How to Grow Tulips

Tulips are one of the most beloved and easily recognisable spring flowers, known for their large, vibrant blooms. They come in a dazzling array of colours and varieties, from classic cup-shaped tulips to romantic fringed and lily-flowered types – all guaranteed to make an impact in beds and borders. What’s more, they make gorgeous cut flowers!

While some tulips can be grown from seed, it’s an extremely long process that can take years and so planting tulip bulbs is far easier. Planted in autumn in their flowering positions, they’ll require very little attention until they bloom the following spring. Read on to find out how to grow tulips step by step.

First things first, decide where to plant your tulip bulbs. Tulips can be grown in beds and borders or containers, but they need full sun to thrive. So, choose a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. If your garden doesn’t get much light, consider trimming something back or planting in raised beds.
Your tulips will grow bigger and brighter if you take the time to prepare the soil before planting. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Weed and aerate: First, clear the area of any weeds and debris, and loosen the soil with a garden fork. This will aerate the soil and make it easier for your tulips’ roots to grow.
Mix in organic matter: To promote soil fertility, dig in some organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mould. This will also help to improve moisture retention and drainage.
Check pH levels: Tulips don’t grow well in very acidic conditions – they thrive best in neutral soil. If the pH is below 6.0, you can add lime to increase the alkalinity.
If planting tulips in containers, fill the container with a mixture of three-parts multipurpose compost with one part grit to improve drainage.

The best time to plant tulip bulbs is in the autumn, between September and November. This timing allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter sets in. If you’ve bought bulbs early, store them in a dry place until autumn. Planting too early can lead to rot or premature leaf growth (which will then freeze in the winter). 

Planting tulip bulbs is easy: dig a hole that’s wide and deep enough for the bulb, and plant it with the pointed end facing up. Cover with soil and press down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly.

Spacing tulip bulbs

Tulip bulbs should be planted at a depth of two to three times the height of the bulb, around 6 to 8 inches deep. If your region experiences extremely cold winters, you can plant them a bit deeper to help protect them from frost.

Space your tulip bulbs around four to six inches apart (two to three times the width of each bulb) to give them room to grow. For a denser, fuller look, you can plant them a little closer together, around one bulb width apart. Just make sure they do not touch each other, as this can lead to rot.

If growing tulips for cut flowers, planting them in rows can make harvesting and cutting easier. Alternatively, plant them in zigzag patterns or clusters to create a more natural, visually appealing arrangement.

Tulips aren’t particularly needy as plants, so caring for them is straightforward. Water the bulbs right after planting to help them settle in. Then, you can leave them alone until the spring.

Around March, once your tulips are in active growth, water them during any prolonged dry periods (two to three weeks with no rain). Aim only to dampen the ground – avoid making the soil soggy or waterlogged. 

When your tulips’ first leaves emerge, you can also help support healthy growth by applying a potassium-rich garden feed or fertiliser (such as tomato feed) once a week. 

Deadheading tulips

Most tulips are treated as annuals and disposed of after flowering, as they tend to look best and bloom most reliably in their first year. However, if you’d like to encourage your tulips to flower again next year, you can increase your chances by deadheading spent blooms. This means cutting the stalk just above the leaves so that the plant conserves its energy rather than growing seedheads.
You can also help encourage reflowering by lifting the bulbs once the leaves turn yellow. Clean the bulbs, dry them thoroughly, and store them in a dark, dry place before replanting in autumn.

If you want to harvest your tulips for fresh flower arrangements or bouquets, choose blooms that are just beginning to show colour and have not yet fully opened – they’ll continue to open gradually indoors.

Harvest your tulips early in the morning, when the stems are fully hydrated. Alternatively, dig up your chosen bulbs, leaving the stem and flower attached. You can then keep them in the fridge for a few days before cutting. 

Use a sharp knife or garden shears and trim the stem at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area for water absorption. Once cut, immediately place your tulips in a vase filled with fresh water. Tulips continue to grow after being cut, so choose a vase at least half as tall as the stem.

To keep your tulips looking their best, change the water and trim the stems a little every day. With proper care, cut tulips can last for up to 12 days!

Grow Tulips with Johnsons Seeds

If you’re looking to fill your beds and borders with bold colour this spring, visit Johnsons Seeds. We have a fantastic selection of top-grade tulip bulbs in every colour and style, from single varieties to beautiful mixed bulb collections. All of our flower bulbs are hand-selected for quality and delivered in time for planting, complete with full growing instructions to help you achieve spectacular results.