In order to grow hyacinths on compost, place a thin layer of grit at the bottom of your chosen container. If the container has no drainage holes, use a specially prepared indoor bulb fiber. Use ordinary potting compost or soil mix if there are adequate drainage holes in the container. Add bulb fiber or compost to within 2 inches of the rim. Plant the hyacinth bulbs with the bottom half of the bulb in compost and the top half exposed.

Space the bulbs so that they are touching neither each other nor the container. They should have about half their own width between them. Moisten the compost, but avoid watering the bulbs directly. Add grit or moss in order to retain moisture, and then put the container in a cool, dark place for about 8 to 10 weeks until the bulbs have made good root growth. The temperature at this stage should not exceed fifty degree Fahrenheit.

If you want to grow hyacinth bulbs on water, you will need water, charcoal, a hyacinth bulb and a special glass. You will need a larger glass for bulbs such as Hippos. Insert a small piece of charcoal into the glass. Bring the water level to just below the neck of the glass. Insert the bulb, ensuring that the base is just above water level. Place the bulb in a cool dark room and when the roots are well formed and the shoot is about 2 inches long, bring it out to a light spot, gradually increasing the level of sunlight and temperature.

Avoid strong, direct sunlight. When you grow hyacinth bulbs in glass vases, it will show off their beauty to full effect. It is fascinating to see the mass of delicate roots that is produced, and effect that can rarely be seen otherwise. Do not allow the base of the bulb to sit in the water, because this will cause it to rot.