How to grow tulips
Is there anything that says “spring” more than tulips? From crisp buds to vibrant garden bouquets, tulips are a true seasonal favorite. Growing your own is easier than you might think—and with the right prep, you’ll be rewarded with stunning blooms after winter. Here’s your complete guide to growing tulip bulbs in the garden, in pots, or on a balcony.
When to tlant tulip bulbs
The best time to plant tulips is once the soil has cooled—usually from mid-September to November, depending on where you live. As long as the ground isn’t frozen, you can plant. A good rule of thumb: plant before the soil drops below 7°C (44°F).
Where do tulips thrive?
Sunny, well-drained, and a little sheltered.
Tulips love sunshine and hate soggy roots. Avoid heavy clay soils that trap water—if needed, improve your soil with sand or gravel. A raised bed or well-drained garden border also works great.
How to plant tulip bulbs
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Dig a hole about 15 cm deep
A simple rule: plant bulbs three times as deep as they are tall. Flatten the bottom of the hole a bit to help the bulb stand upright. -
Place the bulb with the pointy end up
That’s where the flower grows from and helps it push through the soil more easily. -
Leave space—but not too much
Plant bulbs about 8–10 cm apart. That gives them room to grow but keeps them close enough for a lush display. Want to plant them extra close? Go for it—but make sure the bulbs don’t touch each other to avoid rot. Keep at least 1–2 cm between each. -
Cover with soil and water lightly
A little moisture helps roots get started before winter. But don’t overwater—too much can cause bulbs to rot.
Growing tulips in pots
Live in an apartment or want blooms on your patio? Tulips grow beautifully in containers. Choose a frost-resistant pot with drainage holes and fill with well-draining soil. Plant just like in the garden—only tighter for a more dramatic spring display.
After blooming—what’s next?
Once tulips have finished blooming, you can snip off the flower—but leave the leaves until they wither completely. They feed the bulb for next season.
Some varieties return year after year, but if you want guaranteed blooms next spring, plant new bulbs each autumn.
Perennial tulips?
All tulips in our collection can bloom for several years if given the right conditions. We generally say they’re annuals—and if they come back, it’s a bonus. That’s true for nearly all tulips. Technically, no tulip is truly perennial, but if conditions are right, the bulb produces a side bulb during blooming which can flower the following year.
Some varieties are more likely to return, especially for home gardeners. These are often Darwin hybrids. In our collection, the best chances for repeat blooming come from Francois, Mystique Van Eijk, Salmon van Eijk, Salmon Impression, and Apricot Pride.
What do we mean by “right conditions”?
First, size matters. We only offer the largest bulb size—12+—for the best quality, stronger blooms, and better chance of reblooming.
It also helps if you live in southern Sweden (or a milder climate), where bulbs are less likely to freeze during harsh winters. The biggest risk to tulips not returning? Rot—especially during very wet winters.
Bulb lasagna
It may sound like dinner, but “bulb lasagna” is a planting method for layering spring-flowering bulbs. The result? A long-lasting parade of color.
In autumn, grab a large pot, hanging basket, or window box with good drainage. Add a layer of soil and start with the largest bulbs at the bottom—like tulips. Add more soil, then medium bulbs like daffodils, and finish with small ones like crocus at the top. Leave space between bulbs in each layer.
Come spring, they’ll bloom in succession—creating a stunning, staggered display from February through early June.
Deer and tulips
Looking forward to tulip blooms only to have deer munch them down? You’re not alone.
Try mixing in bulbs that deer dislike—like daffodils, scilla, winter aconite, or alliums. Another option: spray a deer-repellent like Trico Garden on your plants.
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated: 2025-06-03
