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How to Force Flower Bulbs Indoors Any Time of Year

Published on May 26, 2023 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

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You can enjoy flowers indoors any time of year by forcing flower bulbs like tulips, paperwhites, daffodils, and hyacinth. Use the handy planting charts to ensure the flowers open just in time for holidays and other special occasions.

These beginner bulb growing tips are helpful for indoor and outdoor growing.

Purple flowering bulbs blooming indoors.

Grow Flowering Bulbs Indoors

Forcing hyacinth bulbs indoors in pots.

While you can grow bulbs indoors at home anytime, it’s most popular during the cold, dark winter months when we’re craving the beautiful pops of color that flowering bulbs can provide.

These tips share everything you need to grow bulbs in average household conditions and “force” them to produce flowers. Really, for this purpose, growing and forcing are the same thing when the end goal is beautiful blooms.

What is bulb forcing?

When we “force” bulbs indoors we provide the conditions needed to trigger blooming. It’s the same things they need for outdoor flowering.

Depending on the type of bulb, this may be a period of cool temperatures followed by light, water, and warmthโ€”but done intentionally instead of waiting for nature to do it.

Not only can you cause the bulbs to flower indoors, but, with some planning, you can make them come into bloom for a specific holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Let’s get started.


Contents

  • Bulbs That Flower Indoors
  • How To Chill Bulbs
  • Forcing Bulbs In Water
  • Forcing Bulbs In Soil
  • Sample Forcing Dates
  • Frequently-Asked Questions
  • Resources


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Bulbs That Flower Indoors

Red amaryllis flower growing indoors.
Amaryllis bulbs flowering indoors

There are all sorts of options for indoor flowering bulbs and they fall into two basic groups: bulbs that require a chilling period before flowering and those that do not.

Group 1: Warm Climate (Tropical) Bulbs

The two bulbs that do not require chilling and can be planted right away are amaryllis (Hippeastrum) and paperwhites.

If you are not a fan of strong scents, avoid paperwhites. While incredibly beautiful, they have a really powerful scent that is overwhelming to some.

Group 2: Hardy Bulbs

These are cold climate bulbs, the same ones we plant outdoors in fall for spring flowers. The list includes classics like crocus, daffodil (Narcissus), Dutch iris, tulip, hyancinth, and scilla. I’ve listed all of them here.

Hardy bulbs marketed for indoor growing may already be pre-chilled by the seller. The label may say “pre-chilled” or “ready to plant indoors.”

If not, you can easily chill them yourself using the instructions below.

Size & Time Matters

The larger the bulb, the larger the flowersโ€”but they also take longer to bloom. Amaryllis is a prime example. Those blooms can be big (6-inches wide) and some varieties produce multiple flowers on one stemโ€”but it can take 6 to 8 weeks to flower.

The advantage with smaller bulbs like crocus, grape hyacinth, muscari, and mini daffodils is how quickly they bloom. If you’re late getting forced flowers underway for the holidays, if already pre-chilled (by you or the seller), these little bulbs can bloom in just 2 to 3 weeks.

If bulbs do not receive sufficient time to chill or it extends too long, they may not grow as expected. This could result in fewer leaves, a leggier stem, or no blooms.


Flowering bulbs and hands planting bulbs in garden bed.

Related: How to Plant Flower Bulbs (& When Itโ€™s Too Late)



How To Chill Bulbs

Hyacinth bulbs forming leaves.

If your bulbs come “pre-chilled” you can skip the chill period and plant according to the instructions on the label.

If chilling needs to be done, you can do this with the bare bulbs in a paper bag or plant them in containers first and chill the whole thing.

These times are general estimates: always check your plant label for specific info.

Indoor Bulb Chilling & Blooming Chart

NameChill PeriodWeeks to Bloom
After Planting
Anemone
(Anemone coronaria)
6 weeks6-8 weeks
Crocus
(Crocus vernus)
15 weeks2-3 weeks
Checkered Lily
(Fritillaria meleagris)
13-15 weeks3-4 weeks
Daffodil
(Narcissus)
15-17 weeks2-3 weeks
Dwarf Iris
(Iris reticulata)
15 weeks2-3 weeks
Dutch Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)12-15 weeks2-3 weeks
Grape Hyacinth (Hyacinthus armeniacum)8-15 weeks2-3 weeks
Tulip
(Tulipa)
14-20 weeks2-3 weeks
Siberian Squill
(Scilla siberica)
6 weeks2-3 weeks
Snowdrop
(Galanthus nivalis)
15 weeks2 weeks
Amaryllis
(Hippeastrum spp.)
not required6-8 weeks
Paperwhites
(Narcissus tazetta)
not required3-5 weeks

Assorted types of flower seeds to start indoors in winter.

