well-suited for terra cotta bulb pots. These pots feature a broader base and shorter height, providing stability for top-heavy forced bulbs. A four-inch diameter pot accommodates a single bulb, while a six-inch diameter pot can hold up to three bulbs.
Standard potting soil works well for hyacinths, ensuring it is well-drained. Avoid using layers of gravel or trays of pebbles for drainage as ordinary potting soil provides sufficient porosity when drainage holes are present.
Planting and Repotting Hyacinth Bulbs
Fill the bulb pot halfway with potting soil. Place each bulb pointy side up and root side down in the soil. Add soil until the tips of the bulbs are exposed. Gently push down the soil to create a firm base.
Water the pots thoroughly and expect flowers to emerge within three weeks once the leaves begin growing.
Outdoor Hyacinth Cultivation
Forced hyacinths are commonly treated as annuals, but they can be replanted outdoors in climates that provide the required winter chilling period (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8). However, bringing them back indoors for indoor growth is generally not recommended.
Bulbs planted outdoors after indoor forcing typically won’t flower for a full year until they undergo another winter chilling period.
Growing Hyacinths Without Soil
Hyacinths can also be grown in water using specially designed hyacinth glasses. These glasses allow the bottom of the bulb to remain dry while the roots access water.
Another soilless method involves using a shallow dish or bowl filled with two to three inches of pebbles. Place the bulbs on top of the pebbles, pointy side up and root side down. Fill the dish or bowl with more pebbles, leaving only the top third of the bulb visible. Pour in enough water to submerge the bottom of the bulb slightly, allowing roots to form and grow down into the water. Keep the water level constant.
The temperature and light requirements remain the same as for hyacinths grown in potting soil.
Common FAQs
Where do hyacinths originate? Native to cooler regions of central and southern Turkey, northwestern Syria, and Lebanon.
Are there recommended cultivars? Popular varieties include ‘Blue Festival’, ‘Carnegie’, ‘Gipsy Queen’, ‘Purple Sensation’, and ‘White Festival’.
Can you grow hyacinths from collected flower seed? Possible but requires patience and several years of careful outdoor cultivation.
Do hyacinths produce offset bulbs? Yes, they can produce tiny offset bulbs that can be split off and replanted.
What do hyacinths symbolize? Meanings include forgiveness, jealousy, sorrow, and spirituality.
