What’s the best way to banish the winter doldrums? Forcing hyacinth bulbs of course! But you have to take action now or you won’t be reaping sweetly scented rewards come February.
“Forcing” is a planting technique that allows you to bring plants into bloom months before they would flower out in your garden.
No doubt, Dutch hyacinths are some of the word’s most fragrant flowers. But did you know? They are also one of the best bulbs for forcing.
To “force” a hyacinth bulb, you are simply potting the hyacinth bulb in soil or placing bulbs in water replicating winter conditions. This simple process encourages them into bloom earlier than their “normal” spring bloom time.
All those hyacinths, tulips, daffodils and crocuses you see in grocery store aisles in Easter? Forced bulbs. Exactly. But those purchased flower bulb pots cost $7-$10 compared to 50 cents to $1 each bulb. Forcing your own bulbs is so much more cost effective.
Are you in? Want to “force” a few hyacinths with me? Nothing could be simpler to do. Here’s how.
When to force hyacinth bulbs
It’s so difficult to know when forced bulbs will bloom. The struggle is real! And it’s never going to be an exact science with the extremely general time frame of taking 12-20 weeks to “force” hyacinths into bloom.
Experimenting with various spring bulbs and planting a few bulbs each week between mid-October and late-November is your best bet.
As a very general rule, bulbs planted mid-October should bloom in February. Bulbs planted in mid-late November will see blooms between March and April.
On average, flowering should occur 3 to 4 weeks after the bulbs have been removed from cold storage which takes about 13 weeks.
In any case, bulb quality control is vital. A few cuts, scars or discolored exteriors is totally fine and normal. But soft spots? Mushy bulbs? Pushing your finger through a bulb? Toss or compost those bulbs.
Glove tip…
Some people develop mild itching when handling hyacinth bulbs. So as a precautionary measure, you might want to wear garden gloves when handling hyacinth bulbs~ no ones likes to be itchy!
Why winter temps are critical in forcing hyacinth bulbs
Hyacinths need to go through a period of cold weather in order to bloom properly. Being exposed to winter temps tells the embryonic flower inside the bulb “hey…spring is coming soon, time to start developing”.
But if the bulbs are not exposed to the right amount of cold for the right amount of time, flowers may not form properly or not at all. Disaster!
You can buy pre-chilled bulbs or chill your own. The advantages of chilling your own bulbs is that you have more choices for varieties.
Regardless, you can chill your hyacinth bulbs either before or after you plant them. In both cases, the chilling needs to last at least 13 weeks.
Some people chill their bulbs in brown paper bags in their fridge until ready plant. Other’s plant in soil and store in their fridge for the chilling period.
Quite honestly, I don’t have room in my fridge for either option! Especially for 13 very long weeks. So I will plant mine in soil and water and chill in my sunroom.
How the process of pre-cooling/chilling works….
If you don’t have a sunroom, an unheated garage or basement, dark corner of the shed, mudroom or cool attic will work equally well. The key is no heat.
Most importantly, potted bulbs or bulbs placed in water must stay between m,m Fahrenheit with moderate ventilation for 8 to 16 weeks. So find a location that will suit the bulbs!
Consistent temperature is a must when forcing hyacinth bulbs. Consistently moist soil is also a must. Darkness is a must. I put my potted hyacinth bulbs in a box in my sunroom giving them the darkness and temps they crave.
At all costs, avoid freezing temps! If the temp drops below that 40 degrees Fahrenheit mark, you risk damaging the bulbs or the bulbs remaining dormant and never flowering at all. Sad!
Using a soil thermometer is helpful to keep those temps in check!
Fast forcing hyacinths fact…
Among all flower bulbs, hyacinths are the only bulbs that may have different colored tunics by variety. Some are magenta blue, others a mottled purple and others have an ivory tunic with silvery white. Awesome!
How to force hyacinths in a pot of soil
Use a high-quality, sterile and neutral pH potting soil that will support growing flower bulbs and hold enough moisture for proper root growth. You’ll also need pots (clay ones work well) or a clay bulb pan with good drainage.
