Hyacinth bulbs are planted in the fall and bloom in the spring. Here’s a guide to planting and growing hyacinths and grape hyacinths in your home and garden!
About Hyacinths and Grape Hyacinths
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus) come in a variety of colors—from bright pink to soft blue. The hyacinth’s 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 belong to the same botanical family and have essentially the same care requirements. On this page, “hyacinths” refers to both Hyacinthus and Muscari species.
The Victorians revered hyacinths for their sweet, lingering fragrance, and carefully massed them in low beds, planting in rows of one color each. In general, hyacinths are said symbolize playfulness, sport, and rashness, though meanings are color-dependent. Learn more about the meanings of flowers.
Hyacinths are perennial bulbs and are often planted directly in the ground outdoors, though these easy bulbs are also excellent for forcing in container gardens or being made to flower indoors during the winter.
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Digging up Hyacinths
My husband and I have moved into a rental home where the Hyacinths have spread out into the main yard. I wanted to know when is the right time to dig them up. We are in Peoria, IL which puts us in Region 6 for weather and Area 2 for Moon phases. Also, what is the best way to dig them up and store them until we can replant them this fall?
Digging up Hyacinths
The best time to dig up and replant hyacinths is in the fall, but truth be told, you can dig them up anytime after their foliage dies back. Store them in a cool, dark place that’s not overly-humid and then replant them in the fall.
Hyacinths with weak stalks
I have grown hyacinths successfully in my BC garden for many years but over the last few years, a number of the plants have developed long weak stalks which do not hold up the flower heads. This is a recurring problem that only happens with specific clumps of bulbs which are situated in various areas of the garden. The rest of the bulbs in the garden produce stocky strong stems that hold the flowers upright even after one of our frequent heavy spring rains. I am tempted to replace the 'weaker' plants as it is so disappointing to have their beautiful flowers lying on the ground each spring. Any suggestions?
Hyacinths with weak stalks
Generally speaking, when a plant develops longer, thinner stalks, and/or longer and thinner leaves it is stretching to compete and reach for the sun. Use the instructions in this article, mark the areas where you have the thinning plants, and wait until the foliage has died back, or wait until the time you would normally plant fall bulbs.
When you dig them up, you may be surprised at the number of bulbs you have!
North FL zone 9b
I live in zone 9b and received a potted hyacinth recently. The blooms are beginning to wilt. Can I go ahead and transplant it in the ground and follow your instructions for care? Our winter temperatures do reach below 60 for several weeks, but it can be very rainy in the spring and summer, and I’m concerned about bulb rot.
Reply to Sarah on March 24, 2018
I want to know the answer to Sarah's question.
Store bought forced bulbs re-sprouting
Last year I was given an indoor hyacinth which from reading here I have learnt would have been forced. The trio of bulbs are planted in soil with a thin layer of decorative moss. They bloomed last year and once they had withered I cut off the dead leaves. I noticed them sprouting again this year having been left indoors all year. I've been giving them a small amount of water. Do you think they'll bloom? They have been living at room temperature, well above 45F. Is there anything I should do?
a seasonal alternative to a forced hyacinth
You needn’t and probably can not do anything that will change the course of events for these bulbs. They may show signs of life instinctively. But you probably will not get a full, true bloom or foliage. Enjoy any growth that appears. For the pleasure of a seasonal bulb, you might want to purchase a narcissus bulb; they are available in many garden supply stores now. Cover the bottom of a narrow vase or drinking glass with pebbles to about 1 inch deep, put the bulb in on the stones, and add water to reach about halfway up the bulb. Set it near sunlight and keep the water level constant. Like the hyacinth, this is a one-time performance but it is lovely, fragrant, and inexpensive (typically less than $1).
Dormant Forced Vase Hy but with Offshoots
My forced water vase Hy's leaves are finally all dead, which usually signals a dormancy. I am ready to dry the roots and refrigerate it for the summer but wanted to make sure it was the right move since it is already sprouting offshoots from the bottom of the bulb.
Also after 8-10 weeks in the fridge would have me pulling it out and planting it in the Oct-Nov, which feels wrong.
Thanks for any advice!
(Zone 11b)
Hyacinth plants
I purchased the plants in a pot but the blooms are very heavy and droop to the side. Do I have to tie the blooms so they do not droop so bad. Also would they keep drooping if I plan them outside. Any suggestions? I would like them to be standing up straight. Thanks
Hyacinth drooping
To keep a hyacinth from drooping, you can place a stake about an inch from the stem, and loosely tie the stem to the stake beneath the flower head. We like to use old pantyhose but yard will also do (or, gardener’s tape that you purchase).
Hyacinth seeds.
After my hyacinth bloomed and are done there are seed pods on them or what are the little pods. Can they be used.
hyacinth pods
The pods that remain on the hyacinth flower stalk can be used—that is, they can be planted, but it is a long walk to a bloom (as long as six years) and there is no guarantee (some say it is not likely) that the “new” plant will be the same variety as the parent. The best way to get another plant that is similar to the bulb you have is to plant the small bulbs that form on the parent plant. However, if you want to try the pod seeds, remove them from the pods. Store in a cool, dry place. When you want to start them, soak the seeds in water for 24 to 48 hours. Prepare a mixture of perlite and pear moss in a seed tray, and plant the seeds in it, them put the tray in a greenhouse or cold frame. The first year, you may see leaves, as the plant puts its energy into developing a bulb. You can give it some bulb booster fertilizer and, as noted, above, give it time.
