What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of tulips? For many people, it’s the image of pristine rows of these brightly colored flowers in a Keukenhof-type setting. Once springtime hits and tulips start to bloom, it’s hard not to fall in love with them all over again.
However, along with its stunning display of colors, the tulip is also known for being a bit of a diva when it comes to growing conditions. Commonly, gardeners are left with a seemingly endless series of questions. When is the best time to plant tulips?
How often do they need to be watered? What kind of soil do they prefer? And, perhaps most importantly, can you leave tulip bulbs in the ground all year?
Is It Okay to Leave Tulip Bulbs in the Ground All Year?
Unfortunately, it’s not a simple question to answer. Technically, it’s yes and no. You can grow tulip bulbs as perennials only if you live in a climate with conditions that are similar to their natural growing environment.
For the most part, this means USDA zones 3 – 8. If you live outside of these areas, your tulips will likely need to be dug up each year and replanted.
Within these USDA zones, tulips have a higher chance of multiplying and coming back each year. However, there are still a few things you need to do to ensure that your bulbs survive the winter and come back in the spring.
Leaving tulips in the ground is a risky move when it comes to bulb survival. If you live in an area with particularly hot summers, the heat can cause the bulbs to go into dormancy too early. This means that they won’t have a chance to store enough food for the winter, and they’ll likely die off.
Conversely, if you live in an area with very cold winters, the ground may freeze before the tulips have a chance to go into dormancy.
With that being said, the ideal conditions for leaving tulip bulbs in the ground are cool summers and mild winters. If you live in an area with conditions like this, leaving them on the ground is the best way to ensure they’ll come back each spring.
When It’s Not Ideal to Leave Tulip Bulbs in the Ground
Technically, tulips are annuals. This means that they only live for one growing season. However, they’re typically planted as perennials because they can be forced into dormancy and then replanted the following spring. As mentioned above, this only works in specific climates.
It’s not a good idea to leave tulip bulbs in the ground if:
- Your area falls outside USDA zones 3-8.
- You have clay soil.
- You have really cold winters, with temperatures that dip below -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You have really hot summers, with temperatures that regularly exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You don’t get enough rainfall.
If any of these conditions apply to you, it’s best to dig up your tulip bulbs after they bloom and store them until next spring. Doing so will help ensure that your tulips come back year after year.
How to Store Tulip Bulbs for the Winter
If you can’t leave tulip bulbs in the ground all year, don’t worry – storing them is a pretty simple process. It all begins with digging up the bulb after the blooming period has ended. Once they’re out of the ground, brush off any excess dirt and let them air dry for a day or two.
You can store these bulbs in a root cellar (ideally) or in any cool, dark, and dry place. A basement or garage would work perfectly. Once they’re stored, check on them every few weeks to make sure they’re not drying out or developing mold.
However, not everyone has the ideal room for storing tulip bulbs. While it’s not the ideal solution, you can also store tulip bulbs in the fridge. Just be sure to wrap them in a paper bag or something similar to prevent them from drying out.
Otherwise, you may just have to purchase pre-chilled bulbs for planting in the next spring. These are typically available in the fall and can be planted as soon as outdoor temperatures reach between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the night.
Can You Leave Tulip Bulbs in the Ground All Year: Final Thoughts
Leaving tulip bulbs in the ground all year is only possible if you live in a specific climate. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, these bulbs need cool summers and mild winters to survive. If you live outside of these areas, it’s best to dig up your tulip bulbs and store them for the winter.
When storing tulip bulbs, you can keep them in a root cellar, garage, or basement – anywhere that’s cool, dark, and dry. If you don’t have access to any of these rooms, wrapping the bulbs in a paper bag and storing them in the fridge will work in a pinch.