How to plant tulip bulbs (UK)

By Sophie Sparkes · October 2026 · 5 min read

Tulips break the usual bulb rules. They go in later than everything else, they want to be planted deeper than feels sensible, and many of them are not designed to come back. Get those three things right and they are one of the easiest flowers in the garden.

Short answer: plant tulip bulbs in November, pointy end up, 15-20cm deep, in full sun and well-drained soil. The late planting is deliberate: colder soil reduces tulip fire, a fungal disease. December is fine too if the ground is not frozen. If you want tulips to return each year, plant deep and choose varieties known for coming back, such as Darwin hybrids and species tulips.

Why tulips are planted in November

Daffodils and crocuses want warm September soil to root into. Tulips are the exception. They are prone to tulip fire, a fungal disease that thrives in mild, damp conditions and leaves twisted, scorched-looking leaves and spotted flowers. Planting into colder November soil lowers the risk, and tulips are perfectly happy to root in chilly ground, so waiting costs nothing.

Buy early anyway, while the best varieties are still in stock, and keep the bulbs somewhere cool, dry and airy (a paper bag in a shed is ideal) until November.

How deep to plant tulips

Aim for 15-20cm deep, measured to the base of the bulb. That is deeper than the usual "three times the bulb's height" rule, and it matters for three reasons: the stems are steadier in spring wind, the bulbs are harder for squirrels to reach, and deep-planted tulips are much more likely to flower again the following year.

Space them about two bulb widths apart in borders, roughly 10-12cm, in groups rather than rows.

Step by step

1. Inspect every bulb. Discard any that are soft, mouldy, or have dark sunken spots, which can be early signs of tulip fire. It is better to lose one bulb than infect the bed.
2. Pick the sunniest spot you have. Tulips sulk in shade and stretch towards the light.
3. Dig a wide hole 15-20cm deep. On heavy clay, add a layer of grit at the bottom so the bulbs never sit in water.
4. Set the bulbs pointy end up, two bulb widths apart.
5. Backfill, firm gently, and water if the soil is dry.

Tulips in pots

Pots are often the best way to grow tulips, especially if your soil is heavy or squirrels are a problem. Use a pot at least 30cm deep, multi-purpose compost with a generous amount of grit, and plant the bulbs close together (almost touching) for a full display. Keep the depth to at least 15cm, which is why shallow troughs do not suit tulips.

Stand pots on feet over winter so they drain freely, and move them somewhere sheltered in prolonged hard frost.

Keeping squirrels off

Squirrels love tulip bulbs. The most reliable fix is physical: lay a piece of chicken wire just under the soil surface over the planting area (or over the top of a pot) and remove it when the shoots appear in spring. Planting deep and firming the soil well so it does not look freshly dug also helps.

Will my tulips come back next year?

Often not as well, and this is normal rather than something you did wrong. Many of the showiest tulips are bred for one spectacular year and decline after that. If you want tulips that return:

• Choose perennial types: Darwin hybrids, many Triumph tulips, and small species tulips such as Tulipa sylvestris and Tulipa sprengeri.
• Plant deep, 20cm rather than 15cm.
• Deadhead after flowering and leave the leaves to die back naturally for about six weeks.

Tulips in pots are usually best treated as a one-year display. Plant them out in the garden after flowering, deep, and let them take their chances.

Tulip questions

When should I plant tulip bulbs in the UK?

November. Not September or October, even though that is when the shops are full of them. Colder soil reduces tulip fire, a fungal disease that thrives in mild, damp conditions. Buy early for the best varieties, store them somewhere cool and dry, and plant in November.

Is it too late to plant tulips in December?

No. Tulips planted in December, and even early January, will usually flower well, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. They may flower a week or two later than November plantings. Bulbs do not keep until spring, so planting late is always better than not planting.

How deep should tulip bulbs be planted?

15-20cm deep, measured to the base of the bulb. That is deeper than most bulbs, and it gives steadier stems, fewer squirrel raids and a much better chance of the tulips flowering again the following spring.

Can you plant tulips and daffodils together?

Yes, and in a pot they work beautifully layered: tulips at the bottom, daffodils above. The only complication is timing, since daffodils prefer September and tulips November. The simple answer is to plant the whole pot in late October, a fair compromise that suits both.

Do I need to dig up tulip bulbs after flowering?

No. Deeply planted tulips in well-drained soil can be left in the ground. Some gardeners lift them once the leaves have died down, dry them and replant in November, which can help on heavy, wet soil. For most gardens, deadheading and leaving the foliage to die back is enough.