How to Grow Tulips in Gravel

Forcing tulip bulbs gives the house color during the winter.

Growing tulips in gravel combines two different growing processes: hydroponics and bulb forcing. Hydroponics grows plants with no dirt, while bulb forcing grows flowers outside of the plant’s normal blooming season. Although forcing tulip bulbs in water involves gravel, the small rocks keep the tulip bulbs from sitting directly in water, supported and growing in an upright position.

Things You'll Need

• Tulip bulbs
• Refrigerator
• Plastic bag
• Bowl
• Water
• Gravel

Instructions

1. Keep the tulip bulbs in the refrigerator for approximately 12 to 13 weeks. Bulbs need a constant cold temperature of 35 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit to bloom. Store the bulbs in a plastic bag with a few holes punched in it. This keeps the bag from holding in moisture and rotting the bulbs.

2. Fill a sturdy bowl three-quarters full with gravel.

3. Space the bulbs one-half to 1 inch apart on top of the gravel. Push the bulbs gently into the gravel until they stand upright on their own.

4. Fill the bowl with water until it reaches the bulbs’ bottom. Do not submerge the bulbs, as this causes them to rot.

5. Set the bowl in a cool dark area for four to eight weeks. A temperature of around 50 F is ideal. This allows the root system to grow and develop. Replenish the bowl with fresh water once a week.

6. Move the bowl into a sunny area next to a window. Shoots from the bulbs should soon start appearing. Keep water in the bowl, as your tulips grow and bloom.

Tips & Warnings

• Discard the tulip bulbs after the flowers bloom. Once they bloom, the bulbs may grow new leaves if used again, but will generally not bloom.

• Force tulip blooms for the winter holidays by refrigerating the tulip bulbs in July. Remove them for forcing around the beginning of October.

References

• University of Minnestoa Extension; Forcing Bulbs for Indoor Beauty in Winter; Deborah L Brown, et al.; 2009