Hyacinth Plant Care

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Hyacinthus genus. Hyacinth is native to Southwestern Asia, Southern and Central Turkey, Northwestern Syria, Lebanon, Northern Israel. Hyacinth is also known as Common Hyacinth, Garden Hyacinth, Dutch Hyacinth.

Hyacinth displays an upright, clump-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.3 ft. Hyacinth produces vibrant and fragrant cluster of bell-shaped blooms in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hyacinth every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Hyacinth thrives in full sun.

Hyacinthus orientalis tolerates temperatures of 50–70°F. Hyacinth prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

well-draining, loamy soil. Good drainage is essential for Hyacinth to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hyacinth every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining, loamy soil. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hyacinth is suited to USDA Zone 4 – 8.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Hyacinth can spread to about 0 ft (0.1 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 0 ft (0.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Hyacinth while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Hyacinth is hardy down to USDA zone 4, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Hyacinth can be propagated through division of bulbs or offsets.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Hyacinth is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Hyacinth grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4 – 8. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Hyacinth is native to Southwestern Asia, Southern and Central Turkey, Northwestern Syria, Lebanon, Northern Israel.