Can you plant the bulbs of a potted tulip?

Quick Answer

Yes, you can plant the bulbs of a potted tulip. Once the tulip has finished blooming, cut off the flower stem and leaves. Allow the bulb to remain in the pot and go dormant over the summer. In the fall, you can plant the dormant bulb in the ground or re-pot it with fresh soil to get it to bloom again the following spring. Make sure the bulb is planted at the proper depth according to the variety.

When to Plant Tulip Bulbs From a Pot

The best time to plant tulip bulbs is in the fall, any time from late September through late November. Tulips require a period of cold weather dormancy before they will bloom. If you plant the bulbs too early, they may sprout in the late fall and be damaged by hard freezes. Too late, and they may not meet their chilling requirement.

Here are some guidelines for when to plant tulip bulbs from pots:

• In Zone 3-4, plant bulbs in October
• In Zone 5, plant bulbs in late October to early November
• In Zone 6, plant bulbs in November
• In Zone 7-8, plant bulbs in late November to early December
• In Zone 9-10, plant bulbs in December

If your potted tulip has already bloomed during the spring, you can remove the bulb from the pot and store it in a cool, dry place over the summer. In the fall, plant the bulb outdoors according to the guidelines for your zone. Storing the bulb for a few months mimics the natural cycle the bulb would follow.

How to Prepare Potted Tulip Bulbs for Planting

Follow these steps when you are ready to plant your potted tulip bulbs:

1. Allow the leaves to die back completely after flowering. Do not cut or braid the leaves.
2. Once the leaves turn brown, cut them off at the base of the stem. Leave the bulb undisturbed in the pot.
3. Stop watering the pot and allow the soil to dry out completely.
4. Store the dormant bulb in a cool, dry place around 60-65°F for a few months.
5. Inspect the bulb in early fall. Discard any that are soft or show signs of rot.
6. Remove the outer papery covering on the bulb if it is loose or peeling.
7. Discard the old potting mix and replant in fresh soil enriched with compost or bulb fertilizer.
8. Alternatively, plant the prepared bulb directly in the ground in the fall.

It’s important not to cut back the leaves before they die back naturally. The leaves produce nutrients that are transported back into the bulb to refuel it for the next flowering season.

How Deep to Plant Tulip Bulbs

Tulip bulbs should be planted to a depth that is 2-3 times the height of the bulb. This means larger bulbs are planted deeper than smaller bulbs.

Here are some general planting depth guidelines by tulip type:

Tulip Type	Planting Depth
Single Early	4-6 inches deep
Double Early	5-7 inches deep
Triumph	6-8 inches deep
Darwin Hybrid	7-10 inches deep
Single Late	6-8 inches deep
Lily-Flowered	6-8 inches deep
Fringed	6-8 inches deep
Double Late	7-10 inches deep
Parrot	7-10 inches deep
Species	4-6 inches deep
Kaufmanniana	4-6 inches deep
Fosteriana	4-6 inches deep
Greigii	6-8 inches deep

Measure the height of your bulb from the bottom to the top where the flower stems emerge. Then plant the bulb at a depth 2-3 times that measurement.

How to Plant Tulip Bulbs

Follow these tips for planting tulip bulbs successfully:

• Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Tulips do not thrive in heavy, wet soil that doesn’t drain.
• Plant bulbs in groups or clusters rather than singly for best impact.
• Space bulbs 4-6 inches apart in the grouping.
• Mix in compost, bulb fertilizer, or bone meal into the soil before planting.
• Dig holes and plant bulbs pointy side up at the recommended depth.
• Backfill the holes with soil and water gently after planting.
• Consider adding mulch on top of the soil to insulate the bulbs from extreme cold.
• Mark the location with plant tags if planting bulbs in beds where other plants are growing.

If you receive potted tulips that are already in bloom and want to enjoy them in pots, keep them watered and in a sunny location. Once they are done flowering, you can plant the bulbs outside for future flowering seasons.

Growing and Care of Potted Tulips

Follow these tips if planting prepared bulbs in containers:

• Choose a pot with drainage holes that is at least 4-6 inches wider than the bulb.
• Use a well-draining potting mix formulated for bulbs.
• Plant only 1-2 bulbs per 6-8 inch pot.
• Allow the tops of the bulbs to slightly protrude from the soil.
• Water sparingly until the bulbs root and start growing.
• Move potted bulbs to a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors for chilling once shoots appear.
• After flowering, plants can be kept outside while foliage dies back.
• Allow bulbs to go dormant for 8-12 weeks after blooming.
• Repot in fresh soil in the fall before the ground freezes.

