Plant Care Instructions - Tulip Bulbs
This page will provide you with a thorough understanding of best practices in growing tulips. From planting your bulbs and caring for the plants, to troubleshooting solutions, we aim to equip you with everything you’ll need to grow them successfully!
If you’ve landed here by scanning our QR code following a purchase, welcome! This is a supplemental resource we have personally created to support your customer experience with our plants & bulbs. We place your satisfaction and overall encounter with our brand at the very top of our business, and it guides every process we execute along the way. Should you have any questions outside of what’s covered below, drop us a note and we’ll gladly provide additional guidance.
Guide for Planting Tulip Bulbs
Choose the right spot: Full sun to partial shade, with soil that drains well. Tulips dislike soggy soil.
Timing: Plant bulbs in fall, about 6–8 weeks before the ground freezes.
Depth & Spacing: Plant bulbs pointy side up, about 6–8 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart.
Soil boost: Mix in bone meal or bulb fertilizer when planting to encourage strong root growth.
Watering: Water after planting to settle soil. After that, tulips don’t need much extra water unless your area is very dry.
Troubleshooting Tulip Bulbs
Even experienced gardeners run into challenges, thus we placed this section right at the top of the page! Here are the most common problems with tulips — and how to fix them:
Problem: Tulip bulbs didn’t sprout in spring
Possible causes: Bulbs were planted too shallow or too deep, soil was overly wet, or bulbs were stored in warmth before planting.
Solution: Plant at the recommended depth, improve drainage, and always store bulbs in a cool, dry place until planting.Problem: Leaves appeared but no flowers
Possible causes: Bulbs are spent from the previous year, overcrowded, or lacking nutrients.
Solution: Divide overcrowded clumps, enrich the soil with bone meal, and remember that many tulips are best treated as annuals.Problem: Flowers were small or weak
Possible causes: Insufficient sunlight, undersized bulbs, or weeds competing for nutrients.
Solution: Plant tulips in sunny spots, start with large healthy bulbs, and keep the area weed-free.Problem: Animals dug up bulbs
Possible causes: Squirrels, chipmunks, voles, or deer.
Solution: Plant bulbs deeper, cover with chicken wire until frost sets in, or interplant with critter-resistant bulbs like daffodils.Problem: Foliage looked messy after blooming
Possible causes: Cutting foliage back too soon.
Solution: Always let leaves yellow and fade naturally before trimming to ensure bulbs store enough energy.Problem: Bulbs rotted in the ground
Possible causes: Poor drainage or overwatering.
Solution: Amend heavy soil with sand or grit, and never plant tulips in waterlogged areas.
Ongoing Care After Planting
Spring watering: Once tulips sprout, water only during dry spells. Tulips prefer evenly moist soil but can rot if overwatered.
Weed control: Keep the area around your tulips weed-free so the bulbs don’t compete for nutrients.
Fertilizing: Apply a light, balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth appears. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can weaken bulbs.
Deadheading: After tulips finish blooming, remove spent flowers to prevent the plant from using energy to make seeds.
Leave the leaves: Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally. This process recharges the bulb for next year’s blooms.
Summer care: Once foliage fades, tulips go dormant. You can either leave the bulbs in the ground or dig them up, dry them, and store them in a cool, dry place for fall replanting.
With proper care, your tulip bulbs will reward you with vibrant spring color and reliable growth!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should tulip bulbs be removed after flowering?
A: Not immediately. Wait until foliage dies back naturally. You can leave them in the ground to naturalize or dig them up for storage if you prefer to replant in fall.
Q: Do tulips come back every year?
A: Some tulips perennialize well, but many are best enjoyed as annuals. Good soil, proper planting depth, and leaving foliage intact will improve their chances of returning. All the varieties sold by Perennialville will be clearly indicated!
Q: Can tulips be grown in pots?
A: Yes! Use a deep container with well-draining soil. Protect pots from freezing temperatures by moving them to a sheltered area if needed.
Q: What fertilizer is best for tulip bulbs?
A: Bone meal or a balanced bulb fertilizer at planting time works best. In spring, a light feeding helps encourage strong blooms.