Bring Spring Inside (Before it Shows Up Outside): How to Force Forsythia to Bloom in March

Who’s ready for spring? Let’s see a show of hands! Today, we’ve got a very important (and incredibly EASY!) tutorial on how to force Forsythia blooms early. Spring might be taking its time outside, but we can make it happen inside, people!!

Last year while attending a choir rehearsal at a friend’s house I spotted a vase of branches covered in gorgeous yellow forsythia blooms. Since it was the beginning of MARCH (and our average daily high was -8), I assumed that they were silk. Upon closer inspection I realized that they were actual real bonafide forsythia branches! 

I inquired with her as to what kind of black magic she used to make this happen and she said, “It’s easy! Cut the branches, bring them inside and put them in water. They’ll wake up and start blooming soon enough!”

I did NOT know that you could do this! 

Last week while gazing out at the 2.5′ of snow sitting on top of my front garden, I thought, “I just can’t wait until THIS

turns into THIS!” 

Spring flowers make me so happy. Daffodils are my all-time favourite, closely followed by Lilacs, then Forsythia and Hyacinths. Any chance I get to enjoy these flowers sooner I will eagerly take! 

Here’s how to force Forsythia to bloom early:

Cut some branches, bring them inside and give them water.

I put mine on the counter where a) I could closely monitor them for progress and b) they could see a bit of sun every day. 

In 5.5 days, I had my first flower. 

Within 7 days, I had a bouquet of spring. 

I’m a happy camper. Now that I know how incredibly easy it is to do this, my only challenge will be to leave enough branches on my Forsythia bush so that I get flowers OUTSIDE this year, too! 😉 

What’s your favourite spring plant? Do you grow it in your garden, enjoy it at the park, or buy it potted & blooming from the florist? 

Looking for more ways to bring spring indoors? Check out these easy Forsythia branch crafts for the kids! (Or for you. I find it soooo satisfying to make them, I’ll be honest!)

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Jenn vanOosten

I live in Hamilton, Ontario, and love my city. I'm a Netflixer, choral music geek, bookworm, inventor of recipes (I take Artistic Licence on EVERYTHING that I make), wife of one, mother of two, and owner of a neurotic Schnauzer. I respect people who respect others. I love good food that's well done, but my favourite lunch is KD & hotdogs. With ketchup. I'm addicted to Clearance Shopping. I will ALWAYS get the product that I want at the price that I want, eventually.

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