Forcing forsythia indoors, sometimes called getting branches to bloom early inside, is a simple way to enjoy these yellow spring flowers weeks before your forsythia shrubs bloom outdoors.
By cutting healthy stems at the right time and following a few careful steps, you can force forsythia branches to enjoy blooms that last for days in a vase.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly when to cut branches, how to force them to bloom indoors, how long it takes, and how to keep them fresh once they flower.
Some of the links below are affiliate links. I earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase through an affiliate link.
What is forcing
Forcing is a traditional gardening method used to make branches bloom indoors before the plant flowers outdoors. It’s sometimes called getting branches to flower early inside.
It is common for bulbs such as amaryllis and paperwhites to be forced indoors, but perennial shrubs, like forsythia, are also good candidates for forcing.
If you are impatient for winter to be gone and the warmth of the sun’s rays to arrive, forcing forsythia branches indoors is a great way to bring a pop of sunshine into your home.
What you need to force forsythia indoors
Before you start, gather all the tools and materials you’ll need. This will help the process go more smoothly.
- Forsythia branches with swollen, unopened buds
- Sharp garden pruners or shears
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Floral preservative (optional)
- Rubber mallet or small hammer (optional)
When to force forsythia branches
The best time to force forsythia branches is in late winter, after the buds have had at least six weeks of cold dormancy but a few weeks before the shrub would naturally bloom outdoors.
Forsythia is one of the first perennial shrubs to flower outdoors, often around the same time as daffodils. Timing is crucial when trying to force forsythia branches indoors.
- Start checking for visible plump buds on forsythia shrubs in early to late winter.
- Choose a day when the temperature is above freezing so the buds have begun to swell slightly.
- Branches should have been through at least 6 weeks of cold dormancy. Cut them a few weeks before the shrub would normally bloom outdoors.
How to know when buds are ready for forcing
Forsythia buds are ready for forcing when they are plump, fat, and slightly swollen, and show a hint of yellow, green, or brownish color.
- Look for branches with small bumps along the edges of the stems. These are emerging flower buds.
- Choose stems with many buds along their length; they will produce a fuller display in a vase.
If your forsythia has been pruned into a hedge shape, you may notice fewer flower buds. Frequent pruning removes older flowering wood where the buds develop.
- Buds should be swollen, but still closed.
Note: Forsythia flowers open before leaves. If your shrub already has foliage, it’s too late to cut branches for forcing this season.
How to force forsythia branches indoors (Step-by-step)
When forsythia buds are ready, cutting the branches correctly is the first step to forcing them indoors.
Use sharp pruners
Cut the branches at ground level. This prevents new side shoots from ruining the shape of your forsythia bush and keeps your shrub tidy for the next year.
- Use clean, sharp gardening shears to make diagonal cuts.
- Choose branches you will want to remove when you prune your forsythia bush after the flowers fade.
- Any branches that have bushed out are also good candidates for forcing indoors and give you a fuller vase of early blooms.
Make second cuts
The long branches that you cut will be too big for a vase. You’ll need to trim them. Preparing them in water will help the branches to bloom indoors.
- Fill a bucket with warm water and place your branches in it to start absorbing the water.
- After a few minutes, trim off the excess stem so the branches will fit your vase.
- Make diagonal cuts just below a bud using sharp shears. This maximizes water absorption and encourages healthy flowering indoors.
- Trim off the bottom side stems and lower buds to keep the water clean.
- Leave the branches to soak in warm water for 1–2 hours.
Note: To increase water absorption, gently hammer the ends of the branches with a rubber mallet. This creates more surface area for water and speeds up the forcing process.
Change the water
Keeping the water clean is essential when forcing forsythia indoors. Fresh water helps the buds to absorb nutrients and bloom fully.
- After the branches have been in the bucket for a few hours, replace the water with warm, fresh water.
- Add a floral preservative to help the water stay clean longer.
- Continue changing the water every few days to prevent bacteria and keep the branches hydrated.
- Gently hammer the ends occasionally to keep them from sealing off and ensure they continue soaking up water.
- Keep the branches in the bucket until the blooms start to open, usually in a few weeks.
Displaying the forced forsythia branches
Keep the forsythia branches in bright, indirect light. Too much heat can cause the buds to open too quickly or drop early.
- Transfer the branches to a large vase for display.
- Place the vase near a south or west-facing window until the buds open and begin blooming.
- Mist the branches every few days with a plant mister to increase humidity.
- Change the water if it becomes cloudy or murky.
- Forcing is best done in a room with temperatures in the 60-70°F (15-21°C) range to simulate spring temperatures outdoors.
- My buds took just about two weeks to start forming.