Dividing, storing and replanting
I have hyacinths that have bloomed on time for years. This year's blooming is done and the foliage is browning. I want to dig them up, divide them and redistribute them. How should I keep the bulbs while they are out of the ground? How long before I should replant them. They are too numerous to dig out in one day by hand so some storage in necessary while I rework the beds.
Hyacinth
Do I have to throw a hyacinth if it gotS5ijh frozen?
Planting from pot
I have a few hyacinth plants that I bought in pots from the florist. They are done blooming now and I was wondering if I could go ahead and plant them outside even though it's spring? I live in Minnesota if that makes a difference. Thanks!
planting potted hyacinths
Yes! If you have not already, prune off the flower stalk and let the foliage die back. Then, plant the hyacinth bulbs, as directed above. They should come back for years.
Lifespan without wilting
Hi, do you know how long the Hyacinth Blue is supposed to live without wilting?
Greatly appreciated,
Awesome
How often do hyacinths bloom in the spring?
I live in Oklahoma where almost nothing grows. Weather here is erratic and often extreme. I purchased hyacinths about two weeks ago already in bloom and very fragrant. I planted them in a large pot for mobility in case our momentary rain suddenly turns into dry and hot. This is the third week and now the blooms are dead. The rest of the plants are green and vibrant. Any suggestions on how to better care for these beautiful hyacinths and are the blooms a one time event in the spring?
hanging on to hyacinths
Hyacinths only last a couple of weeks or so anyway, so you got the best of these. In future, it would be wise not to transplant them while in bloom. Think about: they are doing what they are meant to, they are putting on a show…and by transplanting them, you drop the curtain (so to speak). In future, let them be in the container they come in. They were set there and forced, for your pleasure——and it sounds like it was a really good show!
Hyacinth not returning
I live in southeast Pennsylvania and planted some grape Muscari the fall before last. Last spring I had a beautiful showing of blooms. I left the foliage alone to die down all summer. This spring, few of the leaves and none of the blooms have reappeared. What went wrong?
Early bloomer?
My plant was given to me with flowers in the winter and everything died in the spring, when should I introduce it to ight again?
hyacinths from store or from planted what to do
I bought a dozen hyacinths from a store last year and planted them inside for winter bloom. They smelled and looked beautiful but now look they look like old garage. The plant looks yellowish and some bulbs seem rotten. What did I do wrong? Of the ones outside, none are growing. Please help me.
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moved hyacinth
husband bought me a hyacinth from store in a glass vase w/water but dropped it in driveway and broke the vase in pieces! so he(without asking me how to do it first) planted it in the ground right away! it already bloomed in about a week and a half but its not in a very good place in the ground! my question is would i be able to dig it back up and move it to a better location in the ground without killing it in the process?
Moved Hyacinth
Hi Stephanie,
That’s quite a story! Since it has bloomed already, let it be until the flowers have died. Cut back the flowers, but leave the green leaves to let the plant continue photosynthesizing and storing energy for the winter. After the bloom it would be safe to dig up and move the bulb, though the best time to do that is in the fall.
Dead Hyacinths
I purchased 10 Hyacinths plants last week at the local big box store. They had not yet bloomed but you could see the flower bulb, if that is what it is called, within the green stalks. I planted them in freshly tilled soil, and made sure that they were watered. The purple ones bloomed first followed by the pink ones, but within 2-3 days the purple ones began to shrivel up, turn black and were dead. What did I do wrong or not right? Is there a chance these will survive for next year? Do I cut off the dead flower or do I take them back and get a refund, or not waste my time and gas since I only paid about $2 per plant. Thank you. Larry
hyacinth help
We are going to guess that these bulbs were in pots, with soil. It is highly likely that they were “forced” in order to reach the stage they did at this time. The actual bulb (which is the round bottom that is under the soil) probably had some root growth on it. You should not have transplanted the bulbs. It would not have been a guarantee of success but would have given the plants their best shot. Think about it: root it set, growth has begun, a flower bud shows promise…why disturb it by taking it out of its cozy home and making it adapt to new dirt, new conditions, etc. They couldn’t take it. Chalk it up to experience and move on.
In the autumn, buy a bag of hyacinth bulbs and plant them where you want them to bloom in the spring. That is, if you are in a cold climate. Hyacinth need winter conditions. If you’re not in a cold climate, buy the potted plants again but leave them in the pots.
Potted hyacinths
I live in Atlanta and bought potted hyacinths from the local grocery store. They are in full bloom now. After cutting off the dried flowers and letting the leaves dry naturally, what's the best way to ensure the bulbs bloom again next year? Thanks!
Forced hyacinth in water around mid February
My question is how should I care for the bloomed hyacinth afterwards; the flowers are creating seeds I think. I'm not sure if I should trim the dead flower or just leave it alone and nature take its course thought the leaves are pretty green. Another question is how long would it take for another bloom? ( realistically I know it will be for good period of time )
after hyacinths bloom....
As noted above under “Care,” After plants are finished flowering in spring, cut back flower stalks but allow the leaves to die back naturally. Hyacinths do not bloom more than one time.
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