Everything you need to know about Hyacinth

There are many bulbous plants incorporated into the gardens and interiors of the home, whose presence provides a dazzling beauty and aroma that invite you to relax. Wild hyacinths are a good example of this type of species, characterized by being a variety that is easy to grow on land or in water at any time of the year.

Hyacinthus Orientalis, commonly known as Hyacinth, is a plant that originates from southern Africa , whose name means «the joy of the heart» or «constancy», according to botanists and the language given to flowers.

It is a species belonging to the Liliaceae family and Asparagaceae subfamily, which has perennial foliage , that is, it always maintains its greenness. For its part, the leaves are straight, fleshy and are born in a rosette formation. In addition, the height of the plant does not exceed 30 centimeters high.

Another peculiarity of the species is its enveloping and soft scent, emitted by the hyacinth flower, which will aromatize the garden, the living room, bedroom or any room in the home where you decide to incorporate the plant which, by the way, is suitable for exteriors and interiors. This last aspect is due to the small size reached by the hyacinth, which allows it to be planted outdoors, in small pots or in a bottle of water.

Also, it is convenient to comment on the color of the hyacinth, which can be pink, white, blue, purple, red, yellow and orange. In this sense, it is important to bear in mind that the hue appreciated in the bulb will be that acquired by the flower.

The hyacinth is a flower of great popularity throughout the world, used to aromatize, decorate spaces and to create beautiful floral bouquets, in combination with other species. Also, this plant can be used as a phytoremediator , because it has the ability to remove heavy metals from the soil and promote healthy growth.

Step by step to grow a hyacinth plant

Planting hyacinths can be a simple and fun task. Of course, if you are one of the people passionate about the world of plants. Next, we present the step by step to grow hyacinths in the soil, pot and water.

On the floor

To start the hyacinth sowing process in the ground, the conditions of the surface must be analyzed, that is, that it has good drainage, since this species does not grow in soils with a high percentage of humidity.

The next step is to dig a hole in the ground, whose spacious format must be adapted to the size of the bulb to be planted. It is recommended that the hole be 10 centimeters deep and no less than 7 centimeters wide. In this way, the plant will develop correctly and will remain protected from the cold temperature, characteristic of the winter season.

Next, the bulbs must be inserted into the holes, being careful that the pointed section is directed outwards, since the plant grows from this area. Then, fill the hole with soil and some substrate or fertilizer. In this way, a series of nutrients will be provided to the plant.

Once the plants have been planted, they will require immediate watering, but remember that it is only a matter of moistening the soil a little without soaking it.

potted

Planting potted hyacinth bulbs is also a process known as «forcing» or «indoor growing.» In any case, it is a technique with a few steps, starting with the selection of the container or pot. Remember that the only requirement for this structure is that it must have a series of small holes at the base, responsible for filtering water.

Then, fill the pot with approximately four centimeters of soil and place the bulbs trying, as far as possible, to attach them to said surface. Thus, you can fill the pot with soil and substrate, but do not forget to leave the tip of the plant uncovered.

The following days you will have to be attentive, since when the leaves grow, the hyacinth should be placed in a place where it can be in contact with the sun’s rays, but keeping a room temperature no higher than 10°C.

in water

The cultivation of hyacinths in water is known as hydro-cultivation and it is a simple technique that will allow you to enjoy a beautiful bloom at home . Only the selected bulbs should be placed in a synthetic bag and then placed in the refrigerator at a temperature of 5°C for a period of six weeks.

You must acquire a hyacinth, which is a special vase for growing this type of species. Then, pour water into the container and place the bulb without it being completely submerged. After the passage of a few days, the sprout will begin to grow, reaching an average of 10 centimeters. After this time, the vase should be placed in a sunlit area so that flowering begins gradually.

Hyacinth: Basic care

In terms of care, the hyacinth requires attention from the planting period, since it is necessary to achieve a correct level of humidity in the soil , which is essential for the bulb to sprout. Similarly, during the development of the species, a watering routine must be established, which will favor flowering.

Similarly, when wondering when to plant hyacinths, keep in mind that if you plan to do it outdoors, then spring and autumn are the right seasons, while a forced or water culture is ideal in winter.

On the other hand, the collection of the species in a cool space with little exposure to sunlight is highly recommended, so that the flower does not open abruptly and, therefore, has a slightly longer life.

When it comes to hyacinth, the care to be taken into consideration for its healthy growth is simple to execute. It is only necessary to document yourself a little and put into practice what you have learned, to start cultivating this species.