🌸 Hyacinth: Growing Guide
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at −20 to 22 °C (−4 to 72 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart. Expect 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Hyacinthus orientalis |
|---|---|
| Category | Bulbs |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −20 to 22 °C (−4 to 72 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Height | 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | |||||||||
| Continental | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | |||||||||
| Subtropical | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | |||||||||
| Cold / Northern | Harvest | Plant out | ||||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Harvest | Plant out |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Oct–Nov · Harvest: Mar.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Apr.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Mar.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Oct–Nov · Harvest: Mar.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Oct · Harvest: May.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Oct · Harvest: Mar.
Watering
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Reduce after flowering.
Growing tips
Strong fragrance! Blue, pink and white. Plant in autumn. Can be forced indoors in a jar.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Hyacinth: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Oct–Nov · Harvest: Mar. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Apr. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Mar.
Hyacinth: how often should I water it?
Water about every 4 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Reduce after flowering.
Hyacinth: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 10 cm (3.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 10 cm (3.9 in).
Hyacinth: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 120+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Hyacinth: which plants grow well with it?
Tulip, Daffodil.
Plan your garden
Add Hyacinth to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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