What Your Hyacinths Need in March to Make Them Bloom Again (And Again)
Don't throw out your hyacinth bulbs once they have flowered
For many of us, hyacinths are a welcome sight after a long, dark winter. It's not just their beautiful colors, sweet scent and blousy blooms that lift our spirits, these early spring beauties signify lighter, brighter days. Many of us discard the bulbs after they have flowered, but it is possible to make them bloom again if you know what to do.
Often, the first hyacinths to appear are those we're growing indoors. From delft blue and deep purple to magenta pink and pale white, they make a charming display.
How to Make an Indoor Hyacinth Bulb Re-Bloom
Whichever hyacinth variety you've chosen, it's tempting to treat an indoor bulb like an annual and assume it will only flower once. Yet, it is possible that your hyacinth could re-bloom in future seasons.
'Getting forced bulbs to bloom again depends on how you treat them after they've flowered,' says Matt Mattus, Senior Director of Horticulture, American Horticultural Society.
'It’s not advisable to attempt to re-bloom hyacinth bulbs a second time indoors. However, most hyacinths will re-bloom easily outdoors in their second or third year.'
Matt Mattus has been involved with horticulture since he was a kid, working in his parent’s garden, and by age 12 he was entering the local horticultural society competitions. After a creative career in design, several books on gardening, and active membership of many plant societies, today Matt sits as the Senior Director of Horticulture for the American Horticultural Society (AHS) in Washington, DC-and gardens in Massachusetts.
1. Post Bloom Care
To encourage your bulbs to re-bloom there are some essential steps to take to increase their chances of success - and a couple of options. The first step however, is to carefully deadhead your hyacinth, once the flower spike has faded, but leave the foliage and continue to nurture the plant.
'In order for a bulb to form another flower bud internally, it needs the basics: fertilizer, water, and light,' explains Matt. 'Trying to fulfil these needs adequately on a windowsill can be challenging, so the sooner you can get growing bulbs outdoors, the better the odds of re-bloom.
'If the indoor bulbs still have green foliage after they have flowered, you’re halfway there - simply plant them out (if other bulbs in the garden are already growing). Otherwise, your best is to keep the bulb foliage green for as long as possible.
'I’d recommend a fertilizer intended for tomatoes (one low in nitrogen) at half strength every two weeks,' says Matt. 'Although, once the foliage begins to die, hold back on water and feed, and allow the bulbs to dry out in the soil.
This 1-3-1 fertilizer from Ace Hardware should do the trick. Just dilute it accordingly for your hyacinths.
'Allowing the leaves to turn yellow/brown and die naturally will help to ensure sugars from the leaves are being sent down into the bulb for the next growing cycle.' says Paris Lalicata, lead plant educator at The Sill.
'Once the leaves have died you can prune them off just above the bulb, but avoid puncturing the bulb.'
Ensure your scissors are up to scratch for snipping the spent blooms, and eventually the leaves, with this multi sharpener for garden hand tools from True Leaf Market.
Paris has been at The Sill for five years, where she leads plant education and community. A self-taught plant expert with over ten years of experience growing houseplants, Paris is currently working on becoming a certified sustainable gardener. She maintains an indoor garden of over 200 plants in the north-east (USA) and is passionate about making plant care more digestible for plant parents.
2. Planting Hyacinth Bulbs in Spring
If your hyacinth bulbs were growing in pots they can either be placed outside in their pots, or planted in your flower beds. Bulbs that were growing in vases with water can also be planted in soil outside.
'The soil will help keep the bulbs firm, whether you leave them sleeping in their pots outside, or plant them into your flower beds,' says Matt.
'If you follow these steps, you may get smaller blooms in the following year, and most likely you will get flowers in the second year.
'Most hyacinths will re-bloom easily outdoors in their second or third year, but if bulbs are forced too early in winter, the odds drop off dramatically because their post-care is challenged.'
3. Nurture the Plant and Store the Bulb
Another option is to store the bulbs and plant your hyacinths in the fall. This approach is recommended by Florence Smith, Horticulturalist, Missouri Botanical Gardens. The post-bloom care is the same whether you opt to plant your bulbs outside in the spring or store them to plant later.
