The Complete Guide to Planting Bulbs in Pots

Even though it seems like a long way off, now is the time to plant tulips, crocuses, and other spring flowers. You can plant bulbs in the garden or in containers so that you can add color to your front door, deck, or patio right when you need it most in the spring. The best way to plant like a professional is to use the “Lasagna Planting” method of layering bulbs. Read on for tips on making the most of your fall planting!.

Planting bulbs in pots is a fun and easy way to add color to your patio, deck, or front entrance. When properly planted and cared for, bulbs grown in containers will reward you with a gorgeous display of flowers in spring. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right pot and soil to planting techniques and overwintering care. With just a little effort, you can have a pot full of cheerful spring blooms.

Why Plant Bulbs in Pots?

Growing bulbs in containers offers many advantages over planting them directly in the garden

Portability: Potted bulbs are easy to move around and position where you want them. Place them by your front door to welcome guests, on the patio for an extra pop of color, or wherever you need a pick-me-up.
Space saver: If you have limited yard space, planting bulbs in pots allows you to still enjoy them without needing an in-ground garden. Apartment dwellers can even grow bulbs on balconies or patios.
Creative combinations Mixing different types of bulbs together in one pot allows for unique color pairings and extended bloom times, You have more control over bulb combinations when planting in a container

Protect bulbs: Growing bulbs in pots prevents them from being dug up by animals or damaged by digging in the garden. The pot keeps the bulbs and roots protected.
Control over placement: Potted bulbs won’t spread and naturalize like in-ground plantings. You can arrange and move them exactly where you want year after year.

Choosing the Right Pot

You can plant bulbs in almost any type of container as long as it has drainage holes. Here are some pot options to consider:

Clay or ceramic pots: These add a classic, decorative look but can be very heavy. Choose these for permanent placements.
Plastic pots: Affordable and lightweight plastic pots are great for portability. You can easily move them around.

Cache pots: For a two-pot system, plant bulbs in a plastic nursery pot then place it inside a decorative cache pot. This allows you to change out plantings.
Window boxes or other long planters: These work well for mass bulb plantings. Try mixing early, mid, and late blooming bulbs.

For optimal growth, choose pots that are at least 6 inches deep and have drainage holes. Bulbs don’t like soggy soil. If your container doesn’t have holes, add some by drilling through the bottom. Place pot feet under the planter to allow air flow beneath.

Use a Quality Potting Mix

Any multipurpose potting soil will work well for growing bulbs in containers. Or you can make your own mix by combining equal parts of potting soil, compost, and a lightweight filler such as perlite or vermiculite. This gives the right balance of drainage and moisture retention.

When planting bulbs, work some slow-release bulb fertilizer into the potting mix according to package directions. This will feed bulbs over time. Bone meal or compost are other good amendments.

If your potting soil contains peat moss, soak the mix in water before planting bulbs. This prevents the peat from repelling water later on.

Select the Best Bulbs for Containers

Almost any spring-blooming bulb can be grown successfully in a pot. Some top choices include:

Tulips – With their cheerful, brightly colored blooms, tulips are perfect for pots. Try ‘Queen of the Night’ tulips for dramatic purple-black blooms.
Daffodils – These spring favorites feature large, long-lasting flowers. Plant clusters of double daffs like ‘Replete’ for maximum impact.
Crocus – Delicate crocus add early season cheer. Plant in drifts of multiple colors for a rainbow of blooms.

Hyacinths – Extremely fragrant and available in a huge range of colors, hyacinths make stunning container plantings.
Alliums – Let alliums such as ‘Purple Sensation’ add exciting height and texture contrast in your pots.

For the biggest impact, combine early, mid, and late blooming bulbs together in one container. This extends the show and adds layers of interest.

Follow Proper Planting Depth

Bulbs need to be planted at the right depth below the soil surface. As a general rule of thumb, plant bulbs 2-3 times as deep as the height of the bulb itself. Here are typical planting depths:

Large bulbs like hyacinths and tulips – 6 inches deep
Daffodils – 5-6 inches
Small bulbs like crocus – 3-4 inches

Grape hyacinths – 3 inches

Err on the side of planting a little deeper rather than too shallow. Place bulbs with the pointy end facing up. Pack soil firmly over top of bulbs.

Try Unique Potting Methods

For the best bulb displays in containers, it pays to use special planting techniques:

Lasagna bulb layering: Start by filling the pot one-third full with soil. Place your largest bulbs on top (such as tulips or alliums). Cover with 2-4 inches of soil. Next add a layer of medium bulbs like daffodils. Top with another 2-4 inches of mix. Finally, plant a top layer of your smallest bulbs like crocus or grape hyacinths.

Cluster planting: For a full, natural look, plant bulbs in clusters of 3, 5 or 7 bulbs of the same variety. Dig one large hole instead of individual holes. This works well for tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
Mixed drifts: For a more informal look, scatter different varieties of compatible bulbs randomly across the surface before covering with soil.

Caring for Potted Bulbs

Give bulbs in containers a little extra care and attention for best results:

Water thoroughly after planting and whenever soil is dry. Don’t overwater or soil will become soggy.
Place pots in a sunny, cold spot like a porch or garage once fall planting is done. They need a cold period of 12-15 weeks.

