Bloomaker Tulips are available in the U.S. in various grocery stores and retailers (find ones near you here)
We know you want to regrow your tulips and keep your Bloomaker bulbs healthy all year long. Here are our instructions for regrowing your tulips in two different ways: in soil and hydroponically.
How To Replant Tulip Bulbs: A Step-By-Step Guide
Tulips are one of the most popular spring-blooming bulbs prized for their wide range of bright colors and unique flower forms. While tulips will naturally bloom year after year their flowers tend to become smaller and fewer over time. Replanting the bulbs every 2-3 years helps maintain large, vibrant blooms.
Follow this simple guide to learn when and how to properly replant tulip bulbs for recurring seasonal enjoyment in your garden
When To Replant Tulip Bulbs
Tulips follow a yearly cycle synchronized with the seasons:
Spring – Tulips send up leaves and flowers as bulbs actively grow.
Summer – Foliage and blooms die back as bulbs become dormant.
Fall – Bulbs remain dormant with no visible growth.
Winter – Bulbs need the chill of winter before restarting growth in spring.
The best time for replanting tulip bulbs is early fall, around September-November. Replanting in fall allows bulbs a period of dormancy before sprouting the next spring.
Bulbs replanted in spring or summer may lack adequate time to reestablish roots before hot weather returns. Waiting until winter risks frost damage in cold climates.
Digging Up Tulip Bulbs
Start by digging up bulbs once the foliage totally dies down, usually 8-12 weeks after peak spring bloom. Gently loosen the soil and lift out bulbs with roots intact.
Avoid accidentally severing the basal plate where roots attach. The basal plate must remain undamaged for the bulb to resprout when replanted.
Rinse off any excess dirt from bulbs. Allow bulbs to dry upside down in a shady spot for 2-3 days before storage.
Storing Tulip Bulbs For Replanting
After digging and drying, tulip bulbs must be properly stored for 2-3 months until ready to replant in fall.
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Place bulbs in a paper bag or open crate with good airflow. Avoid plastic bags or containers that retain moisture.
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Keep bulbs in a cool, dry spot around 50-60°F like a garage or shed. Do not refrigerate.
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Prevent premature sprouting by keeping bulbs away from sunlight. Maintain complete darkness.
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Check bulbs during storage and remove any showing signs of rotting.
Proper dry storage imitates the bulb’s natural dormancy, priming them to re-bloom.
Removing Old Flower Stems
As bulbs are dug up, you’ll find old dried flower stems attached. Simply snap these off and discard them. The dead stems provide no regeneration benefits for the plant. Removing old stems tidies up bulbs during storage.
Selecting Bulbs For Replanting
Carefully inspect each bulb to decide which to replant in fall:
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Replant large, firm bulbs not showing softness, mushiness, or mold. Large size indicates a vigorous bulb that will re-bloom well.
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Discard small, shriveled bulbs lacking adequate energy to sprout again.
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Keep bulbs with no rot or damage. Minor surface nicks are okay, but major injury or disease means discarding.
For best results, replant only the largest, healthiest bulbs. Smaller bulbs can be discarded or planted separately away from the main tulip display.
Preparing A Bed For Replanted Tulip Bulbs
Good drainage is essential for tulips, so prepare the planting bed carefully:
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Choose a spot with full sun to part shade exposure. Tulips thrive in cool weather and ample sunlight.
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Improve drainage by mixing in compost, peat moss, or gravel. Dense clay prevents bulb growth.
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Remove weeds that compete for nutrients. Test and amend soil pH if needed. Tulips prefer slightly acidic soil.
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Work soil 10-12 inches deep. Tulips have deep roots requiring loose soil to emerge easily.
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Mix bulb fertilizer or compost into the top 4-6 inches of soil where bulbs will be planted.
Planting Depth For Tulip Bulbs
Proper planting depth is vital for replanted tulip bulbs to bloom again successfully:
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Plant large tulip bulbs 6-8 inches deep. Smaller bulbs need shallower planting, around 4-6 inches deep.
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Measure depth from the bulb’s basal plate, not its tip.
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In warmer climates, increase depth 2 inches. Deeper planting protects bulbs from heat.
Bulbs planted too shallow may sprout prematurely or freeze. Too deep, and bulbs struggle to emerge.
Spacing Tulip Bulbs
Space replanted bulbs 4-6 inches apart. Dense spacing inhibits airflow and light penetration.
For visual impact, plant bulbs in groups of at least 6, spacing groups 6-12 inches apart. Mix colors or use one hue.
Mark bulb locations with stakes or tags to remember where they’re buried.
Caring For Replanted Tulip Bulbs
Give bulbs a boost while roots reestablish after replanting:
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Water thoroughly after planting and weekly in fall/spring if rainfall is inadequate. Provide 1 inch of water weekly.
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Insulate soil and reduce weeds by mulching beds with 2-3 inches of shredded leaves, wood chips, or compost.
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Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring as plants emerge. Avoid high-nitrogen mixes that increase foliage over flowers.
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Allow foliage to remain for 6 weeks after blooming to replenish the bulb before removing faded flowers.
Proper replanting and aftercare will keep tulip bulbs flowering successfully for years!
Troubleshooting Replanted Tulips
If replanted tulip bulbs underperform, here are some common problems and solutions:
Problem – Tulips fail to emerge in spring.
Solution – Replant shallower. Ensure adequate drainage. Bulbs may be planted too deep.
Problem – Tulips bloom the first year after replanting but not the next.
Solution – Natural decrease in bloom as bulbs age. Replant with newer bulbs.
Problem – Foliage emerges but no flowers.
Solution – Insufficient winter chill or planted too shallow. Discard bulbs and replant new ones properly after chilling.
Problem – Undersized or distorted flowers.