Related: 30 Flower Seeds To Start Indoors (Late Winter & Spring)


Indoor Chilling

The goal is to keep the bulbs dry in darkness at the right temperature for the required period of time shown in the chart (above).

The general temperature range for an assortment of bulbs is 35 to 45ยฐF (2 to 7ยฐC).

Keep the bulbs in a paper bag that will both absorb moisture and allow some air flow.

If you have room, the fridge or a cold room is a good option.

Outdoor Chilling

As mentioned, you can either chill your bulbs in paper bags or plant them in containers and chill the whole container.

The main concern with outdoor storage is to be careful the bulbs are not exposed to frost and freezing and do not get eaten by mice or squirrels.

Any protected space like a shed or garage with temperatures between 35 to 45ยฐF (2 to 7ยฐC) could work.

If your climate is like ours, temperatures may toggle in and out of range, but, if they are in the right temperature range for much of the time, they should be fine.

Put a reminder in your calendar or phone to follow up with planting when the chill period is done.


Plants that need seed stratification including milkweed, primrose, trillium, and dogwood.

Related: How To Cold Stratify Seeds (Including Fridge Stratification Method)



Forcing Bulbs In Water

  • Recommended for: amaryllis, hyacinth, narcissus.

Supplies

  • Forcing jar, mason jar, or other suitable bowl or vase
  • Marbles or stones to prop up bulb (if needed)

Tips

Forcing jar with flowering bulb.

The idea with forcing a bulb in water is to suspend the bulb above water so just the lower third (or a bit less) of the bulb is submerged. This is where the roots are.

You don’t want to submerge anymore than necessary to facilitate root growth because most bulbs do not like prolonged water exposure and will rot.

The old-fashioned and easy way to force in water is to use a forcing jar. These are specifically designed for bulbs like hyacinth and just the right size to hold the bulb nicely in place with water just at root level.

Alternatively, you can use just about any jar or container that will allow you to provide the same setup.

Sitting the bulbs on stones or marbles is fine too so long as the roots get water.

Care

  • Keep your forcing jar in indirect light.
  • Check to be sure the water does not evaporate and dry out the roots.
  • Change the water every 2 to 3 days.
  • No fertilizer is required.
  • When there are a few inches of roots, you can move your bulb to a sunnier location to accelerate flowering.
  • Once the flower is opening, go back to indirect light, away from drafts or heat vents, to extend the bloom time.

Spring flowering shrub branch

Related: How to Force Branches to Bloom Indoors Before Spring



Forcing Bulbs In Soil

  • Any of these bulbs can be forced in containers with potting mix:
    Anemone, crocus, checkered lily, daffodil, dwarf iris, Dutch hyacinth, grape hyacinth, tulip, squill, snowdrop, amaryllis, and paperwhites.

Supplies

  • Flower pot with drainage holes
  • Saucer
  • Potting mix (not garden soil)
  • Moss (optional)

Tips

Flowering bulb in flower pot.

Choose a container with drainage holes that suits the appearance, size, and quantity of the bulbs you are growing.

The bulb product label will list the recommended planting depth. Large bulbs like amaryllis can be planted with 1/3 of the bulb above soil level. Smaller bulbs like snowdrop and crocus can be submerged so just the very tops of their pointy tips are showing.

For pot depth, it should be at least two bulb lengths deep to allow room for root growth.

For spacing, we can get away with more crowding than you might when growing outdoors in the ground because it’s just for one blooming season. The important part is to ensure the base of every bulb has exposure to moist potting mix.

Larger bulbs like amaryllis will need a weighty container to anchor the whole thing down. Otherwise the plant may tip over once it gets top-heavy with it’s large blooms.

Before planting, you can give your bulbs a head start by sitting the base of the bulb (where the roots are) in a shallow dish of warm water to start hydrating the roots for an hour or so.

Moss is optional but always give a nice, earth look.

Care

  • Keep your potted bulbs in indirect light while roots are forming.
  • Water as needed, never allowing potting mix to dry out.
  • No fertilizer is required.
  • Once growth is evident, move the container to a sunnier location to encourage blooming.
  • Once the flower is opening, go back to indirect light, away from drafts or heat vents, to extend the bloom time.

Sample Forcing Dates

Indoor bulb forcing calendar.
Paperwhites forcing calendar for blooms right when you want them.
Amaryllis forcing calendar showing when to plant for blooms by a specific date.

See Resources to save a copy of these forcing calendars.

