How to grow and care for Tulips
Spring bulbs such as tulips brighten up flowerbeds, terraces and containers at the start of growing season. Tulips come in a vast variety of colours, shapes and sizes bringing easy interest to your garden. In this guide we answer the most frequent questions about planting tulips and explain how to plant tulip bulbs this autumn for a fantastic display in spring.
How do you plant a Tulip bulb?
There are 3 key steps to planting Tulips:
- Tulips like to be planted in sunny or part sunny spots or South / South East / South West facing areas in your garden. Use this guide for determining the aspect of your garden if you want to check if the space is suitable.
- Prepare the ground for planting. Make sure you understand how to prepare the soil in your garden, this Journal entry on determining your soil type will advice how to make sure the ground has enough drainage. The most important thing is to add grit to your soil.
- When to plant bulbs is important. Tulip bulbs should be planted October – December. It is important it is not left too late to plant bulbs as they can turn soft and dehydrated.
How many tulip bulbs do I need?
To determine how many bulbs are needed for a flowerbed, you need to know the ‘look’ you are going for. If you are planning on using the tulip bulbs with your Soto border, we suggest spacing the tulip bulbs 20cm apart (as a guide). If you are wanting to achieve a large group, we suggest 10cm apart. Wanting to create a stunning tulip display in a pot? Plant the bulbs closer together, but no closer than 5cm apart.
How deep should I plant tulip bulbs?
Plant tulip bulbs around 15cm deep. Most bulbs should be planted at a depth of roughly 2-3 times their own height.
My bulbs came before it is time to plant, how should I store them?
For best flowering results, store bulbs in a cool, frost free, place until you are ready to plant them. Remove bulbs from their packaging so they can get some fresh air, but make sure your pets don’t nibble them. It is important to plant bulbs within the same season that they are supplied.
Caring for tulips
How do I deadhead a tulip?
It is important to deadhead tulips, as this encourages the plant to put its energy into making bulbs for the next season. To deadhead tulips, cut the stem off just above the leaves using secateurs. For Darwin hybrid, botanical and kaufmannia tulips, if you want to use the bulb next year, leave the browning foliage on your tulips until all the leaves are brown. This allows the bulb to store energy to produce flowers the next year.
What care do I need to give the tulip bulbs over winter?
You don’t need to water bulbs as they grow, it is important the soil doesn’t get too wet as this can rot the bulb. In the spring check that the soil doesn’t get dry, especially in pots as these dry quicker. Use a watering can or hose to do this.
Will the tulips come back next year?
Some types of tulips (Darwin hybrid, botalnical and kaufmannia) can come back each year. Tulip Hakuun is an example of a Darwin hybrid. For these species leave the bulb in the ground and allow foliage and stems to die back naturally so that bulbs have enough energy to flower the following year. Cut Darwin and kaufmannia tulips just below the flower when it has faded.
More tips & plant guides
![How and when to feed your plants: A comprehensive guide](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Maxi-CropPlantFeed_3_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1714122855 591w)
How and when to feed your plants: A comprehensive guide
![A quick guide: What to do when tulips have faded](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/foxy_fox_square_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1713936802 591w)
A quick guide: What to do when tulips have faded
![Three tips for selecting a new indoor plant pot](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Indoor_Plants_2_-_Jamie_Shots_20.11.2023-090_1_1b3851e5-4d46-4026-9321-7416b25f97ac_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1708041572 591w)
Three tips for selecting a new indoor plant pot
![A quick guide: How much water your indoor plant needs](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Indoor_Plants_-_Jamie_Shots_16.11.2023-294_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1708040523 591w)
A quick guide: How much water your indoor plant needs
![The ultimate guide to watering indoor plants](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_6261_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1708038344 591w)
The ultimate guide to watering indoor plants
![How to plant daffodils](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/narcissusbridalcrown_blog_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1693642630 591w)
How to plant daffodils
![6 steps to planting Allium bulbs](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Allium_drumstick_square_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1693640535 591w)
6 steps to planting Allium bulbs
![How to grow and care for Tulips](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/p3_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1693325499 591w)
How to grow and care for Tulips
![Tulip groups explained](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/tulipwhitetriumphator_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1693319303 591w)
Tulip groups explained
![Hydrangea Winter Care](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/SotoProductShootLowQ-2758_4_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1670927376 591w)
Hydrangea Winter Care
![When is the best time to plant Lavender?](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/lave_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1669539874 591w)
When is the best time to plant Lavender?
![Why plant in the autumn](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_5444_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1667249397 591w)
Why plant in the autumn
![How to care for an Olive tree](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Olive_tree_blog_image_22_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1667906584 591w)
How to care for an Olive tree
![When is the best time to plant?](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/FIRST_PHOTO_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1663865918 591w)
When is the best time to plant?
![How to prune Astrantias](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Cover_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1657053330 591w)
How to prune Astrantias
![How to care for your Foxgloves](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Cover_Image_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1656392679 591w)
How to care for your Foxgloves
![How to prune a Hydrangea](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2140_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745631 591w)
How to prune a Hydrangea
![Receiving your plant order](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2145_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745645 591w)
Receiving your plant order
![What soil type do I have?](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Max_-_Soil_-_edited_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745366 591w)
What soil type do I have?
![Welcome to the Soto Masterclasses](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2618_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745268 591w)
Welcome to the Soto Masterclasses
![How to drill drainage holes in your pots](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2133_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745784 591w)
How to drill drainage holes in your pots
![How to pot a herb kitchen](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2123_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745803 591w)
How to pot a herb kitchen
![Maintaining your Mexican Feather Grass](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2134_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745764 591w)
Maintaining your Mexican Feather Grass
![How to plant a windowsill box](http://www.sotogardens.com/cdn/shop/articles/Soto_Product_Shoot_Low_Q-2135_591x785_crop_center.jpg?v=1651745732 591w)