A bulb pan is less deep than a standard pot. It’s broad and lower base provides great stability for fully blooming pots of forced hyacinth bulbs that tend to get top-heavy.
Broken pottery shard layered on the bottom provides extra drainage. Drainage holes are preferred but not necessary but you’ll have to be extra careful about not overwatering without them.
Fill each pot halfway up with potting soil. Tuck in your hyacinth bulbs about 1-inch apart (root side down please) in the pot. Leave the very tip of the bulb exposed when you fill up the rest of the pot with potting soil.
Add soil until you have a 1-inch gap at the top of the pot to make room for water. You don’t want the pot to overflow. Super messy!
Gently tap down the soil. That’s it. Your done.
How many hyacinth bulbs per pot?
Personally, I like full pots of blooms for maximum impact, color and scent. In others words, I want flower power. This is why I plant the hyacinth bulbs 1-inch apart.
If you want the same drama as I, you’ll want to make sure bulbs are planted close together but not touching each other or the side of the pot. Fitting shoulder to shoulder is ideal.
Plant just below the surface of the soil to leave as much room as possible for rooting making sure that white tip stays exposed.
A single hyacinth bulb is appropriate for a 4-inch pot or 3 bulbs for a 6-inch pot is perfect.
Nevertheless, place labels in each pot to identify the variety being forced and the date you put the bulbs into pre-cooling. This will help you plan for next year!
Fridge forcing hyacinths bulbs tip
Never pre-cool hyacinth bulbs in a fridge with apples or pears because they release ethylene gas when they ripen. Super bad for bulbs! Besides….who has room in their fridge for bulbs?
How to force bulbs in glasses
First off, clean the glasses or vessels. Hand wash with gentle dish soap and lay out to dry.
Fill each glass with room water temperature until just under, but not touching, where the basil plate, or root base of the bulb will be.
The bulb should not be in the water, just slightly above the water. You don’t want the bulb to rot!
During the cooling period, the bulb will grow roots big, luscious white roots down into the water. All the while, a pale, greenish-yellow top sprout will appear.
It’s vital to keep the water level consistent during the pre-cooling period so that the roots never dry out.
Mason Jars, tiny vases with small opening and even tea cups can work to plant in! The trick is to find a vessel into which the hyacinth bulb will fit but remain suspended over the water.
I like clear vessels so I can see the roots forming!
The vessel should be stable and remain that way when the plant is in bloom supporting a 8″ flower stalk teetering at the top!
The Salvation Army or Goodwill Stores are excellent places to find extra vessels to plant in if you don’t already own some you’re willing or want to use.
When to remove hyacinth pots/vessels from pre-cooling
There’s a true art to forcing hyacinth bulbs because the growth range is great~ between 8-16 weeks.
Either during or after the development of a good root system, you will begin to observe the growth of a pale, greenish-yellow sprout when forcing hyacinth bulbs.
As you check your bulbs weekly, watering pots with soil or re-filling the water in hyacinth vessels, watch for top growth.
The top sprout will thicken as the bud begins to emerge as you see one or two inches of top growth. There will be a substantive “feel” to the enclosed bud hidden within the top growth.
This is when to bring them into a very low light environment in a spot with a temp range of 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. No bright light! No greenhouse. No windowsills please.
Bright light would only shock the new pale greenish-yellow sprouts that have been thus far in the dark. They need time to acclimate slowly to allow for chlorophyll production.
In 7-10 days move pots/vessels to a little brighter sun but again avoid direct sun. Keep in the 60 degree range and rotate to keep the spikes straight. Keep watering!
Once the flower buds color up, the pots/vessels may be placed anywhere to enjoy and smell!
Cooler temps will keep the flower lasting longer. Other bulbs you should consider forcing are tulips, crocus and daffodils.
A friend of mine did this with tulips – great advice and thank you for sharing 🙂
I love bulbs for the holidays!!
I have tried to force bulbs myself here in WNY a couple of ways most were fails especially due to the snow or ice that cemented my pots to the ground under my porches so I found that the excelsior paperbag in a plastic container method in basement fridge then potting up in containers works best for me. Thank you writing this and informing people that this can be done with success and is actually economical plus alot of fun if you have patience.
