Hyacinth, a Christmas classic: how to keep it blooming longer

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) belongs to the asparagus family and is a perennial bulb. Hyacinths became popular Christmas flowers in Finland in the early 20th century. Legend has it that the first blooming pink hyacinth was spotted in a florist’s window in Helsinki at Christmas 1879. In Finland, just over 2 million hyacinths are sold each year, making it our most popular Christmas flower.

There are more than 2,000 hyacinth varieties. Flowers are usually single, though double-flowered varieties also exist. The most common and popular color is pink, but white, blue, and purplish red hyacinths are also available.

Hyacinth: how to care for it and keep it blooming longer

Watering

Water your hyacinth a little at a time so the stem doesn’t stretch. If the stem does elongate and won’t stand upright, support it with a flower stake or cut the hyacinth and display it as a cut flower in a vase. Place the cut hyacinth in cold, shallow water.

Hyacinth in bloom

A hyacinth in tight bud will open fully in about a week. The flowers last longer if you can move the plant to a cool spot overnight, say on a balcony.

In addition to traditional hyacinths, there are also hyacinths for planting outdoors [in Finnish].