Grow these gorgeous spring flowers in your garden or force them in a vase for an earlier bloom.
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are beautiful additions to Southern gardens.
The flowers appear in thick clusters on tall spikes.
Credit: Sarsmis/Getty Images
Depending on the climate, hyacinths are grown asperennialsor annuals.
To bloom, the bulbs require an extended winter chill.
In USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8 and colder zones, hyacinths areplanted between October and December.
In warmer locations, you’re able to still grow hyacinths as annuals and replant them every spring.
Hyacinths are toxic to people and pets.Always wear gloves when handling them.
Plant Attributes
Hyacinth Care
The time window when hyacinths need care is fairly small.
From late winter to spring during the growing and blooming periods, hyacinths need regular watering.
After the bloom, the foliage disintegrates; the plants vanish until the next spring.
The planting depth and spacing depend on your climate and the throw in of hyacinth.
Set smaller ones and Roman hyacinth bulbs 4 inches deep, 4-5 inches apart."
In cooler climates, the bulbs are planted a little deeper, about 6 to 7 inches deep.
Small bulbs give smaller, looser clusters with more widely spaced flowers."
Light
Grow hyacinths in full to partial sun.
As an early-blooming spring bulb, these plants will likely not compete for sun exposure from overhanging deciduous trees.
Soil
While not particular about soil pH, hyacinths best tolerate slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Soil should be loose, moderately fertile, and well-draining.
Water
Keep a consistently moist but well-draining soil.
Do not overwater the ground or container to avoid rot and diseases.
Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Types Of Hyacinths
Hyacinths are available in various colorssome better suited for warmer Southern climates.
Here are some selections to consider:
Pruning
Snip off any faded flower spikes.
This will ensure the plant doesn’t use its energy to produce seeds.
However, keep the leaves intact after the plant finishes blooming.
This lets the plant store energy for next year’s bloom.
Remove any dead or diseased foliage near the bulb’s base.
Propagating Hyacinths
Over time, healthy hyacinth bulbs produce more bulbs called bulblets.
The best method for propagating hyacinths is dividing offset bulbs from the main bulb.
Propagating hyacinths from seed is not recommended because the seeds are often sterile.
Alternatively, treat hyacinths as potted annuals.
Hyacinth bulbs require good drainage and grow best in aporous potting mix.
Cover the soil surface with a layer of mulch.
Water regularly, as potted plants dry out faster than garden soil.
Forcing Hyacinths
For an earlier bloom, you could force hyacinth bulbs in a vase.
Change the water regularly and keep the water level consistent.
The forced hyacinths will flower in six to eight weeks.
However, the bulbs will likely not rebloom.
Overwintering
Depending on your climate, hyacinth bulbs may require some winter care.
The bulbs will rot if hyacinth plants experience too much moisture.
Another pest you might find on hyacinths isaphids.
Hyacinth bulbs are susceptible to rot, often occurring from oversaturating the soil.
Treat infected plants with fungicides and maintain healthy foliage to prevent the disease from spreading.
Fertilize the bulbs up to twice a year after the bloom and in the fall.
If your winters are too warm, hyacinths may not bloom.
In that case, plant pre-chilled bulbs and treat them as annuals.
It causes leaves to droop and leads to rapid but weak stem growth.
As a result, the plants become top-heavy and fall over.
When growing hyacinths, especially indoors, keep the temperatures moderately cool.
Frequently Asked Questions
A hyacinth bulb will live for three to four years.
Some people in warmer climates do this too to prevent having to manually chill their bulbs.
you’re able to purchase hyacinth bulbs pre-chilled.
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis)and grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) are different species.
Like hyacinths, grape hyacinths are also aperennial bulbthat blooms in mid-spring.
Near a south-facing window is ideal.
NC Cooperative Extension.Hyacinthus orientalis.
