Forcing Hyacinth Bulbs Indoors

Forcing hyacinth bulbs indoors is a wonderful way to bring the beauty and fragrance of spring into your home during the winter months. Hyacinths are one of the easiest bulbs to force indoors, providing a vibrant display of blooms and a delightful, perfume-like scent that can brighten any room.

Understanding Forcing Bulbs

Forcing bulbs involves tricking them into blooming earlier than they would outdoors. Spring bulbs like hyacinths typically require a cold period to simulate winter conditions before they bloom. When done properly, you can enjoy the cheerful blossoms of hyacinths indoors during winter, often around the holiday season.

Why Force Hyacinths Indoors?

Hyacinths are particularly well-suited for indoor forcing because of their relatively low maintenance requirements and ability to bloom in various settings, including soil, water, or even special forcing vases. Their sweet fragrance and stunning color range—from pink and purple to blue, white, and yellow—make them a popular choice for indoor gardeners looking to create an indoor spring garden in the heart of winter.

Bulb Selection

Selecting the right bulbs is crucial for successfully forcing hyacinths indoors.

When purchasing bulbs, always select the largest available. The larger the bulb, the more florets it can support, with some bulbs producing as many as 60 to 70 florets per flower stalk. The size of the bulb directly influences the strength of the stem and the overall quality of the bloom.

For forcing hyacinths, bulb sizes 16-17 or 18-19 are ideal. These larger bulbs are perfect for forcing in soil, resulting in stronger flower stalks and fuller blooms. If you plan to force bulbs in glass jars or water, size 16-17 bulbs are recommended due to their more compact nature, making them better suited for these smaller containers.

Handling hyacinth bulbs can cause mild skin irritation. Protective gloves are recommended.

Forcing Hyacinths in Soil

Fill the Pot: Choose a shallow pot about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) deep and with drainage holes. Fill it with well-draining potting soil, leaving about 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) of space at the top.

Plant the Bulbs: Place the hyacinth bulbs on top of the soil, pointed end up. Space them about 1-2 inches apart, and plant them so that the top third of each bulb remains exposed above the soil surface.

Water Lightly: Water the bulbs gently, making sure not to overwater. The soil should be moist but not soggy.

Store in a Cool, Dark Place: After planting, move the pots to a cool, dark area such as a basement or garage for about 12-14 weeks. The temperature should be between 40-45°F (4-7°C). Avoid storing them near fruits, especially apples or pears, as the ethylene gas emitted by ripening fruits can damage the bulbs and prevent blooming. Make sure the potting soil remains moist. The roots will begin to grow during this time, and the bulbs will continue to experience their simulated “winter.”

Bring Indoors: Once shoots are about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, bring the pots indoors to a bright, sunny spot. Within a few weeks, the bulbs will begin to bloom. Turn the containers regularly to promote straight, upright growth.

Care During Bloom: While blooming, water the hyacinths regularly, but do not let the soil become waterlogged. The flowers should last for about 2-3 weeks.

Forcing Hyacinths in Water

Forcing hyacinths in water is a fun and decorative method that showcases both the bulb and its roots. Special hyacinth vases are available for this method, but any clear vase that can hold the bulb above water will work.

Fill the Vase with Water: Fill the vase with water until it reaches just below the bottom of the bulb. The water should not touch the bulb, as direct contact can cause it to rot.

Position the Bulb: Place the bulb in the vase with the pointed end up. The bottom of the bulb should hover just above the water.

Cool, Dark Storage: Place the vase in a cool, dark place, such as a basement or refrigerator, at 40-45°F (4-7°C) until the vase is full of roots and the flower stems emerge. Avoid storing them near fruits, especially apples or pears, as the ethylene gas emitted by ripening fruits can damage the bulbs and prevent blooming. Always keep the water level consistent during the precooling period so the roots never dry out.

Move to a Sunny Location: Once the shoots are 2-3 inches tall, move the vase to a sunny window. Ensure that the water level remains just below the bulb. Turn your glass jar or vase daily to keep your hyacinth growing upright.

Blooming and Care: The hyacinth will bloom in a few weeks. Keep the vase in a bright location, but avoid direct sunlight, which can cause the blooms to fade quickly. Change the water regularly to keep it fresh.

After Blooming

Once your indoor hyacinths have finished blooming, the bulbs will not rebloom indoors. However, you can replant them in your garden to bloom in future years. After the blooms fade, allow the foliage to die back naturally. This process allows the bulb to store energy for future growth. After the leaves have withered, remove the bulb from the pot or vase.

Store the bulbs in a cool, dry place until fall, when you can plant them outdoors in your garden. While they may not bloom as vigorously as they did indoors, with proper care, they will still produce lovely blooms in the years to come.