My Hyacinths Are Leaning in the Pot

Proper Bulb Care

• Bulbs are generally hardy, but they are also living plant tissue and need to be handled with care. Bulbs that are dropped or damaged by rough handling may result in weak plants or may not flower at all. Prior to planting, inspect your bulbs for soft spots, cuts or any wounds that might affect proper growth.

Bulb Rot

• Soft, leaning stems on a hyacinth could be the result of bulb rot. Injury incurred prior to planting can let in fungi that cause rotting. Rotting can spread to stems or can prevent growth entirely. Overwatering can also cause bulbs to rot. Keep your hyacinth in soil that is moist but not soggy. Allow the top 1/2 inch of soil to dry between waterings.

Proper Light

• Hyacinths do best with indirect light. They do need some light, though, and keeping them entirely out of the sun causes problems. Plants that don't get the light they need can become leggy with long, weak stems. A hyacinth's flowerhead is extremely heavy, and a weak, leggy stem may not be able to hold it up. Offer your flower heads some support with a small wooden stake.

Fertilizer and Soil

• Too much or too little fertilizer often cause problems in potted flowering plants. Too much fertilizer can cause bulbs to rot, or can build up in the pot, potentially causing damage to the plant. Hyacinths are generally potted in loose potting soil. If the potting medium is too loose, or if there is not enough potting medium to support the heavy flower heads, they may lean.