Tulip at a glance
| Botanical name | Tulipa gesneriana |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Other names | garden tulip |
| Plant type | Flower; spring-flowering bulb |
| Size | 4 inches to about 2 feet tall, 6 to 9 inches wide |
| Light | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun) |
| Water | Water after planting in fall. In spring, rain is usually enough; bulbs rot in soggy soil. |
| Soil | Well-drained soil; avoid spots where water stands. |
| USDA hardiness zones | Hardy in zones 3 to 8. Many hybrid tulips bloom best in their first year and are often replanted. |
| USDA PLANTS symbol | TUGE |
When to plant tulip
Plant bulbs in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes.
How to grow tulip
- Buy firm, heavy bulbs in early fall.
- Plant pointed end up, about three times as deep as the bulb is tall.
- Water once after planting.
- Let leaves die back naturally after flowering; they feed next year's bulb.
- Cut off spent flowers so the plant does not put energy into seed.
Water and soil
Water: Water after planting in fall. In spring, rain is usually enough; bulbs rot in soggy soil.
Soil: Well-drained soil; avoid spots where water stands.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun).
Common problems
- Squirrels dig up bulbs
- Lay wire mesh over the planted area until the ground freezes.
- Fewer flowers each year
- Common with hybrid tulips. Treat them as one-season plants or choose species tulips.
Is tulip safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic
Toxic
The ASPCA lists Tulip (Tulipa spp.) as toxic to cats and toxic to dogs. Signs it lists include: vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation. ASPCA entry.
NC State Extension rates its poison severity for people and animals as low.
If a pet chews a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435; a fee may apply). For people, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. In an emergency, call 911.
Can you eat tulip?
Treat as not edible. The bulbs hold the highest level of toxins for pets.
Tulip questions
Are tulips poisonous to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists tulips as toxic to cats and dogs, with the highest level of toxins in the bulb. Store bulbs where pets cannot dig or chew them.
When do you plant tulip bulbs?
Plant them in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes. They need a cold period to flower in spring.
Do tulips come back every year?
Species tulips often return, but many hybrid tulips flower best in their first spring and fade over the following years.
Sources
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Tulipa gesneriana (size, light, soil, zones, poison rating)
- USDA PLANTS Database profile: Tulipa gesneriana L. (accepted name)
- ASPCA: Tulip (pet toxicity)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: plants toxic and non-toxic to cats
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: plants toxic and non-toxic to dogs
Written in our own words from the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
