Tulip FAQ Page
Whether you're planting a few bulbs for spring color or filling your garden with large drifts of tulips, this guide will provide basic growing tips as well as answers to the most common questions we get from Sunny Meadows tulip bulb buyers.
Steps for Planting Tulips in a Garden or Home Landscape
Tulips require a cold period before they will flower. In colder climates, bulbs need no extra chilling—nature handles it over winter. If you live in a warm climate, you need to purchase pre-chilled bulbs or chill them yourself by putting them in a refrigerator for about 12-16 weeks at ~35-45°F.
Site Selection & Soil PrepChoose a location that gets full sun (at least 6 hours/day) and has well-drained soil. Amend heavy clay with compost and ensure the soil has good drainage so bulbs won’t sit in water.
Planting DepthInformation about the first step in what you're trying to describe.
Harvesting & Post Harvest CareFor the longest vase life, harvest when petals are still tight and flowers have started to color up. For casual home use, cut flowers, leaving at least a few leaves for the bulb to regenerate.
Profitable Tulip Production
Growing Tulips for Florists & Markets
Are you a market gardener or flower farmer interested in scaling up your tulip production?
Our online course, Growing Cut-Flower Crops in Hoop and Greenhouses walks you through the entire process, including bulb selection, planting and harvest timing and post-harvest handling. You’ll also learn how to strategically utilize bulb crates, beds, and cold storage for efficient production & season extension. We share the evolution of our tulip systems and what we’ve learned over two decades of growing for wholesale and retail markets—including a few costly lessons learned the hard way so you can avoid repeating them.
Tulip FAQs
No. In colder climates, bulbs need no extra chilling—nature handles it over winter. If you live in a warm climate, you need to purchase pre-chilled bulbs or chill them yourself by putting them in a refrigerator for about 12-16 weeks at ~35-45°F.
In cold-winter climates, plant in the fall (September–November) before the ground is frozen. In warmer regions, plant pre-chilled bulbs in late winter or early spring.
Technically, tulips can return year after year if the bulb stores enough energy after flowering. When tulips are grown for cut flowers, both the bloom and much of the foliage are removed, so the bulb can’t photosynthesize enough to replenish itself for the next season. Even in landscape plantings, warmer climates or heavy soils can prevent bulbs from reblooming reliably, which is why many gardeners and farmers treat them as annuals and replant them each year.
Harvest tulips when the buds have just started to show color but are still mostly closed. This stage ensures strong stems, minimal bruising when handling or arranging, and the longest vase life. Tulips will continue to open and grow/lengthen even after being cut!
Tulips continue to grow even after they’ve been cut! To prevent them from curving, wrap the top half of the flower in a cone of paper and place stems upright in water to rehydrate.
Yes! Growing tulips in crates and unheated hoop houses is a great way to extend your season. Learn more about large scale tulip production in our online course, Growing Cut-Flower Crops in Hoop and Greenhouses.
Unfortunately, tulip bulbs are a favorite snack for squirrels, chipmunks, voles, and deer. To protect your planting you can try laying down hardware cloth or wire mesh in the planting area to keep bulbs safe. You can also try using repellents, motion deterrents, or planting tulips among less palatable companions like daffodils or alliums.
We want you to be happy with your tulip bulbs! While all sales are final, we stand behind the quality of bulbs we ship. Please inspect your order right away when it arrives—check for any damage and confirm everything matches your invoice.
If your order is damaged or incorrect, let us know within 5 days by emailing us with your First and Last Name and Order # in the subject line. We’ll happily send a replacement or issue a merchandise credit if a replacement isn’t available. (Shipping charges are nonrefundable.)
Because there are so many factors beyond our control once bulbs leave the farm, we can’t guarantee performance in your specific growing conditions—but we’re here to help you start strong!
