How to Save Tulip Bulbs?
How to Save Tulip Bulbs For A More Colorful Garden Next Spring
Tulips are one of the best-loved flower bulbs. Thanks to their dazzling colors and elegant shapes, they’re the stars of the spring garden. Learn how to save tulip bulbs for next spring and enjoy a second season of beauty.
How to Save Tulip Bulbs
Some miniature tulips naturalize well and will multiply and rebloom for many years, but most tulips will not rebloom if the bulbs are left in the ground. If you want to keep them, it’s best to dig them up and store them over the summer.
- After blooming, allow the foliage to wither and die back, then dig the tulips up.
- Clean off the soil and let the bulbs dry. Discard any damaged ones.
- Store the bulbs in nets or paper bags. Label them and keep in a cool dark place before replanting them in the fall.
How to Save Tulip Bulbs: Propagation
You can multiply your stock of tulips by propagating them. Some of your tulip bulbs may have developed offsets or small new bulbs. Split these from their parent bulbs and plant them at least 8" deep, either in pots in a cold frame or in a sheltered position in the garden. Keep the soil moist but not too soggy. Be patient - they may bloom the following spring or may need to grow for two seasons before they bloom.
How to Save Tulip Bulbs Grown in Pots
Growing in pots and containers places more stress on flower bulbs than growing them in the garden so tulips that have been grown in pots are unlikely to bloom again. It’s best to discard them after blooming and plant fresh bulbs in the fall.
Are you as addicted to tulips as we are? Now that you’ve learned how to save tulip bulbs, browse our tulip collection and discover an array of colors, shapes and exotic varieties for a gorgeous spring display.
