Tulips are a classic spring flower that can brighten up any garden with their cheery blooms. Many people buy potted tulips from nurseries and grocery stores when they are in flower. But what should you do with potted tulips after they bloom? Can you plant potted tulips in the garden for them to return year after year?
The short answer is yes, you can plant potted tulips in the garden after they finish blooming. However, there are some important factors to consider to help ensure success when transitioning potted tulips to the garden. In this complete guide, we will cover:
- Caring for potted tulips before planting
- When to transplant potted tulips
- How to plant potted tulips in the garden
- Aftercare and getting tulips to return
- Reasons potted tulips may not bloom again
Caring For Potted Tulips Before Planting
Potted tulips require some special care if you wish to transplant them to the garden after blooming Here are a few tips
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Keep them well watered while in bloom indoors. Letting pots dry out can damage bulbs
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Move potted tulips outdoors after blooming finishes. This will allow leaves to fully mature in natural light.
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Allow leaves to remain for 6 weeks after blooms fade to nourish bulbs for next year.
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Avoid cutting foliage early – this will decrease chances of reblooming.
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Fertilize bulbs once flowers are finished using a balanced fertilizer.
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Allow soil to dry between waterings once moved outdoors.
Giving potted tulip bulbs the proper care before transplanting them will set them up for success in their new garden home.
When to Transplant Potted Tulips into the Garden
Timing is important when it comes to moving potted tulips into the garden. Here are the optimal times:
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Early fall (October/November) – Best time overall to transplant tulips.
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After spring soils have warmed – Wait until daytime temps reach 60°F.
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After leaves yellow & dry – Can transplant anytime leaves are dried up.
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Avoid transplanting in summer – Heat stresses bulbs.
Transplanting in fall allows roots to establish before winter dormancy. Spring planting works but increases risk of stressing bulbs.
How to Plant Potted Tulips in the Garden
Follow these steps for successfully planting potted tulips in the garden:
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Choose a spot with full sun to part shade & good drainage.
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Prepare soil by mixing in compost; tulips prefer nutrient-rich soil.
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Dig holes or trenches 2-3 times as deep as the bulb.
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Gently remove tulip bulbs from pots, keeping roots intact.
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Place bulbs in holes with pointed end up; spacing 4-6 inches apart.
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Backfill holes and water thoroughly after planting.
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Consider adding rooting hormone powder to stimulate root growth.
Always handle bulbs gently when transplanting to avoid damaging roots or basal plate.
Aftercare & Getting Potted Tulips to Return
Give transplanted tulips some extra care in their first year to encourage reblooming:
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Provide 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or watering.
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Mulch over planted area to regulate soil temperature.
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Fertilize bulbs in fall and early spring using bulb fertilizer.
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Allow foliage to fully ripen 6 weeks after blooming.
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Avoid cutting leaves early even if they look unsightly.
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Dig and divide crowded clumps every 2-3 years after foliage ripens.
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Protect bulbs from rodents like voles and squirrels which may dig them up.
Patience and proper aftercare is key! It may take 2-3 years for transplanted tulips to bloom well.
Reasons Potted Tulips May Not Bloom Again
There are a few reasons why potted tulips sometimes fail to rebloom after being planted in the garden:
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Planted too shallowly – Proper depth is critical.
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Transplanted at the wrong time – Fall or after leaves mature is best.
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Damage to basal plate or roots during planting.
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Cut foliage too early before ripening finished.
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Insufficient watering the first year.
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Soil drainage issues or heavy clay causing rot.
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Some tulip varieties are poor rebloomers under any conditions.
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Rodents may have dug up and eaten bulbs.
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Bulbs may have entered dormancy already if stored too warm.
If potted tulips fail to rebloom for several years, it is likely time to replace them with fresh bulbs. But following the guidance above will give them the best shot at thriving when transplanted into the garden!
Potted vs. Garden Tulips: What’s the Difference?
You may be wondering – are potted tulips any different than regular tulips sold for garden planting? There are a couple key differences:
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Potted varieties – Bred to be compact with big, long-lasting blooms. Often poor rebloomers.
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Garden tulips – Greater diversity of sizes, forms, colors. Tend to be better for reblooming.
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Potted bulbs – Often pre-cooled to bloom on schedule indoors. May enter dormancy if stored warm.
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Garden bulbs – Require chilling period before planting to properly bloom in spring.
While you can certainly plant potted tulips in the garden, for best results it’s ideal to select varieties labeled for garden or landscape use if you want them to naturalize and return each year.
Bottom Line
Planting potted tulips in the garden can allow you to enjoy these colorful spring bulbs year after year. Transition potted tulips properly, choose optimal planting times, and provide good follow up care to give them the greatest chance at reblooming successfully. Although not guaranteed, taking a few simple steps when planting potted tulips can extend the joy of their blooms beyond just one season!
Learn How to Care For Tulips in a Pot or Container For a Dazzling Spring Display
Create a lovely spring display with colorful tulips planted in a pot. Plant them alone or with other spring flower bulbs, like daffodils, to make the blooming season last longer.
How to Care For Tulips in a Pot Outside
Tulip bulbs in a pot should be planted in the fall. Choose a pot with drainage holes. Half fill with soil or compost and plant the tulip bulbs with their pointed ends upwards. You can plant them close together, but make sure the tulips don’t touch. If they do, they’ll die. Fill in with soil and water well, then set in a sheltered position for the winter. When the tulips start to grow in spring, move the pot to a sunny position.
Tulip Aftercare In Pots! What To Do When Flowering Is Over | Balconia Garden
How do you plant tulips outside?
Plant the tulips outdoors any time in spring, beginning when the soil is workable. If the leaves are still green, wait until they turn brown and remove them. Choose a sunny location, preferably one that receives relatively little water in summer. Carefully dig the bulbs out of the pot and dig a hole 8 inches deep for each bulb.
Can tulips grow in pots?
To grow tulips in pots, you’ll need the right pot, soil, and approach. Because tulips need to be dormant for 12-16 weeks before they can bloom, you’ll need to expose them to cool temperatures to replicate the weather in the fall. If done properly, your tulips will bloom in the spring or summer and can make a beautiful addition to your decor.
How do I choose a pot for tulips?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a pot for tulips. The pot should be large enough to accommodate the size of the bulb and should have adequate drainage holes. Clay pots are a popular choice because they are porous and allow the soil to breathe. Another option is a plastic pot, which is lightweight and easy to move.
Can tulip bulbs be transplanted outside?
Forced tulip bulbs growing in pots add bright color to your home in late winter and early spring. Forcing—the process of planting bulbs indoors so that they bloom sooner than they would outdoors—uses up a lot of the plant’s energy, but it’s still possible to transplant the used bulbs outdoors for future blooming.