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Flower profile

Hyacinth

Quick facts

Botanical name: Hyacinthus orientalis. In SAF's language of flowers, hyacinth means sincerity.

Pink potted hyacinth spikes, close-up
Photo: Lafayette Florist & Greenhouses

Hyacinth at a glance

Meaning
sincerity
Colors
  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Pink
  • White
  • Yellow
  • Red
  • Orange
Season
Mid-spring outdoors (April-May); forced pots from January.
Special care
Buy spikes with the lower florets open and the top still in bud. Leave the white bulb base on the stem if present; it helps the flower drink. Keep cool - cool nights make forced hyacinths last longer.
Size
A spring bulb with a dense spike of small, star-shaped, intensely fragrant flowers on a stem 8 to 12 inches tall
Also called
Dutch hyacinth, Garden hyacinth

Pet safety

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses; bulbs are the most toxic part and can irritate skin.

About hyacinths

A spring bulb with a dense spike of small, star-shaped, intensely fragrant flowers on a stem 8 to 12 inches tall. Sold as a forced potted bulb in late winter and as a cut flower.

How to make hyacinths last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For hyacinths. Buy spikes with the lower florets open and the top still in bud. Leave the white bulb base on the stem if present; it helps the flower drink. Keep cool - cool nights make forced hyacinths last longer.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Hyacinths as a potted plant

Forced bulb: bright, cool spot; keep soil or water just touching the bulb base; blooms about two weeks; wear gloves, the bulbs irritate skin.

Questions about hyacinths

What does the hyacinth mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the hyacinth stands for "sincerity".

What colors do hyacinths come in?

Hyacinths come in blue, purple, pink, white, yellow, red and orange.

How do you care for hyacinths?

Keep hyacinths cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For hyacinths: Buy spikes with the lower florets open and the top still in bud. Leave the white bulb base on the stem if present; it helps the flower drink. Keep cool - cool nights make forced hyacinths last longer.

Are hyacinths safe around pets?

Toxic to dogs, cats and horses; bulbs are the most toxic part and can irritate skin.

Where can I buy hyacinths?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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