I had no idea that this could be done – thank you for this hot tip. I can’t wait to try!
Same! I’ve been wanting to try this for a while.
This is absolutely awesome! I’m an avid gardener and appreciate the tips, pictures advice, and giveaways. Thank you for the opportunity!
I’ll have to try this.
Hyacinths smell the absolute best!
Those would look nice in the yard.
Daffodils are my favorite spring bulbs, with yellow my favorite flower color. Since moving to Texas, we’ve found that some bulbs we enjoyed in Missouri don’t thrive in our warmer planting zone. However, we’ve discovered different bulbs to grow that are hardy in Texas, including some orchid varieties, amaryllis, peruvian daffodils, red spider lilies (a new favorite), and crinum lilies. So many floral joys!
I wish I could make mine look this good!
I love daffodils .. and I used to love forcing bulbs a long time ago. I’ll have to start again.
I LOVE tulips!!
I’m gonna try with a couple of tulips !
Its awesome how you have these contests especially at this hard time with the Covid-19 stuff going on. Alot of people will have big smiles it they win!
The hyacinths are beautiful. Wish I could grow them.
such a pretty flower
These are one of my favorite flowers
I always wanted to try this! How nice to have a bit of Springtime in the middle of winter! 🙂
Fascinating! I’m definitely a “beginner” when it comes to gardening. (I have a few bulbs scattered around the yard. Mostly experiments, as I wasn’t really sure how, where or if they’d grow.) I love the idea of forcing the bulbs, but it sounds a little complicated for a novice. 🙂
awesome sauce!
Too bad that I can’t plant them in the North as they’ll surely die in the freezing cold!
Love the smell of these
My wife wisely planted many of these and now bypassers rave about our front yard!
I love Tulips they are so beautiful and they show the warmth of better weather coming wish they lasted longer
What beautiful flowers. I wish i was better at this, just have to try again.
Tulips, for my favorite spring bulbs. Too much waiting time, not worth the trouble for me on forcing the bulbs.
Absolutely love hyacinths! Thanks for sharing this.
Haven’t had much luck with hyacinths, so good to know info here
nice
hyacinth and lily of the valley
thanks for reminder…got bulbs that need to go out. and thanks for the contest too!
Would love to have flowers so beautiful & I seem to do really well with some not so good with others
Ive never heard of doing this before ,very interesting! Im going to try this!
Nice things
Could not have picked a better prize for people who like to garden and spend time outdoors. Thanks! 🤞🏻
🌻🌹🌷🌼🌸🥀🏵️🌺
love to win this and I love your blogg
Alojha Friend: You have a beautiful site. I grew up in Skagit County, Washington where thousands upon thousands of Daffodils & Tulips are grown. I have lived in Hawaii for 30 yrs. now & always miss them blooming!
I love hyacinth and the smell of them but I c as n never get them to grow very big.
These are so pretty and they come back year after year. I love the colors.
I love hyacinths. They are so cheerful. Thanks for the information. Enjoy! Lisa
What beautiful flowers come from your bulbs!
I have wanted to do this for some time. This is the year!
They look so beautiful.
You offered some great tips Thanks so much
Adorable gardens
I really love this site and all the helpful things about gardening.
I love planting bulbs in the Fall, then I look forward to Spring and seeing them come up and bllom for the first time.
The first time that I ever tried to plant bulbs I planted them upside down. My husband and best friend have not let me live that down and it’s been 48 years! Both still laugh and tease me about it,
beautiful flowers, but it is such a dry climate where I live, I probably wouldn’t do this. I enjoy them though.
love all fowers!!
Great information for me to put to use. Thanks
Just stunning!
Great content, thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to try this but I do not have a green thumb!
Hyacinths have been my favorite since childhood. I used to buy a small pot of hyacinths for mom at a school sale every year during the week before Easter. I “hid” them in my bedroom and then proudly presented them to her on Easter morning. She was surprised (not) every time. I have not been successful in having them come back healthfully when planted outside. I have forced a few over the years.
