Hyacinth or Hyacinthus is a genus of bulbous, spring-blooming, perennial, fragrant flowering plants. They are native to the Mediterranean region, southern Turkey & tropical Africa. You can grow hyacinth flowers from bulbs; each bulb produces around four to six linear leaves that grow 6 to 8 inches high and one to three spikes of flowers.
Flowers may be purple, deep purple, pink, wine red, or white in colour. However, it would help if you were careful while touching hyacinth bulbs because they are toxic (contains oxalic acid). Wear gardening gloves to handle bulbs. Follow these tips to plant, grow & care for hyacinth flower bulbs.
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How To Start Planting Hyacinth Bulbs?
Planting Season: Start planting hyacinth bulbs from late summer to fall season, usually around September to October.
Soil & Potting Mix: They love well draining loamy soil rich in organic matter. Prepare potting mix with 40% soil + 30% cocopeat + 40% compost + 1 teaspoon bonemeal.
Pre-Chilling: Before planting bulbs, ensure they remain under temperatures ranging from 4 to 7o Celsius for 12 to 14 weeks. If the local climate is not suitable, pre-chill by keeping bulbs in a refrigerator.
How To Plant: After wearing gardening gloves, plant bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, 5 to 6 inches apart & keep pointed end upwards, leave top portion exposed. Apply 1 inch layer of staraw mulch & water firmly around bulbs.
How To Care For Hyacinth Flower Bulbs?
Follow these guidelines to care for hyacinth flowering plant.
- Climate: Hyacinth grows well in cool temperate climate. Before planting bulbs temperature should remain between 4 to 7o Celsius for at least 14 weeks.
- USDA Zones: You can grow them easily in USDA Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9.
- Sunlight: They love bright direct to indirect sublight through out the day. For getting larger blooms keep them under direct sunlight.
- Watering: Do not overwater; avoid watering over bulbs as it can cause fungal disease. Apply water on the soil around the bulb with the help of a gardening hose whenever the top 2 to 3 inches layer of soil becomes completely dry.
- Fertilizers: Once shoots start emerging in spring season, start feeding hyacinth plant. Use organic fertilizer such as bonemeal, onion peel or banana peel fertilizer to promote flowering in the plant.
How To Force Hyacinth Bulbs To Flower Indoors?
You can force hyacinth to flower indoors in soil and water in glass vase by following these methods.
How To Start Forcing Hyacinth Bulb In Water?
Container: Hyacinth vases or glasses are specially designed for forcing hyacinth bulbs. You can also use other glass vases or jars where bulbs can be suspended over water.
Pre Chilling: Keep bulbs in the refrigerator between 4 to 7o Celsius for 13 weeks before planting.
Planting: Fill hyacinth vases with water & keep bulbs on the opening of hyacinth vase. Or you can take a glass container, fill pebbles up to 2/3 of the glass container and plant bulbs above them. Bulbs should not be submerged under water; only the base should be touching the water.
Location: Keep planted bulbs where they can receive bright indirect sunlight throughout the day & watch them grow gradually.
How To Store Hyacinth Bulb?
Once hyacinth plants stop flowering, then do not store bulbs directly. They need nourishment to bloom in the next season. Let the green foliage part die back naturally, then carefully remove bulbs from the soil. Remove foliage and wrap bulbs in paper to store them in a cool, dark place for planting next season.
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