How to Grow a Hyacinth Bulb in Water

Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH

Last Updated: September 29, 2024 Approved

Growing hyacinths in water (sometimes called forcing hyacinths) is a beautiful way to bring a touch of color and a gorgeous scent to your home. Although it's a somewhat lengthy process, growing the bulbs in water can help your hyacinth blooms last for weeks. Hyacinth bulbs produce fragrant blooms, ranging in color from light pinks to deep purples. Bulb vases, also known as hyacinth vases or forcing jars, hold the hyacinth bulb above water while giving the roots access to the space and water they need to grow.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Pre-Cooling Your Hyacinth Bulb

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Hyacinth bulbs are typically sold in bundles of 3, and there are often deals when you buy multiple bundles at once. Bundles of hyacinth bulbs that are not pre-chilled usually cost $5-$7. Bundles of hyacinth bulbs that are pre chilled usually cost $12-$15.
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Cool your hyacinth bulbs before planting them. All hyacinths need a cooling period of 12-14 weeks to develop an adequate root system, otherwise they will not properly grow. If you cannot find pre-chilled hyacinth bulbs, this step is absolutely vital.
- Store your bulbs in a dark area with temperatures between 35-45º Fahrenheit. Great examples of these locations include fridges, outdoor sheds, garages, or even potted damp sand.
- Be careful when storing your bulbs in the fridge. Certain fruits produce ethylene gas that will cause your hyacinth bulbs to rot and/or become sterile. If you decide to cool your bulbs in the fridge, don’t place any fruit in the fridge during the cooling process.
- Don’t expose bulbs to freezing temperatures, otherwise they will become damaged.
- Wear gloves when handling hyacinth bulbs, as they can cause a skin irritation.^{[1]
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Purchase pre-chilled hyacinth bulbs to speed up the process. Most floral and garden shops sell pre-chilled hyacinth bulbs, so be sure to ask for them when you're shopping. Buying pre-chilled bulbs will speed up your hyacinth growing process by 8-12 weeks.
- Pre-chilled hyacinth bulbs can sometimes be a bit more expensive than the non-chilled bulbs, but the time they'll save you will be well with the extra cost.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Planting the Hyacinth Bulb

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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.^{[2]
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Add water to the container. Fill your container with enough water so that it is up to, but not touching, the bottom of the hyacinth bulb. Leave 1/4″ between the water and the base of the bulb, as bulbs sitting in water are prone to rot. Using forcing jars are ideal because they are cinched at the waist and allow the bulbs to sit nicely above the water.^{[3]
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- You can also add a tablespoon (15 milliliters) of aquarium charcoal in the water to keep it clean and clear.
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Place your bulb in the container. Set your bulb on top of the cinched neck of your vase, with the root end facing down. Make sure that your bulb is sitting just above the water, but that no water is actually touching it. Its roots will slowly grow into water in the base of the vase, and the hyacinth will slowly begin to bloom.^{[4]
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- If you would like to grow your bulb and use it again next year, plant it in a potting mix instead of water. Bulbs forced this way in water will not bloom again next year, but those planted in soil may.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Blooming the Hyacinth

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1
Choose a cool, dark place for your bulb. Place the hyacinth bulb and vase in a cool and dark area (40-55º F), such as your garage or refrigerator. Keep cool for roughly 4 weeks, or until the hyacinth's root system has developed in the water of the jar and growth from the top of the bulb has begun.
- As previously mentioned, do not store your hyacinths in a refrigerator with fruits. The gas from fruits will damage your hyacinth's growth.^{[5]
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- Change the container's water twice per week. Keeping fresh water in your vase will help your hyacinth to bloom fully and beautifully.^{[6]
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Your hyacinth needs to be transferred to a warmer, somewhat brighter place (50-60º F) once it is ready. You'll know the hyacinth is ready to be moved once the foliage has grown to be about 2 inches tall and the root system has extended to the bottom of the vase. Keep the bulbs in this location for about a week, or until its shoots have turned green.^{[7]
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Place your hyacinth in a brighter spot to help it fully bloom. Move the hyacinth plant to a warmer location (roughly 65º F) so that it will fully bloom. Hyacinths reach toward sunlight, so turn your vase daily to prevent the plant from leaning in one direction. After 2 weeks or so, your hyacinths will be fully fragrant and bloomed, and should last for another 2 weeks before they begin to wilt.^{[8]
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- Although you want to move the hyacinth to a brighter location, avoid direct sunlight.
- To make your bloom last longer, place your hyacinth plant in the refrigerator at night.
- Enjoy the fragrance of the plant. Once the hyacinth flowers have bloomed, their scent will be beautiful.
- Throw out the bulbs once the hyacinth has died. Water forcing uses all of the energy that bulbs have to offer, and the bulbs will be too weak to re-bloom. You'll have to get more bulbs to grow more hyacinths.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I keep my hyacinth bulb for next year?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

If you want to keep the bulb for next year, grow it in soil instead of in water. You can use the same basic process, but planting in soil allows the hyacinth to store energy for next year.

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Question

Should I keep the water full in my hyacinth bulb container?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

Keep the water filled up just to the bottom of the hyacinth bulb, but not covering it.

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How long with a hyacinth live and produce flowers?

Community Answer

Hyacinths are perennials in Hardiness zones 5-9. After about 2 years, the bulb will begin to divide itself into more bulbs. The smaller bulbs it produces are bulblet, and they are like its children.

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