My favorite bulb is Galanthus – Snowdrops. They are dear to my heart. Thank you.
Wonderful information, I really should learn to do more in the garden like this.
This post has a ton of useful information! I will look for hyacinth bulbs the next time I visit the nursery.
Unforchantly they wount go here.
I love daffodils.
Great information. Have never planted bulbs before.
I love hyacinth flowers! So pretty! Thank you.
I love hyacinths! Thanks for the tip!
daffodils! So many different varieties and blooming schedule!
Hyacinths are so beautiful and smell so good.
I love lilies
I love hyacinth! The smell is amazing and always reminds me of spring. I’ve tried forcing but never had much luck . I remember receiving already forced bulbs as gifts but they never last long.
Amaryllis are my very favorite!
This is fascinating. I have never planted bulbs of any kind.
I do not have a favorite… I like variety
I’d love to try forcing the blooms and you have showed me how. Can’t wait to try it.
I love doing this to bring the beauty and delicious scent indoors.
My Mother used to put bulbs in the freezer for 2 weeks before planting but I’ve never tried it before.
Daffodils!
I have never tried to force bulbs before, but I love this! And thank you for the glove tip!
I love Tulips!
What beautiful flowers. I have never tried to force a bulb. Thanks
Nice
I absolutely love Hyacinths 💘 They are so beautiful. They smell amazing too.
My wife would like this but I admit, I won’t force it if I can’t eat it. I wonder if I can force a watermelon?
I absolutely love the Asiatic Lily – Starlette. They are incredibly beautiful.
LOVE THIS
Very informative… I’m still growing my green thumb!
great color. i like these.
Oh this is lovely! I put some in the ground I should find more to force!
I love how versatile hyacinths are
Thanks for the great info on how to force hyacinth bulbs!
Is it easy to grow? Love to grow
Thank you, I can almost smell them!
I wonder why some develop itching while handling hyacinth bulbs?
i love my garden time
thank you for the informative article
I had to pin this. I love the aroma of hyacinths. Maybe I can be enjoying them earlier than expected.
I now want to buy some to grow this year after reading this. I like all the information you shared to help me grow them. I do have Daffodils planted and they are coming up in my flowerbed right now.
I’ve never planted these, not sure how well they would do in the Desert! The heat almost takes everything about half way through the summer! Maybe I’ll have to try and see!
Awesome!
this information gives me inspiration
These remind me of my favorite aunt who passed away a year ago. She planted these every year in her garden. They were always so beautiful.
I love when I see those come up in my yard in the Spring
I didnt know forcing was a thing…very cool to read about!
Thank you ❤️
I love Hyacinths. I have tons growing around my house. Mostly pinks and purple. I have never forced them indoors. I never have to worry about it being cold enough outside. Our corner is supposed to be hit hard by La Nina this year, so we are in for possibly record snow and very cold. Hopefully the Daffodils come up in the spring, because they are my favorite. They are my sunshine flowers.
I love forcing bulbs. I will have to do this again. A nice pick me up in the winter months too.
These are beautiful!! I would love to plant some and I really appreciate the tips and how-to.
These are beautiful Flowers
I tell myself year after year to do this. Ads such a lovely color to the house. I love the colors!
I had no idea you could force a bulb to bloom but the ones pictured are gorgeous. Great job.
Forcing bulbs makes such a pretty display in the depths of winter!
Thanks for the tips. I try every year to get my Amaryllis to re-bloom sometimes I am successful, most times not. The problem is not having a suitable place to keep them cold in. My garage, they would freeze solid so I keep them in our guest room that we keep the heat off in there. I think I would definitely consider running an extra refrigerator for this purpose. Would love to add hyacinths to that.
Beautiful! My favorite spring bulbs are tulips.
These are so beautiful! I’m going to try forcing bulbs next fall.
brilliant!
I love hyacinths
I live in Zone 11 and hyacinths won’t grow down here.
I totally agree,I love them
Love all flowers.
Very nice
I love these! Thanks for sharing!
I love hyacinths. They smell so nice.
Another very interesting thing to learn about these flowers. Good to know!