After hyacinth bulbs finish flowering, the key steps depend on whether they are planted outdoors or grown in containers or indoors.
For Outdoor Hyacinth Bulbs
- Remove the faded flower spike to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production; this helps the bulb store energy for next year’s bloom
- Allow the leaves to die back naturally without cutting them too early, as the foliage photosynthesizes and replenishes the bulb’s energy reserves
- Once the foliage has yellowed and withered, you can lift the bulbs from the soil, discard any damaged ones, and store them in a cool, dry, dark place until fall planting
- Alternatively, you can leave the bulbs in the ground if the conditions are suitable, and they will typically bloom again next spring
For Hyacinth Bulbs in Containers or Indoors
- After flowering, remove the flower stalk but keep the leaves intact to allow the bulb to photosynthesize and restore energy
- Place the pot in a partly sunny location and water moderately when the soil feels dry, avoiding overwatering to prevent bulb rot
- When the leaves die back, either leave the bulbs in the pot with good drainage and slightly moist soil in a cool, dark place (like an unheated garage) or lift and store the bulbs in a cool, dark, dry place until replanting
- Forced hyacinth bulbs grown indoors are less likely to bloom again and are often best discarded after flowering
Summary
- Remove spent flower spikes.
- Let leaves die back naturally to feed the bulb.
- Store bulbs in a cool, dry, dark place if lifting them.
- For container bulbs, maintain moderate watering and light until dormancy.
- Forced indoor bulbs usually do not rebloom and can be composted.
Following these steps will help your hyacinth bulbs bloom again next spring
