How to Grow Tulips in Containers

The tulip is a favorite spring flower, but did you know you could grow tulips indoors anytime of the year? Growing tulips in containers is just as easy, maybe even easier than sowing them on the ground. You could be anywhere in the world, during any season of the year, and all you need is a bunch of dormant tulip bulbs, your favorite decorative flowerpots and some space in a refrigerator. Grow your tulips in containers indoors by following these simple steps.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bunch of tulip bulbs
• Decorative flowerpots
• Potting soil
• Refrigerator space
• Water

1. Select your favorite decorative flowerpots and containers and fill halfway with potting soil.

2. Arrange bulbs in potting soil.

   Choose the best tulip bulbs (discard bulbs that are soft, heavily blemished or rotting) and position them side by side on the potting soil.

3. Cover with soil and water thoroughly.

   Cover the bulbs with potting soil and water thoroughly, letting excess water drain out.

4. Refrigerate containers.

   Refrigerate flowerpots for 8 to 12 weeks.

5. Move pots to bright area.

   Take flowerpots out of refrigeration and place in a bright area.

6. Water when the first leaves start to sprout, and keep soil evenly moist.

7. Wait for flowers to bloom.

   Wait for the flowers to bloom, and enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• The flowerpots and containers should have water drainage holes in the bottom to prevent soaking that causes bulbs to rot.

• Arrange the bulbs in the container such that the flat side of the bulb is facing the edge of the container. This way, the first and biggest leaf grows away from the center of the arrangement and drapes down the side of the container.

• Keep the refrigerated pots away from ripening fruits and vegetables that emit gases which affect the development of the tulip bulbs.

• You can cover the pots with a plastic lid or thin sheet to keep the soil moist throughout the chilling period.

• Tulip flowers are sensitive to temperature. They remain closed and last longer in cool temperatures (50 to 65 degrees F). When exposed to higher temperatures (75 to 85 degrees F), they open quickly. When exposed to much higher temperatures (90+ degrees F), they wilt.

Resources

• University of Rhode Island: Forcing Bulbs
• U.S. Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center