The most iconic of all flower bulbs, tulips have a simple, elegant beauty that has been attracting gardeners for hundreds of years. Standing regal yet charming in your garden, borders, containers or window boxes, they come in an incredible range of colors and sizes, and are easy to cut for a splendid spring bouquet.
QUICK GUIDE
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WHEN
Plant in fall
Bloom in spring
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WHERE
Hardiness zone 3-8
Full sun or partial shade
Well-draining soil
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WATER
Once after planting
Moderately in spring
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WIDTH & DEPTH
4-5” apart
5-7” deep
How to plant tulips in your garden:
- Wait until the soil is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November.
- Pick a spot in your garden that has well-draining soil and gets full sun or partial shade.
- Plant the tulip bulbs about 5-7” deep and 4-5” apart, placing them in the ground with their pointy ends up.
- Water well once and wait for spring
- After the tulips have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.
How to plant tulips in pots or containers:
- Wait until it’s cold outside, with a soil temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. In the North this will be in September or October, in the South in October or November.
- Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun or partial shade.
- Find a well-draining container and fill it with loose soil, making sure water won’t gather and stay at the bottom.
- Plant the tulip bulbs about 5-7” deep and 3-4” apart, placing them in the soil with their pointy ends up. Since containers often have limited space, you can also experiment with placing the bulbs closer together, but make sure they never touch.
- Water well once and wait for spring, or, when you live in hardiness zone 3-7, water well and bring the containers indoors, letting them spend the winter in a cool spot like an unheated garage or basement.
- After the tulips have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you store tulip bulbs in the garage?
As long as the space remains cool, dry, and dark you can store tulip bulbs in the garage. "It is essential to monitor the temperature to ensure it doesn't become excessively warm, which could negatively impact the bulbs," says DePaola.
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Do tulip bulbs need to be refrigerated?
You can store tulips in the refrigerator but avoid storing them with anything that creates ethanol, like fruits and vegetables.
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How long will tulip bulbs last unplanted?
When kept in suitable conditions, tulip bulbs can remain unplanted for up to one year. Keeping them away from moisture and heat will help prolong their longevity.