Categories: Gardening

Grow an Indoor Hyacinth the Old Fashioned Way

Are you looking for a way to brighten up your home this year? If so, you may want to consider growing an indoor hyacinth the old fashioned way. I learned how to do it from my grandmother. She would plant her indoor hyacinths inside special vases. Based on what I learned, it is not an overly complicated or labor intensive task to complete. It also produces pretty, fragrant flowers. Here’s how to do it:

Supplies Needed

In order to grow an indoor hyacinth, you will need a hyacinth vase, water, a hyacinth bulb, a pair of gardening gloves, and lumps of activated charcoal. You can generally purchase hyacinth bulbs through most major garden related retailers. The hyacinth vases, on the other hand, are often sold through antique stores and specialty shops. They are different from other flower vases in that they have a wide opening, a restricted neck, and a wide base. The restricted neck is designed to keep the hyacinth bulb in the proper position during its life cycle. Prices for the hyacinth vases will vary based on the retailer.

As far as the lump of activated charcoal goes, you will want to select a high grade one. You can typically purchase containers of it through pet stores that carry freshwater and saltwater aquarium supplies. On average, 7 ounces of activated charcoal will lighten your wallet by around $6.

Prepare the Hyacinth Vase

Once you have your supplies in one location, place a small lump of activated charcoal at the bottom of the hyacinth vase. The charcoal is designed to help keep the water clean. Next, start pouring water into the vase. You’ll want to stop pouring when the water level reaches the vase’s neck.

Add the Hyacinth Bulb

Keep going by donning your gardening gloves and grabbing your hyacinth bulb. Continue by placing the hyacinth bulb, pointed side up, into the top of the hyacinth vase. Ideally, just the roots of the bulb should be touching the water. Then place the jar in a cool and dark area of your home. My grandmother would always place her hyacinth vase in a little used cabinet.

Whichever area you choose to place your vase, leave it there until the hyacinth’s roots grow to be about 4 inches long. You’ll also want to look for shoots. When both conditions exist, remove the hyacinth vase from its hiding spot. Then place it in a warm and partially lit area of your home for 3 to 4 days. Afterward, move it to a more sunnier and permanent locale. Eventually it will flower. When the bloom dies off, remove the hyacinth from the vase. Then dispose of the bulb as desired.

Source: Personal Experience