Check pots regularly and water during winter if soil is dry. Don’t let pots freeze solid.
In spring after the last frost, move pots to their final display location and enjoy the blooms!
Fertilize bulbs with a liquid feed when foliage appears. Stop feeding once flowers begin opening.

Once bulbs finish flowering, you can leave foliage in pots until it dies back for healthiest bulbs. Or for aesthetics, trim faded flowers but leave foliage to photosynthesize.
Allow foliage to die down naturally before removing it. This feeds the bulb for next year’s flowering.

Overwintering Potted Bulbs

Bulbs planted in containers need special winter care since pots are more exposed to freezing temperatures than garden soil. Here are some overwintering options:

Heel pots into a vacant space in your garden. Bury them so rim is level with soil surface and mulch heavily.
Place bulbs under the eave overhang of your house or under a porch for added freeze protection.

Bury pots up to their rim in a mound of bark mulch, leaves, or compost.
Move pots into an unheated garage, shed, or cold frame for winter.
Surround pots with straw bales, leaves, or other insulating material if storing outside.

Check stored pots occasionally and water sparingly if soil is dry. Pots must stay cold but not freeze solid for 12-15 weeks for proper root development.

In spring, remove any insulation and move pots back into the sunlight so bulbs can grow and bloom. Enjoy your potted bulbs indoors or outdoors. With just a little preparation in fall and care over winter, bulbs planted in containers will provide gorgeous spring color. Get planting!

The Lasagna Planting Method With Fall Bulbs

Gardeners who don’t have enough room for a full garden or who want to get the most out of their spring blooms in any space can plant bulbs in containers. Growing bulbs in pots will add a colorful accent to patios, decks, a balcony, or an entryway. In the confined space of a planter, you can squeeze in extra bulbs by layering them.

At the bottom of your pot, put a layer of soil.
Put the biggest bulbs, like tulips or alliums, at the bottom and cover them with soil.
Try Daffodils or Hyacinths, which are medium-sized bulbs, for the middle layer. Top with soil.

When you get to the top, plant the smallest bulbs, like crocuses or grape hyacinth. The very tips of the last layer of bulbs should be just below the soil’s surface. There should be at least an inch or two of soil above the bulbs.

Tips For Planting Bulbs In Containers

To improve the layering effect and lengthen the bloom time, choose bulbs that bloom at different times. In the example at the top of the page, early-spring Crocus flowers are shown first, then mid-spring Daffodils, and finally late-spring Tulips.
Plant your bulbs in a plastic pot to make it easier to move the pots around. You can move heavy ceramic or terracotta pots around in the spring while they’re empty. Then, put your plastic pot of bulbs in the decorative pot.

It will get much colder for bulbs that are planted in containers above ground than for bulbs that are planted in the ground. They may need to be protected over the winter. See below for tips on overwintering containers.
Did you forget to plant bulbs in the ground this fall? You can still get them through the planting season by planting them in containers at least 12 weeks before your last frost date. This will give the bulbs time to chill.

Planting Spring Blooming Bulbs in Containers! // Garden Answer

FAQ

Can bulbs be planted in pots?

Growing bulbs in pots will add a colorful accent to patios, decks, a balcony, or an entryway. In the confined space of a planter, you can squeeze in extra bulbs by layering them. Place a layer of soil at the bottom of your container. Place the largest bulbs at the bottom, such as Tulips or Alliums, and top with soil.

How deep should a bulb be in a pot?

The depth and spacing of planted bulbs differ depending on the size of the bulb and whether it is a border bulb or a container bulb. In general, bulbs should be planted 2-3 times their diameter deep and 1-2 times their diameter apart.

What is the best soil mix for bulbs in pots?

Use a peat-free, multi-purpose compost – you could add some horticultural grit for added drainage. For the best display, bulbs in pots are best replaced annually. Add some crocks at the bottom of the pot for drainage. Add some compost at the base of the pot.

Are bulbs better in pots or the ground?

In fact, bulbs often do better in pots than in the ground because pots provide better drainage, critical for their long-term survival. Also, gophers and other underground creatures will be foiled since they can’t find their juicy favorites, especially tulips. Don’t be afraid to pack a pot full of bulbs, Stoven said.

How do you plant bulbs in a pot?

Start with a layer of soil before you plant your bulbs. You can plant more than 1 type in 1 pot, just make sure you layer the bulbs. Once you’re done planting, water the pots regularly and make sure the pot gets sunlight. Choose a pot with drainage holes. Drainage holes are necessary to let any excess water out of the pot.

How do you plant flowers in a pot?

Go for a selection that includes early, mid and late spring bloomers. Starting with the larger later flowering bulbs plant them at roughly three times their height below the pot’s brim. Repeat, gradually layering bulbs and compost, ending with the earliest flowering bulbs just below the soil’s surface.

Can you plant bulbs in pots?

Planting bulbs in pots is a great way to enjoy the beauty of springtime flowers even if you don’t have much garden space. Make sure you get a big enough pot to accommodate your bulbs and a high-quality potting mix. Start with a layer of soil before you plant your bulbs. You can plant more than 1 type in 1 pot, just make sure you layer the bulbs.

How do you plant a tulip plant in a pot?

Or pack more punch in one pot by mixing types of spring bulbs. Plant your bigger bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, deeper. Cover them with soil, then plant smaller bulbs directly above them, such as crocus, grape hyacinth, or snowdrops .