Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are fragrant, easy-to-grow spring bulbs. They flower in a range of colours, from traditional purple and pink to white, and even mauve. Hyacinths look great in front of garden borders in the spring, or you can put them in pots near the house for a fragrant splash of color. Hyacinths can also be forced for indoor Christmas displays.
Learn more about hyacinths and how to grow, plant and care for them in our guide, below.
Growing Vibrant Hyacinth Bulbs in Glass Vases
Hyacinth bulbs are a classic way to bring spring indoors. Their colorful, fragrant blooms and ease of care make them a popular choice for forcing indoors in glass vases. Follow these tips to successfully grow hyacinths in glass and enjoy their beauty and aroma for weeks.
Choosing the Right Bulbs
Not all hyacinth bulbs are created equal when it comes to forcing in glass vases. Look for top size bulbs that are firm and have no signs of mold or damage. The bulb’s nose should be rounded, not pointed or flattened. Size 12-14 cm bulbs tend to produce the largest blooms and work best for forcing. Popular easy-to-force varieties include Delft Blue, Carnegie, Jan Bos and City of Haarlem.
Pre-Chilling Bulbs
An essential step for successfully forcing hyacinths in glass is pre-chilling the bulbs. This mimics winter conditions and encourages uniform blooming. Place bulbs in the refrigerator in a paper bag for 10-12 weeks. Ideal pre-chill temperatures are 35-45° F. Check bulbs occasionally and remove any that show signs of mold or rotting.
Choosing the Right Vase
Look for a glass vase that suits the number of bulbs you want to force. For one bulb, use a narrow mouth vase. Wider mouth vases allow for multiple bulbs. Make sure the vase is deep enough so water covers the bulb’s basal plate. Vases designed specifically for forcing bulbs often work best. Clear glass shows off the roots as they grow.
Planting the Bulbs
Once pre-chilled, bulbs are ready for planting in the glass vase. Use room temperature water and add bulb fertilizer or grow crystals as directed on the package. Gently place bulbs basal plate down in the vase and add pebbles or marbles to anchor them. The bulb tops should remain above water level.
Caring for Bulbs
Keep vases in a cool, bright spot out of direct sunlight. Top off water as needed to cover basal plates. Watch for roots to develop and shoots/leaves to emerge. As flower buds form, move to a slightly warmer area with indirect light. Rotate the vase to encourage even growth and blooming. Remove faded blooms to allow new ones to form.
Extending Bloom Time
To maximize enjoyment, plant successive rounds of bulbs at 2-3 week intervals. This provides a longer season of continuous blooms. Combining early, mid and late-blooming varieties also lengthens the display. Popular succession varieties include Anna Marie, Delft Blue and Jan Bos.
Aftercare and Reblooming
Once hyacinths finish blooming, cut off faded flower stalks but leave the foliage. Place the vase outside in a sheltered spot and let the leaves die back naturally. In early fall, plant the bulbs in the garden to rebloom the following spring. Mark the spots where bulbs are planted to help avoid disturbing them when adding other plants or bulbs nearby.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
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Leaves but no flowers – Bulbs may not have been chilled long enough. Try a longer chill period next year.
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Flowers but no leaves – Bulbs were over-chilled or kept too cold after planting. Aim for 35-45°F pre-chill.
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Leggy growth – Not enough sunlight. Slowly introduce to brighter light.
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Wilting – Vase water level too low. Top off water to cover basal plate.
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Moldy bulbs – Toss any bulbs showing mold or rotting. Start with new, healthy bulbs.
Bringing Beautiful Blooms Indoors
With proper selection, pre-chilling, planting, and care, hyacinth bulbs can produce an abundance of colorful, fragrant flowers indoors in glass vases. Follow these tips for the best results. The delight of watching the growing roots and unfolding blooms will brighten up any room.
Tips for Growing Hyacinth Bulbs in Glass Vases:
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Choose large, firm, top size bulbs recommended for forcing.
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Pre-chill bulbs for 10-12 weeks at 35-45°F before planting.
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Use a glass vase that fits your bulb number and has enough water depth.
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Add bulb fertilizer or crystals to the water as directed.
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Anchor bulbs in vase with pebbles – keep bulb tops above water.
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Provide bright, indirect light and rotate vase for even growth.
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Top off water level as needed to cover basal plates.
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Enjoy successive rounds of blooms by staggering planting times.
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After blooming, plant bulbs outside in fall to rebloom.
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Discard any bulbs with signs of mold, rotting, or damage.
With the right techniques, hyacinth vase gardens provide effortless beauty indoors. The sweet aromas and colorful blooms are a breath of spring.
How to plant hyacinths indoors
Hyacinths make fantastic, fragrant Christmas displays. To get the best results, buy bulbs that have been “prepared” or heat-treated. These bulbs don’t need to be forced for as long to get early flowers. You don’t have to plant hyacinths as deeply inside as you would in the ground or in pots outside.
Simply place the bulbs on a 5cm layer of compost, so they’re close together but not touching. Fill compost around them so the top of each bulb is visible. Water lightly to moisten the compost. Cover them and put them somewhere dark and cool for about 10 weeks, or until shoots appear. Then, move them to a light, airy place to make the flowers grow.
Where to grow hyacinths
Along with other spring bulbs like tulips and grape hyacinths (muscari), hyacinths look great at the front of flower beds. Their small size makes them ideal for spring pot displays.
In the house, grow hyacinths in a bright, airy spot, ideally with plenty of sunshine.
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FAQ
How do you care for a hyacinth in a glass vase?
How do you force hyacinths in a glass vase?
How do you grow hyacinths in a glass jar?
Can Hyacinth Bulbs be planted in a vase?
Planting hyacinth bulbs in a bulb vase is a relatively easy task, and it’s sure to bring you fragrant blooms in no time. To care for a hyacinth in a vase, follow these tips: Water the plant regularly, making sure to keep the base of the stem submerged in water. Check the water level daily and refill the vase as needed.
How do you grow Hyacinth on glass?
Hyacinth on Glass Growing Instructions: 1. Fill the vase with water to just below the bulb. Water should not touch the bottom of the bulb. 2. Place your bulb in a hyacinth or bulb vase so that it sits in the neck. Do not force it down into the vase. 3. Place the vase in a cool (5-10 ºC/ 40-50 F), dark and ventilated spot.
How do you grow Hyacinth in a vase?
Fill the forcing vase to just below the cup where the bulb will rest. The bulb will reach for the water. Place the hyacinth bulb in the cup—root end down—and growing end up (you might already see a tiny green sprout) so the base is just touching the water.
What is a hyacinth bulb vase?
Bulb vases, also called forcing jars, are the perfect shape for forcing bulbs; they are designed with a narrow neck that holds the bulb above water, and a wide base that allows the roots to dangle and grow in the water. The wide base of bulb vases will allow your hyacinth to fully bloom without knocking over the vase.
How long do Hyacinth Bulbs take to flower?
Place the Hyacinths in a cool but bright spot. You will need to top up the water in the vase as it is used up. Do not place them near a heat source such as a radiator. Once brought inside the Hyacinths will take about 3 weeks to flower. Fun Gardening Projects – How to Grow Prepared Hyacinth Bulbs in Glass Bulb Vases for Christmas Flowering.
How do I choose a hyacinth bulb?
Choose your Hyacinth bulbs. They should be small enough to fit inside the neck of your bulb vase. These are Woodstock, which will have a Maroon-Red flower. Two different glass bulb vases. The top half of the vase is for holding the bulb above the bottom water filled section. Bulb vases come in a variety of colours. Get hold of some charcoal.