Bulbs are a beautiful addition to any home garden but aren’t just for outdoor growing. Forcing bulbs is a technique that encourages flowers to bloom outside of their normal environment, earlier than the main flowering season. The process is surprisingly easy to master and handy if you’ve missed the planting season and still want a great pop of colour in your home.
In this blog, we’ll explain how to force bulbs, which varieties are perfect for indoor planting, how to grow bulbs indoors, and more. By the end of it, we hope you’ll be super-inspired to start your indoor bulb-growing journey!
Which Bulbs Grow Indoors?
Early in the year when spring bulbs are in stock, try to grow hyacinth bulbs, tulip bulbs, and daffodil bulbs indoors. Later in the year, try Hippeastrum for some spectacular blooms in time for Christmas. Choose the biggest bulb from your packets when deciding which ones to force, as they will have more energy stored inside which makes for great blooms.
How to Grow Bulbs Indoors - A Step-by-Step Guide
Before you begin, pre-chill bulbs in the refrigerator to put them into a false dormancy. This will help them spring into growth once you plant them. Ensure the bulbs are kept in an airy bag and away from fruit, too, because fruit releases ethylene that can impact the quality of your bulb flowers.
Choose the Right Pot or Vase
If you choose to grow your bulbs in a clear glass vase with water, make sure you put some pebbles or river stones at the bottom; a 5cm layer or so is sufficient. This gives the bulbs something to sit on top of and elevates them out of the water so they don’t rot.
Alternatively, you can try them in decorative shallow pots or in tubs filled with potting mix or compost. If you are looking for a contemporary and elegant way to grow your bulbs, try Mr Fothergill's Glass Grow Vase which is specifically designed for forcing bulbs and propagating large seeds such as avocado and mango seeds.
Planting Indoor Bulbs
Once your bulbs have chilled for a couple of months in the refrigerator and you’ve picked your vase, it’s time for planting!
Get creative and mix different colours of bulbs in one large vase, or stick to a classic, single-colour theme. Ensure bulbs are planted with the right side facing up (the top of the bulb is pointed), and gently wedge the bulb a couple of centimetres into your gravel or river pebble layer to keep them propped up.
How to Grow Indoor Bulbs
Once arranged, fill the vase with water up to the very base of the bulbs so they don’t drown. If growing in potting mix or compost, arrange your bulbs and bury them halfway down the length of the bulb; they don’t need much soil to grow in this method.
Keep an eye on the water level in your vase often, topping it up as required. When the roots sprout from the bulb they will start to soak up more moisture. If growing in a potting mix, keep it lightly moist but not too damp, as bulbs are prone to rotting.
When you notice the leaves sprouting from the top of the bulb, use a grow light or move it into a brighter indoor space to encourage flowering. Foliage is a sign that the bloom is soon to follow.
Preparing for Next Year
Once flowering has finished, rather than throwing out the bulb, pop it in a sunny spot in the garden to see if it’ll give you another show next year. Keep in mind, however, that forcing bulbs can deplete many of those stored nutrients so it is not guaranteed to flower in the second year. Make sure to give it a top-up of food in a liquid or slow-release feed to replenish these lost nutrients.
Buy Indoor Bulbs Online at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds
Indoor growing is becoming more popular in Australia and beyond and enables you to continue growing if you run out of garden space or want to try new techniques. Discover Mr Fothergill’s range of flower bulbs and for more information about different growing techniques, check out our garden advice blog.
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