If you want your bulbs in bloom in time for a specific date or holiday, just count back the number of weeks they need to chill and bloom to know when to get them started.

Here are a few examples.

Paperwhite Forcing Dates

Paperwhites do not require pre-chilling and take 3 to 5 weeks to bloom after planting. Some fast-bloomers open in just 2 weeks.

Planting DateBlooms Begin
October 1October 22 – November 5
October 15November 5 – 19
November 1November 22 – December 6
November 15December 6 – 20
December 1December 22 – January 5
December 15January 5 – 19
January 1January 22 – February 5
January 15February 5 – 19
February 1February 22 – March 7
February 15March 7 – 22
March 1March 22 – April 5

If you 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 youโ€™ll have the buds about to unfold which I find equally beautiful.

Amaryllis Forcing Dates

Amaryllis do not require pre-chilling and take 6 to 8 weeks to bloom after planting.

Planting DateBlooms Begin
October 1November 12 – 26
October 15November 26 – December 10
November 1December 13 – 27
November 15December 27 – January 10
December 1January 12 – 26
December 15January 26 – February 9
January 1February 12 – 26
January 15February 26 – March 11
February 1March 14 – 28
February 15March 28 – April 11
March 1April 12 – 26

To prepare an amaryllisโ€”specifically one that takes 6 to 8 weeks to bloomโ€”for Valentineโ€™s Day, get it planted by mid December. It should be in bloom in early February and stay in flower for a few weeks.

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

Waxed Amaryllis

You can also buy amaryllis bulbs that have been coated in wax. The idea is that the wax coating will maintain the moisture within the bulb for the duration of the blooming cycle so other soil or water is required.

These waxed bulbs have their basal plates removed (the area where roots grow out the bottom). Sometimes a coil of wire is attached to the base to prevent the bulb from tipping. To grow it, you just leave it on a table top and let it do its thing.

Will it bloom again? I’ve heard mixed reviews on this. Some gardeners report removing the wax after blooming and successfully regrowing the bulb. Others report the entire waxing method seems to leave the bulb completely depleted. I imagine you have to judge based on how yours looks when the flowers are done and try storing and regrowing if you like.

Crocus

If you want crocuses in bloom indoors in March and they are not yet prechilled, count back 18 weeks (=early November) to find the date they should start chilling. This allows 15 weeks for chilling and 2 to 3 weeks for blooming.


Frequently-Asked Questions

How long do forced bulbs take to bloom?

The time it takes to force bulbs varies from weeks to months depending on type and forcing conditions including light, humidity, temperature, and water.

Should I fertilize forced bulbs?

Forced bulbs do not require fertilizer. The bulbs contain all the energy needed for the bloom cycle.

Can you force bulbs more than once?

Some bulbs can be forced more than once, others cannot. Your product label should say if this is possible.

Some types of bulbs are good for one spectacular indoor blooming cycle and no amount of care is going to make it happen again.

Others may have more life in them.

Generally, a hardy bulb forced in potting mix is more likely to regrow than one forced in water.

If you are saving bulbs after forcing, be sure to allow the post-flowering phase to take place first. This is when the leaves, through photosynthesis, give energy to the bulb for future growth. The cycle is complete when the leaves have withered and died off. At this point the bulb can be removed from its soil or water and stored in a cool, dry place until planting time.

If you are switching from indoor to outdoor growing, double check that the bulb will not be invasive in your garden.

And yes, hardy bulbs will need a fresh chilling session before each blooming cycle.


Resources

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When To Force Bulbs Indoors

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Forcing hyacinth bulbs indoors in pots.
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Forcing flower bulbs to flower indoors.
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How to Force Bulbs Indoors

How to force flower bulbs indoors for blooms any time of year.
Steps20 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Makes: 1 Bulb
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Flower pot
  • Potting mix

Supplies & Materials

  • 1 Amaryllis bulb or other bulb

Instructions

  • Sit base of bulb in warm water for one hour before planting to hydrate the roots.
    1 Amaryllis bulb
  • Place enough moistened potting mix in the flower pot to support the bulb so the top third will sit above soil level.
  • Place the bulb bottom (flat end) down on potting mix.
  • Add potting mix around bulb leaving top third above soil level.
  • Water thoroughly and replenish potting mix as needed.
  • For next few weeks, keep at room temperature (70F / 21C) away from direct light until roots have formed and leaves start to appear.
  • Water as needed.
  • Then move to a sunny location for flowering.

Notes

These instructions use an amaryllis bulb. See the article for how to plant other types of flowering bulbs indoors.ย 
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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