We gardeners all like to get jobs done at the right time, but it isn’t always possible. This may lead many to ponder ‘Can I plant tulips in December?’ as they stare at neglected bags of tulip bulbs they haven’t got round to planting, or admire new packets of dazzling varieties they haven’t tried that are still on sale in garden centres.
If you are running that debate about when to plant tulips through your mind, then rest assured that it is not too late. Tulips are pretty merciful bulbs; you can plant them in December and still get a display of blooms in spring.
This month may not be the traditional ideal time to plant tulips, but it can be done. Whether you plan to plant spring bulbs in the ground or in pots, you can get the job done in December, but be speedy about it if you haven’t gotten around to it yet. There is also an unorthodox planting approach you can take if your ground is already frozen.
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Is It Too Late to Plant Tulips in December? When You Can, and Can’t Plant Them
This guide looks at the classic conundrum: Can I plant tulips in December? I chatted to an experienced gardener, designer, and educator to reveal when it is and isn’t possible to plant your favourite types of tulips in mid-winter, and the options you have if your ground isn’t suitable for planting this month.
If the conditions are right, it may mean getting the bulb planter out of the shed, and something like this carbon steel bulb planter at Walmart might be an essential gardening tool if you’ve got lots of tulip bulbs to plant.
Can I Plant Tulips in December?
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Traditionally, November is the best time to plant tulip bulbs. It is the perfect time to plant them to combat tulip fire, as the soil is cooler and the fungus that causes the issue is less prevalent.
However, as fall and winter gardening checklists can be long, and so many outside influences can rob you of time (I’m talking weather that doesn’t play ball and the planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas that can be very distracting), it is no surprise that sometimes jobs drift outside of the ‘perfect’ window.
Thankfully, it is not the end of the world if you haven’t got all your tulips planted by the end of November.
There is still time. Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass, describes tulip bulbs as ‘pretty forgiving as long as you plant them when it’s cold’. She adds: ‘If you can dig in the ground (it’s not frozen), you can still plant them.’
Tulip bulbs need to be exposed to cold for a period to trigger their growth. This can be achieved by planting them in December, especially if you live in climates with mild winters.
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Provided the conditions are right, December can give them the winter chill they need to burst into life. If you are worried it’s too late, there can still be enough time for a spring display, and, as the adage says, better late than never.
‘Now, mid-to-end of December isn’t the ‘ideal’ planting time for tulips, so it’s possible they may not bloom as well as if you planted earlier,’ adds Laura. ‘However, if you procrastinated (like many people), you should definitely give it a shot, as most likely they will be ok.
‘There are no guarantees with nature, but going ahead and planting is way better than not doing it at all.’ That last sentiment is definitely true; it is better to plant the tulip bulbs and give them a chance, rather than leave the bag sitting in the shed and risk being nibbled by mice, rats, or squirrels or rotting.
If you plant tulip bulbs in December, they may bloom later or produce smaller blooms. But there is a risk that they will not bloom at all. However, perennial varieties such as species tulips, fosteriana tulips, and greigii tulips will start blooming the following year if they don’t appear next spring.
‘Just keep in mind that many tulips won’t bloom a second time, so people treat them as annuals,’ adds Laura. ‘The Darwin hybrid variety is very reliable if you want a greater chance of a return.’ You can get a great mix of jumbo Darwin tulips at Dutch Grown that will re-flower year-on-year.
As mentioned earlier, the conditions need to be suitable for planting tulips in December. If the soil is frozen or if you have soil that becomes waterlogged over winter, planting tulips this month would be a bulb planting mistake.
Thankfully, if the conditions aren’t right, there is a different way to start your tulips. Laura claims you can take advantage of a ‘second chance’ to plant tulips in the spring by buying potted tulips, or you can do it yourself by starting bulbs off indoors during December.
‘Transplant potted plants into the ground when temperatures are consistently around 55 degrees,’ adds the expert. ‘Pay attention if there’s a frost or the temperature drops, and cover the plants with a frost cloth to protect tulips from frost.’
To plant tulips indoors in December, fill a large pot with soil for container gardening (such as this premium organic potting mix at Burpee) and plant the bulbs at twice their depth. Keep this container in a sheltered position for winter, or in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame to protect it from the worst of the winter frosts and snow.
Laura Janney
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Garden Designer
Laura Janney is a renowned landscape architect and designer, and CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass. Laura has left her mark on the cottage garden landscape design scene, recently winning the 2023 Houzz Best in Design award for her work in the New York area.
You can get tulips to reflower next year; the key is knowing what to do with tulips after they bloom. The best results will come with lifting and storing tulip bulbs, and this process starts with deadheading tulips. This means the plant puts energy into the bulb rather than creating seeds.
Once the leaves have naturally died back, gently lift the bulbs. Remove the old foliage and any soil from the bulbs, then allow them to dry out. The best place to store tulips is in paper or net bags in a dry, sheltered place. There are no guarantees that tulips will keep performing year after year, so it is beneficial to buy new spring bulbs to plant in the fall to add to your displays.
Garden Weasel Bulb Planter
This long-handled bulb planter is made of lightweight carbon steel. You can quickly make 3.75” diameter planting holes by stepping on the footplate and extracting the dirt plug.
Haliaeetus Bulb Planter Tool
This stainless steel bulb planter has a wooden handle and handy 1-to-6-inch depth marks to ensure you plant bulbs at the perfect depth.
Colwelt Long Handle Bulb Planter
This long-handled bulb planter features two pedals, one for penetrating the ground and another for releasing the soil plug.
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