The grape hyacinth is beautiful to look at for most gardeners. With its long, grape-shaped flowers, it attracts attention and provides attractive accents wherever it is planted. But what is needed to keep them he althy and blooming for a long time?
How do I properly care for a grape hyacinth?
Proper care for a grape hyacinth includes regular cutting, watering, overwintering in a pot, protection from disease, and fertilizing. Ideally, fertilize them before and after flowering with compost or phosphorus-rich flowering fertilizer, and cut them back in late summer.
Does a cut make sense?
The pearl hyacinth needs regular pruning in order to be able to bloom vigorously in its location for many years. As with other plants, this plant takes an enormous amount of energy to form its fruits.
Therefore, it is advisable to cut them:
- cut off yellowed, dried leaves
- cut down to about 2 cm above the ground
- also remove the withered flower stems (prevent self-seeding)
- Time: Late summer
- Use sharp, clean secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon)
How often does it need to be watered?
It depends on the location how often the grape hyacinth needs to be watered. If it is in a pot, it needs to be watered several times a week. The onion should not dry out. The plant should also not be exposed to stagnant moisture. When it retires in late summer, it no longer needs to be watered.
Do you have to overwinter this plant?
The pearl hyacinth does not need to be overwintered. It is frost hardy and survives the winter outdoors without any problems. The plant should only be covered with mulch or brushwood if extreme temperatures below zero are expected. In the pot it should definitely be placed in a frost-free, cool and dark place.
Which diseases can play a role?
Grape hyacinths are usually robust. Sometimes they are attacked by the smut fungus, which can be recognized by black spots and a light-colored spore powder on the plant. Diseased parts should be removed quickly.
Does the grape hyacinth need fertilizer?
This onion plant is happy to receive fertilizer. It can be provided with compost in the spring. A flowering fertilizer rich in phosphorus is also suitable. From August onwards (when the leaves have dried up) the grape hyacinth should no longer be fertilized.
Fertilizer is ideally applied for the first time shortly before flowering. A second fertilizer application is recommended after flowering and shortly before the seeds ripen.
Tips & Tricks
As a rule, the grape hyacinth can cope without any care. It even goes wild in suitable locations in no time.
