Can Tulips From Indoors Be Planted Outdoors?

Potted tulips can be planted outside after they bloom in pots, but it is important to wait until all frost danger has passed in your region before planting them outside. To prepare for outdoor planting, begin preparing the bulbs as soon as the petals fade. Once early spring comes around, your tulips will start peeking above the surface, so place them outside in a sunny spot.

Potted tulips can be moved outside once the weather warms, and in late fall, move the plants into a refrigerator or cold frame for outdoor chilling. The plants need at least 12 weeks of chill time to adequately grow and bloom. Store the bulbs in a cool, dry, and dark location. If you want to change the look of your garden, move the pots to a different spot or take them indoors to enjoy their beauty during winter.

You can also plant potted tulips in the ground when the garden soil is workable. They need a cold period to rebloom properly so they might have their grow/flower cycle. If you decide to plant your potted tulip, first acclimate the plant to the outdoors by placing it in a shady spot.

Tulips that are forced into indoor bloom use up so much energy that they usually will not bloom again if planted outdoors. Choose a pot with drainage holes, half fill with soil or compost, and plant the tulip bulbs in full sun and well-drained soil as soon as you can work the soil. Plant three or four times deeper than the bulb is tall.