In 17th-century Holland, a single tulip bulb could buy you a house! These blossoms weren’t just beautiful but legendary. Tulips represent rebirth, fresh starts, and even perfect love.
And now, you can grow your own without spending a fortune. I’ll walk you through how to grow tulips at home in this ultimate guide.
5 Types of Tulips To Grow
There are over 3000 tulip varieties. Here are 5 most common types of tulips that are easy for you to grow.
| Category | Single Tulip | Double Tulip | Ruffled Tulip | Fringed Tulip | Lily-shaped Tulip |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–8 | 3–8 | 3–8 | 3–8 | 3–8 |
| Size (H x W) | 3” x 1” | 2” x 1” | 3” x 1” | 3” x 1” | 3” x 1” |
| Water | Average | Average | Average | Average | Average |
| Sun | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring | Late Spring | Mid Spring | Mid Spring | Late Spring |
Single Tulip
These classic cup-shaped tulips are a favorite of many gardeners. Tall, and easy to grow, they look stunning anywhere (beds, borders, and containers)
Popular picks: Andre Rieu, Big Smile, Blushing Beauty.
Double Tulip
This type is also called peony-flowered tulips. This is because they shine with lush and layered petals. They are beautifully fragrant and perfect for cutting.
Popular picks: Abigail, Blue Diamond, Double Sugar.
Ruffled Tulip
You can also call it Parrot Tulips. They have playful, ruffled petals that can add a striking highlight to any garden.
Popular picks: Black Parrot, Apricot Parrot, Bright Parrot.
Fringed Tulip
You can easily recognize these tulips by their elegant fringed edges on tall blooms. They are fast-growing and perfect for both gardens and indoor displays.
Popular picks: Arma, Blue Heron, Cummins.
Lily Shaped Tulip
You will love their slim, pointed petals with a graceful curve. Delicate yet show-stopping. You should grow them in sheltered spots to avoid strong winds.
Popular picks: Aladdin, China Pink, Elegant Lady.
How to Grow Tulips from Bulbs
First, pick some healthy tulip bulbs from a trusted store. And then follow my instructions to grow your own tulips:
| – Tip to Buy Tulip Bulbs: Pick heirloom or hybrid tulip bulbs. – Heirloom: Come up yearly. Higher risks of encountering diseases. – Hybrid: This may not come up yearly. |
Step 1 – Time to Plant The Tulip Bulbs
The perfect time to start planting tulips is in the fall. Make sure that the soil cools to 40–50°F. If not, plant them in pots or containers instead.
Always plant before the first frost!
Planting time by zone:
- Zones 3–5: September
- Zones 6–7: October
- Zones 8–9: December
Check your Hardiness Zones here.
Step 2 – Prepare The Soil
Tulip bulbs love well-drained soil with a pH level between 6.0–7.0. Place them in a sunny spot that can get some afternoon light. Be sure to avoid areas that are windy or rainy.
| Soil mix for tulip bulbs: Mix 3″ of flower garden soil into the top 6″ of your garden soil. |
Step 3 – Plant The Bulbs
- Dig a hole about 8 inches deep.
- Place 10 tulip bulbs together (pointy facing up)
- Sprinkle some 10-10-10 flower fertilizer in the hole
- Cover the bulbs with your prepared soil mix.
- Water the tulip bulbs for 15 seconds right after planting. Then, water them once a week during the first month.
| Spacing tip: Keep each group of 10 bulbs about 4 inches apart. |
Step 4 – Take Care of Your Bulbs (Winter to Summer)
| Season | What To Do |
| Winter | Mulch your flower bed when the winter comes. Then leave it alone. |
| Spring | Once leaves appear, it’s time to add fertilizer. Water once a week until the tulips bloom. |
| After the petals fall off, deadhead the flowers. Keep the leaves for 6 weeks. | |
| Summer | Cut stems & leaves at the soil line. No watering, no fertilizer. |
How to Grow Tulips in Pots
Tulips also grow beautifully in containers or pots, too! Just remember to move your pot to a cool and dry place before the first frost comes.
Then, in the water, when you see some green shoots appear, move the pot to a sunny area.
Water them weekly.
| Pro Tip:Pick 5-gallon container/ potThis gives your tulips the space to grow fullest |
How to Feed Your Tulips
You need to wait until the tulip flowers begin falling off. The best pick is Tulip Fertilizer to help your bulbs store energy for next year’s bloom.
Tip: Make sure to follow the instructions properly for the best result.
Last Words
It is not so hard to plant a tulip, right? Just follow my guide on “How to grow tulips”, and you will see them bloom in your garden soon. You can cut tulip flowers and arrange them in a vase to decorate your home space.
