If Potted Tulips Die, May I Replant Them?

Tulips require a cold spell to bloom, and most common types don’t return reliably above U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 7, even when grown outdoors. However, if your beau has done his homework, you may be able to replant the bulbs once the plant fades and enjoy their gift for years to come. Begin preparing potted tulips for outdoor planting as soon as the petals fade, keeping plants inside at normal room temperature. Remove dead flowers and clipping them.

After potted tulips have finished blooming, it is important to take proper care to ensure they continue to thrive. First, remove the dead flowers and any foliage that has. After the leaves have decayed naturally, you can cut them off and dig up the bulbs. The post-bloom period is crucial for ensuring the bulbs grow beautiful flowers, healthy leaves, and strong stems. Deadheading tulips is the first step, as it involves removing the spent blooms from the stem to prevent the plant from expending energy on seed production.

After the foliage has died back naturally, dig up the bulbs about 6 weeks after blooming. Discard any damaged or diseased ones and let them grow. For best results, start them in quart containers and keep them in a sunny area with moist soil. Some tulips will return better than others, but some bulbs will still live if the leaves are allowed to photosynthesize and the bulb is watered. Once the leaves have died completely, stop watering the pot and allow the whole thing to dry out. If you need the pot for replanting with summer bedding, take the pot for replanting with summer bedding.

When the leaves have turned yellow and died back, gently ease the bulbs out of the ground and cut off the stems. By following these simple steps and tips, you can ensure that your tulips grow beautiful flowers, healthy leaves, and strong stems for years to come.