How to Force Flowering Bulbs Indoors and Get the Timing Just Right

How to Force Bulbs Indoors

Forcing bulbs sounds unkind but it’s really not. It just means providing the right conditions to bring stored bulbs out of dormancy and encourage them to grow and flower.

You can force bulbs in your home to enjoy flowers indoors at any time of year. I created the forcing calendars that you can print out (see link below) so you can encourage blooms for specific dates.

Bulbs are not always going to perform right on schedule but if they are young and healthy, they may. Just like any plants, it all depends on the cultivar, growing conditions, and so on.

That said, I’ll give you a generalized overview that will help with your planning.

If you absolute must have flowers on your holiday table by a specific date, go ahead with forcing bulbs on schedule but do have a backup plan just in case.

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Chill and No-Chill Bulbs

There are two categories of bulbs you can force into bloom indoors.

1) Bulbs that do not require chilling.
These tropical bulbs—paperwhites and amaryllises—can be planted right away.

2) Bulbs that require a chilling or cold period before forcing.
The easiest ones to force are: crocus, hyacinth, muscari, and mini daffodils.
Unless you purchase them ‘pre-chilled’, these bulbs will require a chilling period (times listed below).

Timing Paperwhites

• Paperwhites (narcissus) are no-chill bulbs and generally take 3-5 weeks to start blooming after planting indoors.
• The flowers can last 4-6 weeks.
• Check the tag on the ones you purchase for specific planting instructions and timing.

Timing Example

If I want paperwhites in bloom for Christmas and New Years, plant them by mid November. They will come into bloom by mid December and should stay in bloom for a number of weeks. Start a bit later and you’ll have the buds about to unfold which I find equally beautiful.

SCENT WARNING Some people find the scent of paperwhites to be overwhelming. They are strong! Sometimes I have forced them only to find I have to put them outside (in winter!) because the fragrance is over-powering our home.  I have friends who don’t mind it one bit. Go figure.

If you want to print out the calendars on this page, you can get them here.

Related: How to Transplant Spring Flowering Bulbs.

Timing Amaryllises

• Amaryllises are no-chill bulbs and generally take 6-8 weeks to start blooming after planting indoors, although this can vary quite a bit by cultivar.
• The flowers can last 3-6 weeks.
• Check the tag on the ones you purchase for specific planting instructions and timing.

Timing Example

To prepare an amaryllis (a 6-8 week one) for Valentine’s Day, get it planted by mid December. It should be in bloom in early February.

Alternately, start it a little later and let the recipient have the joy of seeing the blooms unfold each day.

Timing Bulbs that Require Pre-Chilling

I recommend starting with the easiest ones to grow: crocus, hyacinth, muscari, and mini daffodils (not the hardy, full-size ones).

• You must provide the required chilling period or purchase the bulbs pre-chilled and ready for planting.
• Check the tag on the ones you purchase for specific planting instructions and timing.

Timing Example

If you want crocuses in bloom indoors in March, count back 18 weeks (=early November) to find the date they should start chilling.

And there you have it.

Be sure any bulbs you purchase are firm, fresh, and not moldy or mushy.

I hope you’ll give forcing bulbs a try. It’s a great gift to give yourself in those dark days of winter.

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If you love houseplants, here are some of my favourite resources for information and ideas.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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