'Should you want to keep your forced indoor hyacinth bulbs to use again, our best recommendation for getting the most life out of them is to transplant them outdoors in the fall,' says Florence.
'Bulbs are full of stored energy and nutrients, but indoor bulbs are forced to bloom prematurely, outside of the growing season, so forced bulbs exhaust their energy storage rapidly.
'This often causes the foliage to die early, preventing the bulb from storing enough energy for next spring's bloom. This is especially true of bulbs forced in water or gravel.'
Once the indoor Hyacinth has bloomed, Florence suggests continuing to care for it inside, providing adequate light, water, and fertilization, in order to keep the foliage alive for as long as possible.
This charming 48oz watering can from Lowe's makes light work of plant care.
'This is so that the bulb can prepare for another growing cycle,' says Florence. 'Once the blooms have faded, allow the foliage to yellow and die naturally before cutting it back and removing it for storage.
'Ensure the bulb is clean by brushing off any soil, before allowing it to dry for 1-2 weeks. The bulb should then be stored in a cool, dry place until mid to late fall, when it can be planted outside.
'This works best for bulbs forced in a soil medium, as they are not as weak and depleted as those grown in water. If successful, the bulb may take one to two seasons to recover before it blooms again.'
Florence Smith is a horticulturist at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri. With many years of experience and education, she provides expert advice on plants and gardening to visitors and the public.
4. How to Store the Bulbs
Knowing how to store bulbs correctly will increase their chances of success. As already outlined, a cold, dry place is best for bulb storage. However, avoid placing the bulbs in plastic bags, as these can attract moisture and your bulbs could rot.
'I like to store clean and dry bulbs in a cardboard box, mesh bag, or paper bag,' says Elizabeth Daniels, floral supervisor, Blackberry Mountain. 'It's also a good idea to wear gloves when handling them as Hyacinth can cause skin irritation.
'Prevent the bulbs from touching each other and store them in a dark spot with a consistent temperature of 40-50 degrees F (4-10 degrees celsius).
'Alternatively, you could store your bulbs in a potted container in soil. Wait for the foliage to turn brown and die back, then store the pot in a cool, dark, dry spot.'
These wet and dry latex gardening gloves from Lowe's will protect your hands from any potential irritation when handling the bulbs, while this decorative wall thermometer, also from Lowe's will alert you to any temperature fluctuations, whilst they're being stored.
Elizabeth Daniels is the Floral Supervisor, overseeing the floral team at Blackberry Mountain, an award-winning resort in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. With over 30 years of experience in horticulture Elizabeth uses her knowledge of native flowers each day bringing the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains indoors.
5. Replant the Bulb in the Fall
Most of us are accustomed to planting bulbs in fall, so when the time comes, don't forget to include your stored Hyacinths. It is highly likely hey may bloom smaller or skip a year.
If you can't wait that long and you'd like a pretty display next spring, include these multicolor hyacinth mixed bulbs in your fall planting.
'If you're moving bulbs outside, plant them between September to November, 2-4 weeks before the ground freezes,' advises Elizabeth.
'Replant them in a sunny to partially shaded spot with good drainage and space them 3-6" apart, 4-6" deep.
'If successful, the bulb may take one to two seasons to recover before it blooms again. This works best for bulbs forced in a soil medium, as they are not as weak and depleted as those grown in water.'
One of the many wonderful things about nature is that it makes us slow down, so be prepared for your hyacinth bulbs to lie dormant for the next season. If the conditions are right, the pretty blooms will be a pleasant surprise the spring after next.
'Even if these bulbs skip a year of blooming outdoors, most should return for at least two to three years in the garden. if you live in a climate where Dutch bulbs are common garden plants,' says Matt. 'In warmer climates you will have to start again with either chilling or pre-chilled bulbs.'
'Most hyacinths are cold-hardy to USDA hardiness zones 3-9, so it's best to check your local hardiness zone before planting them outside,' adds Florence.
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