Tulip bulbs are planted in fall, around your first frost, once the soil has cooled below 60 °F. In the warmest zones, bulbs are chilled in the refrigerator first and planted in winter. Find your zone below, or enter your ZIP code for dates based on the weather station closest to you.
Tulip dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Tulip planting dates by zone
| USDA zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | September 5 – October 3 |
| Zone 4 | September 11 – October 9 |
| Zone 5 | September 18 – October 16 |
| Zone 6 | September 29 – October 27 |
| Zone 7 | October 9 – November 6 |
| Zone 8 | October 21 – November 18 |
| Zone 9 | November 11 – December 9 |
Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
Why tulips are planted in fall
Tulip bulbs need a long period of cold soil, around 40–45 °F, to form flowers. Planted in fall, once the soil has cooled below 60 °F, they grow roots before the ground freezes, chill over winter and bloom in spring. In mild-winter areas the bulbs are chilled in the refrigerator instead.
How to plant tulip bulbs
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Dig holes about 6–8 inches deep, roughly three times the bulb’s height.
- Set bulbs pointed end up, about 4–6 inches apart.
- Cover and water to settle the soil.
- Mulch in cold areas after the ground freezes.
After the tulips bloom
Snap off faded flowers so the plant doesn’t spend energy on seeds, but leave the leaves until they turn yellow. That is when the bulb stores energy for next year. In cold-winter areas many tulips return; in warm areas, plan to plant new bulbs.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should I plant tulip bulbs?
About 6–8 inches to the base of the bulb, or roughly three times its height, pointed end up.
Can I plant tulips in spring?
Bulbs planted in spring won’t get the cold they need and usually won’t bloom well. Plant in fall, or chill the bulbs in the refrigerator first.
Should I store tulip bulbs with fruit?
No. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which can damage or kill the flower buds inside the bulb.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.