How to Plant Hyacinth Bulbs

When to plant:

For the best blooms, plant hyacinth bulbs between September and November. Hyacinths are fully hardy bulbs and thrive outdoors through winter.  If you can’t get them into the ground right away, keep them in a cool, dry, and rodent-proof spot until planting. Avoid waiting too long—by December bulbs can start to lose quality, and they won’t store until the following year.

Where to plant:

Hyacinths are versatile and can be planted directly into garden borders, flower
beds, or patio containers. Their vibrant colors and strong fragrance make them
ideal for adding early spring impact near entrances, pathways, or seating
areas.

Soil preparation:

Hyacinths prefer well-drained soil. If your garden soil is heavy or clay-based,
improve it by mixing in compost and grit or coarse sand to help drainage.

How to plant:

• Plant bulbs 10–15 cm deep, always with the pointed tip facing upward and the wiry roots pointing down.
• Space bulbs about 5–10 cm apart, depending on how dense you’d like the display.
• Cover with soil and water well so that the soil above the bulb settles. During winter, hyacinths rarely need extra water unless the weather is very mild and dry. In spring, water only during prolonged dry spells to support flowering.

Aftercare:

Leave hyacinth bulbs in the ground year after year, where they will flower
reliably each spring. Once the blooms fade, remove the spent flower stalks but
allow the leaves to remain until they yellow and wither naturally—this helps
replenish the bulb for next year’s flowers. For containers, you can either
replant the bulbs into borders after flowering or refresh the compost and keep
them in pots for the following year.