If you’ve never planted tulip bulbs before, the process might seem a bit intimidating, but the fact is that tulips are easy to plant and grow, even in pots. That’s why they rank among the most popular spring-flowering bulbs. All you need to do is follow a few basic guidelines about the right planting time and proper depth.
The following planting guide answers any questions you may have about planting tulips, whether you choose tulips with single or double flowers, fringed flowers, or even varieties that don’t look like typical tulips.
When to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Fall is the best time to plant tulips, however, the arrival of that season varies significantly across the United States. In general, northern gardeners plant bulbs outdoors in September and October, while southern gardeners plant them outdoors in November and December.
Aim to have the bulbs in the ground about six weeks before the ground freezes or the first hard frost in your area. As a rule of thumb, it is time to plant tulips in the fall when nighttime temperatures are consistently in the 40s.
Credit:
Blaine Moats
Types of Tulip Bulbs
Most tulip vendors ship in early fall, and the most popular varieties sell out quickly, so don’t wait to place your order. Because there are so many choices (there are more than 3,000 registered tulip varieties), selecting tulip bulbs may feel overwhelming. Here are a few criteria that help you sort them out:
Bloom season: Tulip bulbs are usually classified as early, mid-, or late season. The exact bloom dates will differ based on your climate. Planting some of each gives you an extended display of beautiful spring flowers.
Size: Tulip bulbs come in a variety of sizes. In general, larger bulbs produce larger plants and fetch a premium price.
Hybrid tulips vs. species tulips: Tulips, unlike other spring bulbs, have a shorter lifespan. If you want your tulips to be true perennials and naturalize and spread over time, species tulips are the way to go. They are typically smaller and have a longer bloom time than hybrid tulips.
Prechilled: To bloom, tulips need about 12 weeks of cool temperatures, called chilling. In climates with cold winters, this is naturally achieved by planting the bulbs outside in the fall. Southern gardeners in USDA Zone 8 or warmer need to buy prechilled bulbs, which have been kept in a cooler for several months. These bulbs typically only last one season and are dug up and composted after blooming.
How to Plant Tulip Bulbs
Soil Preparation
The soil needs for growing tulips in the ground and in pots are similar. Good drainage is essential—soggy soil can cause bulbs to rot. When planting tulips in containers, use a high-quality potting mix and a pot with adequate drainage holes.
Terra-cotta pots look great with tulips and help regulate soil moisture levels.
Planting tulips in the ground requires preparation. New beds should be dug or loosened to a depth of 12 inches for varieties with larger bulbs. Add compost to the soil to provide organic matter and improve soil structure. Planting tulip bulbs in raised beds reduces the work involved in digging deep beds.
Planting Depth and Spacing
Tulip bulbs need to be buried deep. Tulip bulb sizes vary, so instead of using a measuring tape, strive to plant tulips about three times as deep as their size. A 2-inch diameter bulb would be planted 6 inches deep; a miniature 1-inch bulb only about 3 inches down. Measure from the bottom of the bulb.
Tulips can be spaced closely. Flower farmers pack them in shoulder to shoulder, like eggs in a carton. For the home gardener, a spacing of two times the size of the bulb, for example 4 inches between 2-inch bulbs, provides excellent results.
Tulips in pots can be spaced more closely together than in outdoor beds to provide a container bursting with color.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Planting Tools and Techniques
Because tulips must be planted deep, you may want to invest in a bulb planter if you have more than a few. Hand-operated planters, larger stand-up models, and even augers for cordless drills are all good options. A hand trowel works fine if you are only planting a few tulips.
Tulip bulbs have a definite “up” and a “down.” When planting tulips, put the bulbs in the hole with the pointy end up. Placing them in the hole correctly gives them the best chance of success.
If you’re planting a bunch of tulips, dig a trench, place the bulbs in it with the proper spacing, then fill the trench with the removed soil.
How To Care for Tulips
Water and Fertilizer Needs
Tulips are bulbs, so frequent watering and wet soil can cause problems. Water the bulbs well immediately after planting them in the autumn, and then don’t water them again until spring in most climates. However, long dry spells or arid climates may need additional water in the fall. After foliage appears in the spring, water once every week or two if it hasn’t rained.
Fertilize tulips when planting in the fall by adding a handful of compost and about a tablespoon of bonemeal to the hole. After the bulbs sprout in spring, feed them again with bone meal and compost or a slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer.
Protecting Tulip Bulbs Against Critters
Mice, chipmunks, voles, and other critters find tulip bulbs tasty and nutritious. If you’ve had problems with rodents eating your bulbs, here are a few ideas to try:
Mix tulips with other bulbs. Rodents don’t like daffodils, alliums, and fritillaria.
Sprinkle repellents in the hole when planting.
Crushed gravel or a sharp material, such as crushed oyster shells, can deter tunneling rodents.
Construct or purchase wire cages and plant the bulbs inside.
Overwintering Tulips
Tulips are fairly hardy; depending on the variety, they are hardy in as low as Zone 3. While winter protection of tulips in a garden bed is not mandatory, adding a layer of mulch over the soil protects the bulbs during the winter.
Getting tulips in containers through the winter is more challenging, as the bulbs are not sufficiently insulated and undergo frequent freeze-thaw cycles, which affect plant growth and flowering. If possible, bury the container in the ground as temperatures drop in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it too late to plant tulip bulbs?
Tulip bulbs don’t keep like seeds. If you missed the prime window, get them in the ground as soon as possible. You may still get some blooms, though they might be smaller.
Are tulips perennial?
Tulips are botanically perennials, but after centuries of breeding for color, shape, and size, many varieties return poorly in the following years. However, if you live in an area with four seasons, there is no need to dig them up as long as they are still blooming. If you want to plant tulips that return reliably year after year, look for varieties recommended for naturalizing.
Will tulip bulbs bloom the first year after planting?
When planted at the right time or properly chilled, tulips bloom in the spring after they are planted.
Can tulip bulbs grow indoors?
Absolutely! Growing tulips indoors in pots uses a technique called forcing—tricking the bulb and plant into blooming. Forcing is an easy way to add bright color to your home in drab winter weather.
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