What soil does Hyacinth grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Hyacinth flower?

Flowering: March–May, blue, purple, pink, red, white, yellow, orange.

How much water does Hyacinth need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Hyacinth

Hyacinthus orientalis

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is a perennial. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs, cats and children.

Illustration of Hyacinth — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A spring bulb with dense, waxy flower spikes in April whose scent fills the whole garden; sold in blue, purple, pink, red, white and yellow cultivars. Plant the bulbs in autumn, around October, in a sunny, well-drained spot, 10 to 15 cm deep and 10 to 15 cm apart, and wear gloves because the bulb scales irritate the skin. It is fully hardy and can stay in the ground for years, but it does not really multiply: the spikes get looser and smaller each year, so top up with new bulbs every few years. After flowering cut off only the spent stalk and let the leaves die back completely, as they feed the bulb for next year.

Watch out for

Bulbs rot easily in heavy, waterlogged soil and can be hit by bacterial and fungal bulb diseases. Flower quality usually declines after the first year. Slugs and snails may chew the young shoots.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 25 cm × 10 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D March–May, blue, purple, pink, red, white, yellow, orange

All details

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	25 cm × 10 cm
Ultimate size	15–30 cm × 8–15 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–May, blue, purple, pink, red, white, yellow, orange
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	12 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Plants for containers Low-maintenance perennials Fragrant plants Fragrant perennials

Guide on the topic

Planting tulips, daffodils and crocuses: when, how deep, how many Spring-flowering bulbs go in in autumn: daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths from September to October, tulips from October to November, until the ground freezes. A bulb goes two to three times its own height deep (tulips and daffodils about 12-15 cm, crocuses 8-10 cm), tip up, at least twice its width from the next. Between perennials, 20 small, 8 medium and 4 large bulbs per square metre are enough. After flowering, leave their leaves on for six weeks.

Looks good next to it

Black mondo grass

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Irish moss

Sagina subulata