These flowers are a gorgeous addition to your indoor decor.
Enter the forced bulb.
And fortunately, learning how to force bulbs is a pretty easy task.
Photo:Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images
You just need a little prep and a little patience to enjoy gorgeous blooms later this winter.
But most spring-blooming bulbs can be forced to bloom in winter.
Here’s what you better do to force the bulbs.
Choose an appropriate pot.
Otherwise, you risk rotting the bulb if it’s allowed to sit in soil that’s too moist.
Fill the pots with damp potting soil.
you’re free to plant the bulbs close together, with their root side down.
Give your bulbs a taste of winter.
you better keep your bulbs in a cold, dark environment that mimics winter weather.
The temperature should be consistently below 50 degrees, but shouldn’t dip below freezing.
Warm your forced bulbs up.
Once you see a little growth on the bulb, it’s time to mimic spring.
Move them into a slightly warmer and more light-filled spot (even if that light is artificial).
You’ll want a spot that is consistently above 50 degrees, but below 65.
This could be a garage, if the temperature is warm enough, or in your basement.
Keep your bulbs well watered, but not too wet to avoid rotting the bulb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t want a bulky pot of soil?
A few bulbs do well with just water.
Amaryllis, hyacinth, and paperwhites are all good choices.
The short answer: yes.
But don’t expect new blooms for at least a year (or usually two).
