How to Grow and Care for Hyacinths Inside Your Home

Hyacinth is the common name for Hyacinthus orientalis, a species of a bulb-borne flowering perennial native to parts of the Middle East. It is widely grown in gardens for its fragrant, showy flower spikes, but the plants prove difficult to grow in areas with warm winters since they require cold winter temperatures to bloom. Growing hyacinths indoors under controlled conditions allows gardeners in warm areas to successfully cultivate the species since they are able to prompt flowering by exposing the bulbs to artificially cold temperatures. Once established indoors, hyacinths grow vigorously and require little care apart from occasional watering.

Coir
Potting soil
Coarse sand
7-inch plastic pot

Instructions

- 1
  Pot hyacinth bulbs for indoor growing anytime between late September and early December. Plant in September for December blooming and later for springtime blooming.
- 2
  Mix equal measures shredded coir, potting soil and coarse sand. Fill the bottom half of a 7-inch plastic pot with the mixture.
- 3
  Arrange three or four bulbs on the soil with the pointed end pointing upward. Fill in around the bulbs with loosened soil mixture until the bulb is buried, with the top quarter remaining exposed.
- 4
  Water the hyacinth bulbs with 3 cups of water to saturate the soil. Let the excess water drain away for five or 10 minutes before proceeding with the cold treatment.
- 5
  Place the pot inside a refrigerator set to 35-to-40 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 weeks. Keep the soil moist but not soggy during the cold treatment.
- 6
  Move the pot from the refrigerator to a warm, bright room where temperatures stay around 60. Place the pot near a large window where it will receive plenty of direct sunlight.
- 7
  Water the hyacinth with 1/2 cup of water whenever the surface of the soil feels dry when pressed. Use lukewarm water on the bulbs.
- 8
  Move the pot out of direct sunlight as soon as the flower buds begin to crack. Avoid direct sun exposure once the plants are blooming to make the flowers last longer.
- 9
  Remove the hyacinth bulbs from their pot once they finish blooming. Plant them out in a garden bed to replenish their nutrient stores.

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