Tulips are a classic spring flower that brighten up gardens with their cheerful blooms. While most gardeners plant tulip bulbs in fall you may find yourself with leftover bulbs in winter and wonder if you can still get them in the ground. The good news is yes you can absolutely plant tulip bulbs in January and enjoy spring flowers!
Why January Planting Works
January seems late for planting spring bulbs. But planting in January can actually work well for a few key reasons:
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The ground is still diggable – January is often cold but frequently dry enough that soil is not frozen solid. This allows you to dig holes and plant bulbs.
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Natural chilling occurs – Tulips require a certain amount of chill time below 55°F to properly break dormancy. When planted in January, bulbs get the cold they need.
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Bloom is delayed – Bulbs planted mid-winter will bloom 2-4 weeks later than fall planted bulbs. This extends the tulip season!
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Pest protection – Planting in early winter helps protect bulbs from squirrels and rodents looking for an easy meal.
So with the right approach, January planted tulips can thrive!
Choose the Right Tulip Varieties
When planting tulips in January, select varieties that are known for being robust and cold hardy:
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Darwin Hybrids – Taller types that tolerate cooler soil temperatures well A very safe bet!
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Single Late Tulips – Bloom in late spring and handle winter planting conditions better.
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Species Tulips – Smaller and less showy but very resilient in cold soil.
Avoid more delicate tulips like parrots, doubles, or fringed types. Stick with sturdy bulbs.
Start with Top Quality Bulbs
Bulb quality is paramount for January planting success. Carefully inspect bulbs and discard any that are:
- Soft, mushy or moldy
- Showing signs of rot
- Extremely lightweight for size
Plant only the largest, firmest, healthiest bulbs available.
Proper Planting Techniques
Follow these tips to give January planted bulbs their best chance:
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Prepare soil with compost to improve drainage.
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Pretreat bulbs with fungicide to prevent rot (optional).
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Plant bulbs pointy end up at a depth 2-3 times their height.
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Space bulbs 3 inches apart to minimize rot risk.
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Water thoroughly after planting to eliminate air pockets.
Pick the Right Planting Site
Even in January, choose an optimal site:
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Full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun ensures good flowering.
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Sheltered – Protect bulbs from harsh winds which can damage shoots.
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Well-draining – Avoid soggy spots where bulbs will rot.
Ideally wait for a dry spell to prevent bulbs sitting in mud.
Provide Late Winter Care
After January planting, bulbs need:
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Mulching to insulate soil and prevent early sprouting.
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Occasional water if dry to keep soil moist.
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Monitoring for sprouts! Green shoots emerge 4-6 weeks after planting.
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Patience – blooms will be slightly delayed compared to fall planting.
Extend the Bloom Season
To make January planted tulips flower over an extra long season:
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Stagger plantings from December through February.
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Mix early, mid and late bloom times in each planting.
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Plan for naturalizing bulbs that will spread.
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Interplant with daffodils, hyacinths and alliums.
Considerations
January tulip planting can work well but be aware:
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Blooms may be smaller and shorter lived than fall planted bulbs.
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Bulbs might lack energy for repeat blooms next spring.
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Extreme cold can damage emerging shoots.
Even with these caveats, January planting is a great way to get tulips in the ground. Focus on quality bulbs, proper planting, and reasonable expectations. Then cross your fingers for cooperative spring weather! With some luck your January planted tulips will soon enliven the late winter garden.
It’s Not Too Late to Plant Tulips!
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Tulip bulbs are typically planted in the fall, but what happens when you forget to plant them and it’s already January? You plant them anyway—in the ground or in pots! Here are my tips on how to plant bulbs in winter or late in the season.
What Do You Do With Forgotten Tulips?
A few Januaries ago, I came across a bag of tulip bulbs that had gotten misplaced in my gardening shed. Evidently, the dozen tulips hid when I had planted over 150 other bulbs in the previous October. I was looking forward to seeing this variety’s colors lining my garden path. At least, that was the plan.
After doing a little research, I came across a study about planting tulip bulbs on top of the ground and late in the season, done by Cornell University.
- Researchers found that you can grow gorgeous tulips in only mulch, 2 inches being the optimum depth. They experimented with mulch layers up to 6 inches deep and determined the 2-inch covering (renewed every autumn) produced the largest amount of flowers and the most vigorous plants.
- If you are looking at unplanted bulbs in December or January or even February—get them in the ground. Don’t wait for spring or next fall. Bulbs aren’t like seeds. They won’t survive out of the ground indefinitely.
Planting Tulip Bulbs in January or February is my Top Time.
FAQ
What happens if I plant tulip bulbs in January?
While daffodils (narcissi) are generally better planted in late autumn, I know from experience that tulip bulbs will still produce a decent display if planted in January. So, if you’ve got some tulip bulbs lurking in a paper bag at the back of the shed, get them in – now!
Can you plant tulip bulbs in February?
They experimented with mulch layers up to 6 inches deep and determined the 2-inch covering (renewed every autumn) produced the largest amount of flowers and the most vigorous plants. If you are looking at unplanted bulbs in December or January or even February—get them in the ground. Don’t wait for spring or next fall.
What bulbs are best to plant in January?
This is definitely the case for tulips and daffodils. I have planted them in January before and still got a decent display in mid to late spring. A few of the daffodils may come up ‘blind’ though (foliage but no flowers). Also, the daffodils and tulips may well bloom at the same time.
Is late January too late to plant bulbs?
However, in general, you can plant spring-blooming bulbs up until the ground freezes in the Upper South and as late as January in much of the rest of the South. The bottom line is if you plant too late, your bulbs will not have time to set down and grow a mature root system.
Can you plant bulbs in January?
As long as the ground isn’t frozen, yes — but success also depends on the type of bulb. Some spring bulbs do better in colder weather, for example. So, we’ve broken down some of the most popular spring bulbs and assessed which types offer the best chance of success when planted in January. Which bulbs can you plant in January? 1. Tulips
Should you plant tulip bulbs in January?
And, if you’re planting tulips, choosing to plant bulbs in January can help avoid tulip fire, she adds. This is a fungal disease that often plagues them when planted too early, when bulbs sit in warm and soggy soil. Jen McDonald is a garden expert and co-founder of Garden Girls, LLC, based in Houston, TX.
When can I plant tulips & daffodils?
That means you can plant bulbs as late as January, as long as you can dig a hole deep enough. You can plant tulips and daffodils as early as the end of January. This will give them time to grow roots over the winter and bloom later than usual. Keep in mind that bulbs planted in late January may have smaller blooms.
Is it too late to plant tulips?
If it is already summer and you haven’t planted your bulbs, it is too late to plant tulips. If the bulbs are still dry and not mushy, you can try putting them in the refrigerator until the ground is cool enough to plant. Alternatively, you can plant them in containers keeping in mind they may not flower at all.
Do tulips bloom in January?
Here are a few handy tips to make January planted tulips bloom over an extra long season: Stagger planting from December through February for continuous blooms. Mix early, mid, and late season tulip varieties in each planting. Plan for naturalizing bulbs that will return and spread each year.
Should you plant tulips in winter?
Don’t wait for spring or next fall. Bulbs aren’t like seeds. They won’t survive out of the ground indefinitely. According to the Cornell study (done over a 6-year period), you should plant tulips during winter in this way: Clear away snow and loosen soil, if possible. If not, choose an area with soil full of organic matter.