When to plant tulips
Plant tulips in fall, between 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after the first fall frost. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F. That works out to zone 5b (late September to early November), zone 7a (mid October to late November) and zone 9a (mid November to late December).
Tulips planting dates by zone
| Zone | Plant |
|---|---|
| 4a | Sep 12 – Oct 24 |
| 4b | Sep 15 – Oct 27 |
| 5a | Sep 17 – Oct 29 |
| 5b | Sep 24 – Nov 5 |
| 6a | Oct 1 – Nov 12 |
| 6b | Oct 5 – Nov 16 |
| 7a | Oct 11 – Nov 22 |
| 7b | Oct 18 – Nov 29 |
| 8a | Oct 24 – Dec 5 |
| 8b | Nov 1 – Dec 13 |
| 9a | Nov 12 – Dec 24 |
| 9b | Nov 26 – Jan 7 |
How to plant tulips
| Plant as | bulbs |
|---|---|
| Soil temperature | 60°F or warmer |
| Depth | 6–8 in (3x bulb height) |
| Spacing | 4–6 in |
| Light | Full sun |
| Time to bloom | 150–210 days |
Plant once soil has cooled below 60°F, which usually lines up with the first fall frost.
Plant pointed end up, in groups of 10 or more for a good display.
Tulips need 12–16 weeks of cold to bloom.
When to expect flowers from tulips
Tulips bloom the following spring, March–May depending on climate and variety.
Planting tulips in warm climates
In zones 9–10 buy pre-chilled bulbs or chill them in the refrigerator for 8–12 weeks, then plant in late December or January.
Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.