Forcing Bulbs Indoors

When the garden is resting under a blanket of snow, nothing brightens the house like the scent and color of blooming bulbs!

Getting Started

Choose bulbs labeled “for forcing” or “prepared” — they’ve already had part of their chilling time. Crocus, hyacinths, and daffodils are three of the easiest to work with. If they are not labeled “prepared” no problem. They will just need additional time to cool. Use a shallow pot with drainage holes and a good-quality potting mix (not garden soil).

Planting:

- Fill the container about two-thirds full of moist soil.
- Nestle the bulbs close together, pointy side up. The tips can be just below the surface or barely showing.
- Add more soil around them and water lightly.

Chilling:

Bulbs need a cold, dark rest to form roots — about 10 to 14 weeks at 35–45°F.

- A spare refrigerator with no produce in there, unheated garage, or cold basement works well.
- Keep soil slightly moist, not soggy.
- Check occasionally for root growth — that’s a good sign things are on track!
- See the following for general ideas on chilling times

Crocus

Chilling Time: 8-10 weeks

Ideal Temp Range: 35–45°F

Notes: This goes for any small bulbs, like grape Muscari

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Chilling Time: 12-16 weeks

Ideal Temp Range: 35–45°F

Notes: Keep soil just damp. Most reliable for forcing are early varieties like ‘Tête-à-Tête’.

Hyacinths

Chilling Time: 10-14 weeks

Ideal Temp Range: 35–45°F

Notes: Can be forced in soil or water but I like them planted in soil to keep the smell down.

Tulips

Early/Short Tulips

Chilling Time: 12-14 weeks

Ideal Temp Range: 35–45°F

Notes: Choose early varieties (e.g. ‘Christmas Marvel’) for best results indoors.

Tall/Late Tulips

Chilling Time: 14-16 weeks

Ideal Temp Range: 35–45°F

Notes: These need the longest chill—be patient for strong stems and full blooms.

Waking Them Up:
About 3–4 weeks before you want them to bloom, bring the pots into a cool, bright room (around 60°F).

- Within a week or two, you’ll see shoots reaching for the light.
- Keep soil moist and rotate the pots occasionally so stems grow straight.

Tip: If you want blooms right at Christmas, count backward about 14–16 weeks from your target date to start chilling your bulbs. Bulbs inside do not last long. I like to wake them up for a week before giving them to special people and let them watch the bulbs grow and bloom. The longer the cooling time, the better the blooms.

After Blooming:

When your bulbs finish blooming, let the foliage die back naturally. They can be planted outside in spring, though they may need a year or two to regain strength before flowering again.

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