Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Also called Common hyacinth and Dutch hyacinth
Garden plant · BulbsThe scent indoors is enormous — one bulb is plenty for a room. Wear gloves planting them; the papery skin brings some people out in a rash.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun to light shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — an average winter RHS H4, to -10°C
- Size
- 0.25 m tall · 0.1 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- Southwest Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleIrritates skin
The bulb most of all.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category C — a skin irritant. The bulb scales bring some people out in a rash.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.