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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Hyacinths
Ahhh! The scent of hyacinth is intoxicating in springtime! And who can resist the tiny blue Muscari? Learn more about planting these spring-flowering bulbs as well as caring for the pretty pastel flowers after they bloom.
About Hyacinths and Grape Hyacinths
- Hyacinths (Hyacinthus): Originally a pale blue or violet flower, hyacinths now come in a rainbow of colors, including lilacs, pinks, white, cobalt blue, cream, apricot, and even a blood-red hue. Each hyacinth bulb generally produces one flower stalk that stands 8 to 10 inches tall. The hyacinth鈥檚 loose-to-dense racemes (clusters) of strongly fragrant flowers may be closely packed single or double flowers.
- Grape hyacinths (Muscari) are not directly related to true hyacinths, but also bloom in mid-spring and have the same care requirements. This tiny wonder has small clusters of bell-shaped, cobalt-blue flowers.
Note: This page will refer to both Hyacinthus and Muscari plants as 鈥渉yacinths鈥 for simplicity鈥檚 sake!
As hyacinths are one of the first blooms, they look best at the front of a perennial garden, near the front door, along a walkway, or in mixed borders. These beauties are also a great choice for pots and planters. Hyacinths make wonderful cutting flowers, too, and look stunning in bouquets. As the flowers are famous for their fragrance, you can bring the sweet scent of spring inside!
The Victorians revered hyacinths for their sweet, lingering fragrance, and carefully massed them in low beds, planting them in rows of one color each. In general, hyacinths are said to symbolize playfulness, sport, and rashness, though their meanings are color-dependent. Learn more about the meanings of flowers.
Please note: Most hyacinths grow in zones 3 to 9. They must have cold temperatures of 40掳 to 45掳F (4掳 to 7掳C) for at least 12 to 14 weeks. If temperatures in your area do not get this cold, you鈥檒l need to pre-chill the bulbs in a refrigerator before planting them outdoors.
Warning: Hyacinth bulbs (and daffodil bulbs) contain a substance called oxalic acid, which can be irritating to bare skin. Use gloves when handling these bulbs for extended periods.
Catherine Boeckmann
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What causes hyacinth plants to bloom with only 4 or 5 flowers on the stem instead of a full bloom? (like the plant on the left in the 2nd picture above). If I fertilize more, will that help? They get plenty of sun and should store lots of energy for the next spring so why can't they grow a bunch of flowers?
A couple of things could cause weak or insufficientt blooms: not enough of a winter chill period, and failure to allow the foliage to die back naturally. Did they get mown down? (The foliage makes the energy to bloom in the next season.)
I read the articles and am still confused! My friend gave me a potted hyacinth plant in full bloom. I have a yard full of the beauties and can I add this potted one in my garden?
Thankyou,
Gale Moskowitz
As noted above, the planting time is mid- to late autumn. Allow the gift to die back in ts container and plant it then,
I added hyacinth to my spring bulbs two years ago and have no issues with them outdoor thus far. But I wasn't aware of just how powerful the smell is when cut and displayed in a vase indoors. As with everything in life, people have differing opinions and differing responses to stimuli. I found the hyacinth scent far too strong, to the point of creating a mild headache and some sinus discomfort. While they are gorgeous in the garden, I still wanted some for vases. The good news is that hyacinth scent is most powerful the first day or so after they are cut. Since they last nearly a week in a vase, the solution was simple: cut some, leave them in the hall or basement to give off the strongest scent, then bring them in! Give it a try if they are too strong for you.
My hyacinth is two years old and in a pot since last year. I live in zone 7, NC. It spent winter on the covered deck covered up but it started waking up/blooming in early February and now looks kinda, blah. I brought it back out in the sun and it seems happy except for the flowers. What can I do for it?
Hi, Bella, If you’d like the hyacinth to stay in the pot year after year, they need to start out in a soil-based compost and be planted 3 inches apart.
Every spring, work in a little slow-release bulb fertiliser into the compost surface. Check and water the compost to keep it moist, but not waterlogged.
I was given some lovely potted hyacinths and they have now finished blooming. I live in Tucson, Arizona - zone 9. How can I keep them going? Any alternative to planting outdoors?
I received a potted hyacinth earlier this year, and I kept it in the same place since it has lost its bloom and leaves. Now it looks like it is starting to bloom, with the bulbs resurfacing and a sprout emerging. Should I water it, or leave it be? Also should I open my shade in the window to let it get light or keep the shade down? I live in New England so it gets cold, but can be quite sunny in that window in the afternoon.
It may be (probably is) off it’s cycle–plant in fall for a cold spell, bloom in spring, die back and rest in summer before enjoying another cold period–so it may just send up foliage. Water it, give it light, and see what happens. But don’t be disappointed. Potted bulbs are usually forced to bloom for the spring holidays and enthusiasms, so this may be its last hurrah.
