Plant guide

Hyacinth.

Hyacinthus orientalis

Pronounced hy-uh-SIN-thus or-ee-en-TAY-liss

Also known as Common Hyacinth, Garden hyacinth, Hyacinth, Wild Hyacinth

Hyacinths are beloved spring bulbs that produce dense, fragrant clusters of star shaped flowers. They are perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden or brightening up your home in late winter. These plants are grown from bulbs and typically go dormant after their blooming season.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 12 inches
Growth rate: Medium

Care

Plant your bulbs in well draining soil and keep them cool until they start to sprout. Watch for yellowing leaves after blooming, which signals the plant is storing energy for next year. Avoid overwatering to prevent the bulb from rotting in the soil.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy while the plant is actively growing.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once growth appears in early spring.
Pruning: Trim off the spent flower stalks once they fade, but leave the foliage until it turns yellow.
Repotting: Bulbs are typically planted fresh each season or moved to the garden after indoor blooming.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Safety

Pets: The bulbs contain calcium oxalate crystals which can cause significant irritation if ingested by cats or dogs.

How to identify it

Dense spikes of fragrant flowers
Star shaped individual florets
Strap like fleshy green leaves
Grows from a large bulb

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Hyacinthus
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your hyacinth looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.