Christmas hyacinth: how to force it and make it flower?

When to force your hyacinth bulbs?

Forcing a hyacinth to flower for the festive season isn’t something to improvise; you need to plan and attend to it several weeks before Christmas.

The ideal month to start forcing hyacinth bulbs is October, but you can still begin in early November.

Hyacinth bulbs

How to force a hyacinth bulb for Christmas?

To force a hyacinth bulb, it must undergo a period of cold in a place sheltered from light. At home, the vegetable drawer of the fridge is ideal.

In general, all hyacinth varieties can be forced but choose preferably compact varieties that will hold up better. Note that choice of hyacinth bulb is important, do not skimp on quality and opt for bulbs of good calibre (17+ minimum).

Forcing Christmas hyacinths at home

• At the start of October, place bulbs in pots filled with potting compost to about two-thirds of their height. Do not firm down to avoid roots developing by pushing the bulb out of the container instead of penetrating the compost. Simply place bulbs on substrate, making sure they are the right way up, with the shoot upwards and the roots downwards.
• Add sand on top of the compost, again without firming, up to the top edge of the container, to weight the bulbs down and prevent them contacting excess moisture. Water.
• Place bulbs in a cool, dark place (between 5 and 10°C), such as a cellar or in the vegetable drawer of the fridge, for several weeks until young shoots appear (they are yellow, this is normal!). This process takes about six weeks, depending on temperature. During this phase, keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged. You can steep pieces of charcoal for a few minutes in the watering water to prevent mould.

Forcing hyacinth bulbs

If you start a little late or prefer not to force bulbs yourself, you can perfectly well use already forced bulbs. This solution is of course simpler and quicker! Just plan to receive your forced bulbs at the end of November or early December, that will be more than sufficient

→  Discover our range of already forced bulbs, ready to flower

Planting hyacinths in pots or vases

Christmas is approaching, time to plant your hyacinth bulbs in pots.

When shoots of bulbs reach 10 cm if you force them yourself or upon receipt of your forced bulbs:

• place them alone or in groups of 3 or 5 in containers of your choice filled with horticultural potting compost (remember to put a layer of clay pebbles in the bottom for drainage), or use another material according to your preference.
• It is also possible to plant them individually in specific vases or carafes, which is very on-trend! Be careful, water must not be in contact with the bulb to avoid rotting. Finally, handle your bulbs carefully so as not to break the shoot, otherwise flowering may be prevented.

After planting,

• allow a one-week acclimation period by placing the pot indoors, first in a not-too-warm (about 18-19°C) and bright room, near a window without direct sun, for example. Warning: if you place hyacinth bulbs in a room that is too warm and not bright enough, the flower spike may become spindly.
• Remember to turn the pot regularly so hyacinths develop evenly.
• Water only when the substrate feels dry to the touch or top up the water level from time to time if your hyacinth is in a vase.

Finally, be patient: in 3 to 4 weeks, depending on room temperature, hyacinths will be in flower and will scent the home for the festive season!

What to do with hyacinth bulbs after the holidays?

Forced hyacinth bulbs have exhausted their reserves. You can replant them in the garden, but be aware they will not flower the following year. It will take two to three years in open ground for them to regain vigour.

Further reading

• Find our advice sheet: Planting hyacinths: our tips for planting them in the garden or in pots
• Discover ideas for combining hyacinths in the garden, in pots or in bouquets