Around the world, tulips are beloved harbingers of spring. One of the first flowers to appear when the weather starts to warm up, tulips come in a dazzling variety of colors and patterns. From lively pastels to dramatic blacks and purples, there’s a tulip for every garden style and every landscaping plan. Tulips also have a long and rich history and a lot of cultural significance, making them of special interest to gardeners who enjoy the stories behind their plants. So let’s dig in and learn all about tulips, how to grow them, and how to care for them!
Tulips and Safety
Tulips are beautiful and grow well in a variety of climates and gardens, making them perennial favorites. Tulips are also toxic to both people and pets, so please keep that in mind when considering them for your garden. If you have small children or animals that love to chew on things, you may want to consider another flower for now.
A Brief History of Tulips
Tulips are members of the lily family, particularly the genus Tulipa, and these lovely flowers likely originate in central Asia. Originally thriving in temperate mountainous areas, tulips are now grown around the world. Their popularity as a garden plant likely starts in medieval Persia, with tulips being introduced to Europe in the 16th century by gardeners in the Ottoman Empire. They quickly became popular, so popular the for a brief time bulbs were prized commodities and the market for them very nearly caused an economic crisis during the “tulip mania” in the Netherlands during the 1630s.
The word “tulip” is of uncertain origin. The most likely source of the word is the Turkish tülbent which in turn derives from the Persian dulband. Both words can mean “linen” but can also mean “turban”, the head wear often made from linen. As tulips do—with a little imagination—resemble turbans, it’s uncertain whether the Turkish and Persian names refer to the fabric or the hat!
Planting and Growing Tulips
We have a bit of bad news for our Northern Hemisphere readers: at the time of this writing it’s late March 2025. The best time to plant tulips is in the fall, so if you’d like flowers them in your garden this year you’ll need to look into buying full grown plants in containers and transplanting them. Spring planting tulips is possible, but the plant is unlikely to produce flowers the first year. The green leaves and stems are lovely on their own, however, so if you want to put in some tulips this year don’t let us deter you.
If you can be patient—and forgive our tardiness—planting tulips in the fall is the best choice for beautiful spring flowers. Tulip bulbs need the right number of days of cold winter weather in order to produces flowers, so autumn planting and a long winter’s rest are best. Gardeners in cooler zones should plant early in the fall—September or October—while those of us in warmer zones may consider planting in November or December. Tulip bulbs should be planted to a depth of two to three times the diameter of the bulb, so larger bulbs should be planted 6-8 inches/15-20 cm deep and smaller bulbs at a depth of 3-4 inches/8-10 cm.
Tulips prefer soil that is rich in organic materials—these flowers are relatively heavy feeders especially when grown as perennials—but also require good drainage in order to thrive. The bulbs make rot, mold, or become susceptible to disease if grown in overly damp soil. Damn soil also encourages slugs and snails, both of which will happily munch on tulips, eating both the green leaves and the flowers. As you might suspect, tulips also prefer full sun but will tolerate partial sun if other conditions are right. Different varieties of tulips bloom at different times, with different colors and patterns of flowers, so planting a variety can ensure that your landscape is wonderfully colorful throughout their growing season.
Tulips are technically perennials, but many varieties only last for three to five seasons. We recommend knowing what varietals you’ve planted, noting them in your garden journal or garden plan, and replacing them as needed.
Caring for Tulips
Tulips benefit from deadheading, so after the flowers start to fade remove them carefully to prevent the plant from spending time and energy producing seeds rather than saving for next spring’s growth. Of course you can let your tulips seed out if you wish to try growing them that way, but we don’t have an experience with that so please let us know how it works out. Tulip foliage should be left alone until it dies back naturally in the fall or winter, when it can be safely removed.
Fertilizing tulips is a contentious issues—like caring for tomatoes, every tulip gardener has their own approach that works for them. We find it best to top dress organic material like compost rather than relying on chemical fertilizer, but if a good organic fertilizer works best for you then have at it! Apply according to the directions on the package for best results.
For patio gardeners and indoor gardeners: rejoice! Tulips can be grown quite well in containers, provided their basic needs are met. A well draining container, good soil, and plenty of light are all best for tulips as we discussed earlier. Container tulips in warmer climates may benefit from a little afternoon shade and some extra water. Likewise, container tulips in places with very cold winters may need a bit of shelter from extreme low temperatures. Smaller varietals are easiest in indoor gardens, but the blooms can be just as beautiful as their outdoor siblings. Just be mindful of the safety issue we mentioned above if growing tulips indoors.
Tulips are Special
These flowers really are special—they serve as symbols of spring, are part of a number of religious celebrations including Easter and Nowruz, and are beloved for their beauty and variety across cultures and centuries. If you can do so, we hope you give tulips a try—even a few in a container can add interest to a garden space and remind us all how much color flowers can bring into our lives.
Leave a comment