Enjoying your blooms
In 2-3 weeks, your branches should start flowering. Sit back and enjoy a splash of early spring indoors. You’ll enjoy a little pop of color no matter the weather outside!
How long does it take to force forsythia to bloom?
Forsythia branches usually bloom indoors in 1 to 6 weeks, depending on when they were cut and how close the shrub is to its natural outdoor bloom time.
- Flowers open before leaves appear. Forsythia is one of the first spring bloomers, so you’ll see yellow blossoms first.
- Timing affects speed. Branches cut closer to their normal bloom time will flower much sooner.
- Leaves follow the blooms. After a few weeks, green leaves will begin to develop once the flowering period slows.
- Some branches may root. If the stems are less woody, forced forsythia branches may develop roots in water. These can be planted outdoors in spring to grow new shrubs.
Other spring-blooming plants to force:
Forsythia is not the only shrub that you can force indoors. It’s just one of the earliest ones. Here are a few other choices:
- Bulbs: Paperwhites, hyacinths, and amaryllis
- Shrubs: Quince, honeysuckle, dogwood, pussy willow, and azalea
More ways to grow and care for forsythia
From shaping older shrubs to moving plants and improving growth, these forsythia guides will help you get the best blooms each spring.
- Forsythia Shrub – Guide to planting, growing, and pruning forsythia
- Renovation Pruning Forsythia – Learn about hard pruning forsythia
- Transplanting Forsythia – Tips for moving forsythia bushes or shrubs
Forsythia forcing FAQs
These common questions about forcing forsythia branches cover extra tips, troubleshooting, and care details that help ensure bright indoor blooms.
Do forced forsythia branches need sunlight to bloom indoors?
No. The buds already formed outdoors, so they do not need direct sunlight to open. Bright, indirect light is best once the flowers start to appear, but warmth and water are more important than sun at the forcing stage.
What room temperature is best for forcing forsythia?
A cool room (60–68°F) slows blooming slightly but gives longer-lasting flowers. Warmer rooms make buds open faster, but can shorten bloom life.
Why didn’t my forsythia branches bloom indoors?
This usually happens if the branches were cut too early, before buds had developed, or if they didn’t receive enough winter chill. Stems that dry out or sit in dirty water may also fail to bloom.
Can I use cold water instead of warm water?
Warm water helps wake dormant buds more quickly, but cold water will still work — it just takes longer. Always keep the water clean regardless of temperature.
How long do forced forsythia flowers last in a vase?
Once open, blooms typically last 5–10 days. Keeping the arrangement in a cool room and changing the water often will help extend vase life.
Can I force forsythia branches more than once a year?
No. Each branch only blooms once per season. New flower buds form later for the following spring.
Are forced forsythia flowers fragrant?
Most forsythia varieties have little to no noticeable fragrance. They are grown for their bright early color rather than scent.
Share this guide to forcing forsythia indoors on X
If you enjoyed learning how to get forsythia to bloom inside, why not share this guide with a friend?
Bring a little sunshine indoors 🌼✨ Cut a few forsythia branches in late winter, and you can enjoy bright yellow blooms weeks before spring arrives outside! Learn when to cut, how to prep stems, and how to keep flowers fresh… Share on XPin this post for forcing forsythia in water
Would you like a reminder of this post about how to grow forsythia cuttings in water? Just pin this image to one of your gardening boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
Admin note: This article about how to force forsythia indoors first appeared on the blog in January of 2018. This post has been updated with all new photos and a slideshow video about forcing forsythia in water.
How to Force Forsythia Branches to Bloom Indoors
Cutting forsythia branches in late winter and placing them in water indoors is a simple way to enjoy bright yellow blooms weeks before the shrub flowers outside. This step-by-step method shows when to cut branches, how to prepare the stems, and how to care for them until they bloom.
Materials
- Forsythia branches
- Large pail
- Water
- Large vase
- Flower preservative (optional)
Tools
- Sharp pruners
- Hammer or rubber mallet (optional)
Instructions
- Choose a day above 32°F (0°C).
- Choose branches with many swollen, unopened buds.
- Cut the branches with sharp pruners, on a diagonal, close to the ground.
- Place the branches in a large pail filled with warm water for a few minutes.
- Make a second cut, on the diagonal, just below a bud, and remove the bottom part of the branches to fit the size of your vase.
- Use a hammer to pound the ends of the branches. (This is optional, but it will allow more water to enter the stems.)
- Leave the stems in warm water for 2 hours.
- Add fresh water to a large vase.
- Remove the lower buds to keep the water clean.
- Change the water with fresh, warm water every 1-2 days.
- Give the branches bright, indirect light in a room with temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C).
- In 1-6 weeks, the buds should start to open.
- Display and enjoy!
Notes
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
