Forcing Forsythia: Bring Spring Indoors in 5 Simple Steps
Want to enjoy forsythia blooms indoors before spring arrives? Forcing branches of this spring-flowering shrub is easy and lets you enjoy early color inside while your garden is still dormant. Follow these five simple steps for beautiful indoor blooms.
How do you force forsythia branches indoors?
- Cut healthy branches at least 12 inches long with fat flower buds.
- Soak branches in tepid water overnight.
- Place in a bucket with warm water and cover loosely with plastic in a cool room.
- Keep buds moist and change water regularly.
- Move to a warmer spot when buds start to elongate and enjoy blooms in a vase.
When to Cut Forsythia Branches
When should you force flowers? We’re usually in the mood in February or March, once the shrubs have gone through the winter and had their chilling requirements—and we are eager for spring’s arrival! Buds take from 1 to 5 weeks to open, depending on the plant you choose. The closer to the natural blooming time you cut the branches, the shorter the wait.
Choosing Healthy Branches
Don’t worry. Cutting off a few branches to enjoy indoors won’t hurt them at all. Spring-flowering trees and shrubs set their flower buds the previous fall. Once the buds have been exposed to cold for several months (usually by mid-January), a branch can be cut and forced to bloom indoors.
Simply consider the shrub as if you were pruning. Look for crossing branches, suckers, or crowded spots—areas that won’t be missed. When selecting branches, choose healthy ones free of disease, insects, and injuries. Cut the branch just above a side bud, being careful not to leave a stub.
Since my forsythia bushes were not even close to blossoming, I cut a few branches to force inside so I could have a touch of the real thing.
How to Prepare Forsythia Branches for Forcing
Forsythia are one of the easiest spring-flowering shrubs to trick into blooming indoors, but this method works on others as well. Any tree or shrub that blossoms before their leaves emerge can be forced to flower inside; they just may take a little longer. Given plenty of moisture and the warmth of your house, they think spring has arrived and will burst into bloom. Just cut a few branches at least a foot long that have plenty of fat flower buds on them.
Soaking the Branches
Soak the branches overnight in tepid water in the bathtub, keeping the whole branch submerged.
Placing in Water and Covering
After soaking, place them in a bucket of warm water, cover the tops loosely with a large, clear plastic bag, and put them in a cool spot, around 60°F.
Caring for Forced Forsythia Indoors
Monitoring Bud Development
At this stage they don’t need light and can be kept in any cool room or basement while the buds develop. Check them often, change the water, and mist the buds occasionally. They must not dry out or the buds will shrivel up instead of blooming.
Moving to a Warmer Spot
It shouldn’t take much more than a week or two for the forsythia buds to start to elongate and show color. Now you can move them to a warmer spot, mist the buds, and arrange them in a vase.
Extending Bloom Life
When the flowers open bring them into a room with bright light and enjoy! Most forced branches last from 5 to 7 days. Keep the flowers out of direct sun and away from heat sources to prolong the bloom time. Once you have mastered forsythia, try your hand at forcing apple, dogwood, cherry, flowering crabapple, peach, pear, plum, quince, spirea, and star magnolia blossoms. Whatever it takes to keep us sane until spring makes its long-awaited arrival!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “forcing forsythia” mean?
Forcing forsythia means cutting healthy branches from your shrub and bringing them indoors to bloom earlier than they would outside in spring.
When is the best time to force forsythia branches?
The best time is usually late winter (February–March) after the shrub has had sufficient chilling. Buds typically take 1–5 weeks to open indoors.
Do forced branches harm the shrub?
No. Cutting a few branches won’t damage the plant, as long as you prune responsibly and select branches carefully.
Do forced forsythia branches need sunlight?
Not initially. While the buds are developing in a cool spot, they do not need light. Once buds start elongating, move branches to a brighter area for optimal blooming.
How can I keep the buds from drying out?
Check water levels regularly, mist buds occasionally, and change the water every few days. Keeping branches hydrated ensures healthy blooms.
Read more about forcing branches of spring-blooming shrubs and trees.
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Do whatever works for you! Many houses, especially those like mine that are heated with wood, are excessively dry in winter and the buds tend to dry out and shrivel up rather than plumping up and opening. Hence the overnight soak and plastic treatment.
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