Why Are My Hyacinths Not Blooming?

Are your hyacinths older than two years?

Did you cut back your hyacinths immediately after last year's blooming?

Were the bulbs stored in an excessively dry place with an unstable temperature, or near sources of ethylene gas?

Did you get the bulbs from an unreliable nursery or leftover bulbs at the end of the season?

Unlike some bulbs like tulips and lilies, hyacinths are usually not strong enough to last for many years. Most hyacinths begin to decline after about two seasons. You may need to replace your bulbs if you want blooms again.

Hyacinths need plenty of time in a full sun location after they bloom to recharge their energy for next year. If you cut them back too soon or plant them in a low light location, they may lack the strength to bloom at all.

Improperly stored bulbs may lose their flower buds to dehydration or inconsistent temperatures. Buds may also abort if they’re stored near sources of ethylene gas, common in garages, and produced by apples. In the future, cut one of the bulbs in half if they’re stored in a questionable location and check the flower bud before planting.

When you acquire bulbs from an unreliable source you can never know if they had been stored and handled properly. At the end of the season, leftover bulbs may be damaged or just too shrimpy for full production.

Not all hyacinths bloom at the same time, though you can reasonably expect them to appear sometime in early spring. If your neighbor’s hyacinths are blooming and yours aren’t, you may just need to wait a little longer. Give them time, especially if they’re new to the garden.