Hyacinths are magnificent early bloomers that can also be grown indoors. Find out everything about hyacinth species, propagation and planting here.
Hyacinths are one of the classic spring flowers and herald the end of winter with their magnificently coloured, large inflorescences and strong fragrance. We will introduce you to the onion plant and give tips on choosing a variety and planting.
Hyacinth: flowering time, appearance and meaning
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus) belong to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). In Greek mythology, the grieving sun god Apollo created the fragrant flowering plant from the blood of Hyakinthos, who was accidentally killed by his discus throw. All types of hyacinths come from the Orient and are found wild in Turkey, Iran and as far as Israel.
In spring, the hardy bulbous plants sprout long, lanceolate, dark green leaves and a single flower stalk, which is covered with numerous individual flowers. The flowers have no calyx, they are composed of six colored petals. Hyacinths come in all shades of color from pink, red and yellow to deep blue and violet tones. When they bloom between March and May, the early bloomers give off a heavily perfumed, sweet fragrance that attracts numerous bees and other insects. After flowering, numerous round seeds form in pods that open at maturity. In the summer, the hyacinth plant retreats into its bulb and survives in the ground until the following spring. In the language of flowers, hyacinths symbolize sincerity, love, beauty and happiness, which is why they are popular gifts.
The colorful variety of hyacinth species and varieties
The genus Hyacinthus comprises three species, with only the garden hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) being cultivated and processed in breeding. The wild hyacinth Hyacinthus transcaspicus is rarely found in rarity nurseries. We present you the most beautiful ones belowvarieties of garden hyacinth.
- ‘Blue Pearl’: Deep violet flowering hyacinths with bright accents. A rather short cultivar, 25 cm tall.
- ‘Blue Star’: Plain blue hyacinth up to 25 cm tall. The variety is very suitable for forcing indoors.
- ‘Jan Bos’: Bright pink hyacinth with light red markings on the petals. It reaches a height of 20 to 40 cm.
- 'Midnight Mystic': Nearly black hyacinth with dark flower stalks and dark green foliage. It stays low and grows to about 20 cm in height. The extremely dark color is only achieved outdoors in direct sunlight.
- ‘Odysseus’: Attractive, orange-yellow flamed hyacinth growing up to 40 cm tall. The fragrant flowers attract numerous insects between April and May.
- ‘Pink Pearl’: Pink hyacinth variety with a growth height of up to 25 cm. The large, fragrant flowers are easy to grow indoors.
- ‘Royal Navy’: Rare, double, dark blue-violet hyacinth variety with a growth height of about 20 cm and a pleasant fragrance.
- ‘White Pearl’: White hyacinth variety with a low stature. The small hyacinth grows 15 to 25 cm high. It is easy to trim and has a perfumed scent.
- 'Woodstock': Hyacinth with deep red flowers. The variety was created in 1922 and reaches a height of 20 to 30 cm. The red hyacinth is well suited for planting in pots and window boxes.
- ‘Yellow Queen’: Light, yellow hyacinth with a growth height of up to 40 cm. The plants have numerous flowers and bloom between April and May.
Planting hyacinths: bulbs, location and Co.
Hyacinths are easy-care early bloomers that can be placed in beds or planters. Whether in pots or in the garden, the ideal location for hyacinths is sunny to semi-shady on nutrient-rich, humus-rich and loose soil.
Planting hyacinths in pots
Hyacinths are ideal for planting in pots and window boxes. They are hardy down to -15 °C and can therefore withstand the winter with only a little protection, such as an insulating layer made of jute or fleecespend outdoors. The planter should have good water drainage to avoid waterlogging. A drainage layer of sand, gravel or expanded clay at the bottom of the planter prevents the root and bulb from getting wet and rotting. In order to keep hyacinths in a pot for a long time, it is important to ensure a planting distance of at least 10 cm. A high-quality potting soil, such as our Plantura organic potting soil, has a loose structure and at the same time stores sufficient moisture for the bulbs of the early bloomers. In the spring, plant the bulbs deep enough in the potting soil that the bulb is completely covered. Water properly and place the planter outside.
If you want to keep your hyacinth indoors as a potted plant all year round, it needs to be kept cool and dark for a period of time to simulate winter. First place the hyacinth only superficially in a pot with soil, most of the bulb sticking out. Pour vigorously once and then place the pot in a cool and dark place. After about eight weeks, it will become apparent that the hyacinth is forming a flowering shoot. Now bring the pot and hyacinth back into the house and leave them in a light and cool place for a few more days. Then she can be put in a warm room.
Planting hyacinths in the garden
The best time to plant hyacinths outdoors is in autumn or early spring. They are preferably placed in small groups of three to five plants. The planting distance for free-standing hyacinth bulbs in the garden is about 15 to 20 cm. First, loosen the soil and work in some compost or a predominantly organic long-term fertilizer - such as our Plantura organic flower fertilizer - to ensure the nutrient supply in the long term. Soil that is too heavy can be improved with sand or bentonite. The planting depth for hyacinth bulbs is about 10 to 15 cm. First, a deep hole is dug with a hand shovel. Put the hyacinth bulb in with the shoot upwards and fill the planting hole with soil. Once you water, the soil will wash right up to the roots, encouraging growth.
Prepare hyacinth in a jar: This is how it works
Hyacinths can also be cultivated as a living decoration for a short time in a shapely glass with water. Here, too, the bulbs have to be stored in the cold for a few weeks for flowering. Note that only the roots -but not the onion itself - have contact with the water. There is a special hyacinth glass for this, but in principle other glasses with a similar shape are also suitable. The water should be renewed every few days. After flowering, the bulbs are best placed in a container with soil or in the bed so that the plant has access to nutrients.
Note: Wax hyacinths are always on sale in stores. The onion is completely covered with colorful wax. For some time, the hyacinth survives without water and nutrients and even blooms because it can fall back on the reserves in the bulb. In the long run, however, the air and watertight wax does not allow the bulb to breathe or root. The hyacinth does not survive long and therefore cannot be planted.
Propagation of bulb flowers
In order to propagate hyacinths, the easiest way is to separate the often numerous, varietal bulbs from the mother plant and transplant them. However, the young hyacinth bulbs need a longer cold spell to sprout next year. Detach the bulbs in autumn and store them in a cool place over the winter. Tuck the roots in damp sand to prevent them from drying out completely. The onion itself should remain dry. Plant the bulbs in a suitable location or in a pot in early spring.
Are hyacinths poisonous?
All parts of the hyacinth plant are slightly poisonous and excessive consumption can cause vomiting, nausea and other gastrointestinal disorders. As a precaution, hyacinths should therefore be kept out of the reach of pets and children. Hyacinths can also cause skin irritation when touched by sensitive people. It is therefore advisable to always wear gloves when potting and handling.
The undemanding early bloomers require little attention, but there are a few points to consider in order to obtain long-lived and flowering plants. We'll show you what to look out for when caring for hyacinths.