Solution – Indicates viral infection. Immediately discard infected bulbs to prevent spreading.
With proper handling, storage, replanting, and care, replenished tulip bulbs will flower reliably for many years!
Replanting tulip bulbs is a straightforward process that can easily be done each fall. Follow these guidelines for digging, storing, selecting, and replanting bulbs. Take care of replanted bulbs properly to ensure beautiful blooms year after year. With a little effort, you can enjoy vibrant tulip displays blooming in your garden spring after spring.
How to Replant Tulips Bulbs in Soil
After your bulbs have finished flowering the first time, clip the dead flower off the stem, and let the remaining foliage die off while maintaining water level in the glass vase. When the foliage has completed drying out, you may see new little bulbs beginning to form, leave these.
Cut the foliage, but leave the roots, and store the bulbs dry and as cool as possible until early November. Then plant them in your garden according to what zone you live in, using a good mix of soil and compost, and be sure to water them thoroughly when first planting them.
You can find your planting zone here: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map which will help you determine the best time to replant the bulbs after drying them out:
Zones 4 & 5 – September or early October Zones 6 & 7 – October to early November Zones 8 & 9 – November to early December Zone 10 – Late December to early January
If you live in zones 8 through 10, you should refrigerate the tulips bulbs for six to eight weeks before planting. Before refrigerating, place them in a paper bag and keep them away from ripening fruits (fruits produce ethylene gas, which can destroy the flower bud within the bulb).
Tulips grow best in full sun in well-prepped soil with fast drainage. Avoid planting the bulbs where water collects or in locations that are prone to late frosts.
How and When to Plant Tulip Bulbs – Ace Hardware
FAQ
How do you replant tulip bulbs after they bloom?
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Deadhead:Remove the spent flower heads (but leave the foliage) to encourage energy to be directed towards the bulb for next year’s bloom.
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Allow Foliage to Die Back:Let the leaves yellow and die naturally, as they are crucial for storing energy in the bulb.
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Dig Up Bulbs:Once the foliage has fully died, gently dig up the bulbs with a garden fork.
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Clean and Inspect:Brush off any excess soil and inspect the bulbs for any signs of rot or damage. Discard any bulbs that appear diseased or damaged.
How do I save my tulip bulbs for next year?
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Deadhead:Once the tulips have finished blooming, cut off the flower heads (deadhead) to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production.
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Allow Foliage to Die Back:Resist the urge to cut down the green foliage; it’s crucial for the bulb to store energy for next year’s growth. Let the foliage naturally turn yellow and die back.
Is it okay to leave tulip bulbs in the ground all year?
Northern gardeners can leave their bulbs in the ground year round. Southern gardeners may need to purchase pre-cooled bulbs if their winter temperatures don’t provide the chill many bulbs need to bloom. Start planting your bulbs in fall when the night temperatures stay between 40 and 50 degrees.
What to do with tulip bulbs after digging them up?
- Wait for Foliage to Die Back: Don’t rush to dig up the bulbs. Allow the leaves to naturally yellow and wither, as this is when the bulbs are storing energy for next year’s blooms.
- Dig Carefully: Gently dig around the bulbs, being careful not to damage them.
- Clean the Bulbs: Remove any loose soil by gently brushing the bulbs with your hands or a soft brush. Avoid washing them with water at this stage.
- Dry the Bulbs: Allow the bulbs to dry completely in a well-ventilated area.
- Store the Bulbs: Store the bulbs in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a basement or garage. You can store them in paper bags, mesh bags, or cardboard boxes.
- Replant in the Fall: Replant the bulbs in the fall, typically in late fall or early winter, depending on your local climate.
- Consider Dividing Bulbs: Every few years, it’s a good idea to divide and replant your tulip bulbs to maintain their vigor. After the foliage has died back in late spring or early summer, carefully dig up the bulbs and separate the offsets (smaller bulbs) from the parent bulbs and replant them in the autumn.
How do you transplant tulips from pots to the ground?
Follow these steps to transplant tulips from pots to the ground: Enjoy the tulips on your kitchen table or otherwise until the blooms fade. Choose a spot in the garden for replanting tulip bulbs. Dig a hole that is between 5 and 8 inches deep. Squeeze to gently loosen the soil from the pot. Place the tulip bulb (s) and its soil in the hole.
How to replant tulip bulbs?
The first step in replanting tulip bulbs is to dig them up. This should be done when the foliage has turned yellow and died back. Use a garden fork to lift the bulbs out of the soil gently, careful not to damage them. Shake off any excess soil and remove any dead or damaged bulbs. Once the bulbs have been dug up, they should be cleaned and sorted.
How do you replant a tulip bed?
Wait six weeks after the final bloom fades before digging and replanting. Prepare a new tulip bed in well-draining soil and full sun. Apply a 3 inch layer of compost over the garden bed and till it in with a hoe or power tiller to an 8-inch depth. Tulips are spring bulbs, and along with daffodils are often the first to flowers to bloom in spring.
How do I re grow tulips?
Here are our instructions for regrowing your tulips in two different ways: in soil and hydroponically. Tulips are a classic spring flower that bloom from bulbs.
How do I remove tulip bulbs from my garden?
First up, the trusty garden fork. This is my go-to tool for gently lifting tulip bulbs from their earthy beds. It helps in loosening the soil around the bulb without causing damage. It’s gentle yet effective—much like my grandma’s hugs. Then there’s the trowel. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of gardening.
How do you move tulip bulbs?
Identify the location of the tulip bulbs you wish to move. Use a digging shovel to dig down and loosen the dirt at least 3 to 4 inches outside of where the bulbs are. Dig all the way around so you can “pop” up the chunk of soil. After you’ve dug around a full circle, dig deeper and then press down to pop the soil up.