Houseplant Care

Best Way to Grow Tulips

Houseplant Care

Rupert Foxton-Smythe
June 22, 2025
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Discover the best way to grow tulips and create a stunning display in your garden with these expert tips and advice.

There are hundreds of types of tulips to choose from, singles, doubles, those with blotched flowers, feathery kinds, striped types and so on.

Key Information:

Tulips come in many types and can be divided into five groups: Early Flowering, The Mendels and Triumphs, The Darwins, The Old Fashioned tulips, and The Tulipa species.

Tulips prefer cultivated soil and dislike waterlogged conditions.
Plant bulbs in October or late September, with early varieties planted 3-4 inches deep and later varieties planted 6 inches deep.
Kaufmannianas are usually planted 8 inches deep, while parrot tulips should be planted 4 inches apart.

There are hundreds of types of tulips to choose from, singles, doubles, those with blotched flowers, feathery kinds, striped types and so on. I like to divide tulips arbitrarily into five groups: (1) Early Flowering, (2) The Mendels and Triumphs, (3) The Darwins, (4) The Old Fashioned tulips and (5) The Tulipa species. Tulips are very popular for bedding but they look well, too, when planted in clumps or drifts in a shrub border. Mauve coloured tulips, for instance, look well growing among lilacs. Tulips however are not the best of naturalizers and though they will put up with grass, they always prefer to grow in cultivated soil.

They are not particular as to the type of soil in which they grow but they hate waterlogged conditions. Prepare the ground properly as advised for hyacinths and see that the drainage is perfect. Plant the bulbs in October, or if they arrive earlier, late in September. Plant the early varieties 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 in) deep, the later varieties say, 150 mm (6 in) down. The larger the bulb on the whole, the deeper it is possible to plant. The Kaufmannianas are usually planted 200 mm (8 in) deep except for in the case of very heavy soil. The bulbs can be as close as 150 to 175 mm (6 to 7 in) apart except in the case of parrot tulips, which because they are shy bloomers had better go in 100 mm (4 in) apart. See that the bulbs are carefully bedded in the bottom of the hole, carefully dug out with a trowel, and firm the ground well over the top.

Most tulips are lifted annually and once the bulbs have dried off properly they are replanted in a similar position. Never allow the seed pods to develop but do let the leaves die down naturally so that all the plant food in them may be passed back to the bulbs. The Kaufmannianas and Per-sicas should never be disturbed.

The early flowering tulips, both single and double, flower in April and May. The Darwins, breeders, double late and single late tulips, flower in May, the Mendel and Triumph tulips usually flower at the end of April and early May and the old-fashioned English tulips like the Bizarres, Rembrandts and Parrots flower late in May, followed as a rule by the Tulipa species.

There are a very large number of varieties, so please consult a good bulb catalogue.

More Information on Best Way To Grow Tulips

Tulips, with their vibrant colors and elegant shapes, are a beloved flower that comes in a wide variety of types. From singles to doubles, and those with blotched flowers to feathery kinds, there is a tulip for every taste. One way to categorize tulips is by dividing them into five groups: Early Flowering, The Mendels and Triumphs, The Darwins, The Old Fashioned tulips, and The Tulipa species.

When it comes to growing tulips, it’s important to choose the right location and provide the proper care. Tulips are not particularly picky about the type of soil they grow in, but they do dislike waterlogged conditions. It’s crucial to ensure proper drainage by preparing the ground accordingly. Planting tulip bulbs should ideally be done in October or late September. The depth of planting depends on the variety, with early varieties planted 3-4 inches deep and later varieties 6 inches deep. Larger bulbs can be planted deeper. However, Kaufmannianas are an exception and are usually planted 8 inches deep.

To create a stunning display, consider planting tulips in clumps or drifts in a shrub border. They also pair beautifully with other flowers like lilacs. While tulips are not the best naturalizers, they can tolerate grass. However, they thrive best in cultivated soil.

After the tulips have bloomed and the leaves have died down naturally, it’s important to lift and replant the bulbs in a similar position. This allows the bulbs to receive the necessary nutrients. However, it’s worth noting that Kaufmannianas and Persicas should never be disturbed.

With their wide range of flowering times, tulips can bring color to your garden from April to late May. From early flowering tulips to the old-fashioned English tulips with unique names like Bizarres, Rembrandts, and Parrots, there is a tulip variety for every stage of spring.

For more information and a diverse selection of tulip varieties, consult a reputable bulb catalogue.

About The Author:

Rupert Foxton-Smythe

Horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast.

Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.