Bulb

When to Plant Tulips

The herald of spring. Plant tulip bulbs in fall for a breathtaking display when you need it most — after a long winter.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

Low once planted

Days to Harvest

150-180

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

Frost Tolerance

very high

The Short Answer

Tulips are planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost date. They need winter cold to trigger their spring bloom. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Tulips

Tulips are the royalty of spring flowers but they carry a dirty secret: most modern hybrids are bred for show, not longevity. They bloom spectacularly the first year and decline rapidly after. For tulips that return reliably, choose species tulips (Tarda, Clusiana, Batalinii) or Darwin Hybrids. Plant 6 inches deep — deeper planting reduces the offset production that weakens the mother bulb. Squirrels are the #1 tulip pest; interplanting with daffodils (which squirrels won't touch) or laying chicken wire over the planting helps.

Fall Planting

Tulips are planted in fall, 8 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 6" deep, 5" apart.

Growing Tips

Plant pointed end up, 6 inches deep. Need 12-14 weeks of cold below 40°F to bloom. Plant in groups of 10+ for the best show.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Daffodils Hyacinths Pansies

Tulips Planting Dates by State

Click your state for tulips planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026