Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, native to Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus. It grows 15–25 cm (6–10 in) tall and 8–12 cm (3–5 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 8 cm (3 in) apart.
Plan Grape hyacinth in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Grape hyacinth at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 cm (3–5 in) |
| Spacing | 8 cm (3 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Grape hyacinth toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: bulbs
Not documented by the ASPCA; related bulbs contain saponins, so treat bulbs as irritant if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Grape hyacinth
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Grape hyacinth in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (30 plants)
Questions about Grape hyacinth
- How far apart should I plant Grape hyacinth?
- About 8 cm (3 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 cm (3–5 in).
- Does Grape hyacinth need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Grape hyacinth need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Grape hyacinth?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Grape hyacinth flower?
- From about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Grape hyacinth poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Not documented by the ASPCA; related bulbs contain saponins, so treat bulbs as irritant if eaten.
- What grows well with Grape hyacinth?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Grape hyacinth. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Leaves appear in autumn and persist through winter; spreads freely by offsets and seed.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana
- Adam's needle (yucca) Yucca filamentosa