How to plant hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis)

Hyacinths are popular spring bulbs that should be planted in autumn. In this article we will show how to plant hyacinths in small pots, but they can be planted in larger posts full of bulbs or even in the ground.

We usually plant hyacinths individually in small pots that we can take indoors for display and fragrance. A black pot is very straightforward, then we use a more decorative pot that will hold and hide the cultivation pot. We plant the bulbs with intervals of 2 weeks so we can get a continuity of flowering bulbs to get inside.

As the majority of bulbs we need to provide hyacinths a good draining soil. Adding grit to the compost will play an important role preventing bulb rot.

Bulb storage is of major importance to keep them away from rotting. An healthy bulb should look like the one in the picture below.

Hyacinth bulb

We prepared a good draining soil, added some grit to the bottom of the pot and place the bulb. You don’t need and shouldn’t fully bury hyacinth bulbs.

They will do very well just left over the compost. This will keep the bulb aerated and the roots will easily grow.

Hyacinth bulbs planted in small pots

After planting the pots can be placed in a dark place to force the flowers. They should be taken to light when there are signs of the flowers emerging from the bulb. Then they will grow vigorously before the leaves.

The compost should be kept moist but never soaked.

Here is a picture of some of the above bulbs planted in November and flowering in February.