Potted tulips should be chilled for 10-15 weeks at temperatures between 35-48°F to initiate blooming. A cold garage or unheated porch works well. Monitor soil moisture during the chill period.

Aftercare of Potted Tulips

Potted tulips require a period of dormancy after flowering in order to store up energy to bloom again. Follow these tips for aftercare:

• Allow the foliage to die back completely before removing it.
• Discard the spent potting soil and compost the dead foliage.
• Brush off any loose outer skins from the bulb.
• Store dormant bulbs in a cool, dry place for 8-12 weeks.
• Check bulbs periodically and discard any that are soft or diseased.
• Repot in fresh soil enriched with compost or bulb fertilizer.
• Chill bulbs for 10-15 weeks before placing back in a sunny spot indoors or outside.
• Tulip bulbs can be forced to rebloom after only 8 weeks of dormancy but may produce smaller blooms.

With proper aftercare, most tulip bulbs can be induced to flower again for 2-3 years. Over time, bulbs may split and produce smaller flowers. Discard bulbs that fail to flower after a couple of years.

Storing Tulip Bulbs Over the Summer

Tulip bulbs require a dry dormant period over the summer to prepare for re-blooming. Here are some tips on summer bulb storage:

• Lift bulbs from pots or ground once foliage has died back.
• Brush off loose dirt but don’t wash the bulbs.
• Remove any dead roots and stems.
• Allow bulbs to dry out of soil in a shaded, well-ventilated spot for 1-2 weeks.
• Place bulbs in breathable mesh or paper bags.
• Label bags by color and variety if storing different types together.
• Choose a storage spot that maintains 50-60°F and low humidity.
• Basements, garages and closed cupboards work well for storage.
• Periodically check bulbs, discarding any that are soft or show signs of mold.

Proper summer storage prevents bulbs from rotting and allows them to recharge for the next growing season. Well-stored bulbs will produce flowers year after year when properly planted in the fall.

What Soil is Best for Planting Tulip Bulbs?

Tulips thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. Here are some tips for preparing soil for bulb planting:

• Choose a sunny spot with soil that drains readily after rain or irrigation.
• Amend clay soils with compost to improve drainage before planting.
• Mix compost, leaf mold or peat moss into sandy soils to help retain moisture.
• Add bulb fertilizer or bone meal to enrich the soil with phosphorus and potassium.
• Adjust the soil pH to 6.0-6.8 for best nutrient availability.
• Dig and loosen the soil to a depth of 10-12 inches prior to planting.
• Mix in organic material like compost or aged manure to enrich the soil.
• Rake and smooth out the planting beds to create an even surface.

Well-prepared soil provides the drainage and nutrients tulips need to fuel growth and flowering. Take time to improve and enrich the soil before planting bulbs.

Common Problems When Planting Tulip Bulbs

Avoid these common mistakes when planting tulip bulbs:

• Planting too early before soil cools – Tulips may sprout prematurely and become damaged by hard freezes if planted too early in fall.
• Planting too shallow – Bulbs planted at improper depth may fail to flower or produce smaller blooms.
• Spacing bulbs too close together – Bulbs planted less than 4 inches apart will compete for nutrients and bloom poorly.
• Forgetting to chill potted bulbs – Container-grown bulbs require 10-15 weeks of cool temperatures to trigger flowering.
• Allowing soil to dry out – Consistent moisture is vital while bulbs root after fall planting.
• Planting in heavy, boggy soil – Tulips suffer root rot if soil doesn’t drain well.
• Leaving foliage on too long in spring – Yellowing leaves should be removed promptly after flowering finishes.
• Failing to cure bulbs after digging – A short drying period helps extend bulb storage time.
• Storing bulbs in hot, humid conditions – Improper summer storage causes bulbs to rot before fall planting.
• Replanting bulbs too frequently – Tulip bulbs begin to decline if lifted and replanted annually.

Pay close attention to planting depth, spacing, soil conditions and storage to achieve the best results from tulip bulbs.

Conclusion

Yes, you can certainly plant the bulbs from potted tulips to enjoy their flowers year after year. Follow best practices for preparing the bulbs, selecting planting sites, proper planting depth, soil preparation, and post-bloom care. With attention to their cultural requirements, tulip bulbs can continue providing spring color almost indefinitely when cycled through a yearly dormant period. Take care not to over-plant bulbs in the same location and discard any that fail to thrive after several seasons. By providing appropriate conditions, you can continue enjoying the gorgeous blooms of tulips spring after spring.