Tulip Plant Care

Tulipa cypria Stapf in Turrill

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Tulipa cypria, the Cyprus tulip, is a tulip, an erect perennial bulbous herb, 15–40 cm high, with glabrous, glaucous leaves. It has four leaves which are alternate, simple, entire and fleshy.

🌼Perennials🧅Bulbs & Tubers
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Tulip?

Water Tulip every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

What Is the Tulip?

Tulip (Tulipa cypria) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Tulipa genus.

Tulip displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Tulip produces colorful cup-shaped flowers in various hues.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Tulip?

Tulipa cypria requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Tulip Need?

Tulip thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tulip Prefer?

Tulipa cypria grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Tulip prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tulip?

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tulip to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Tulip?

Feed Tulip every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Tulip?

Divide and replant bulbs every 2-3 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Tulip?

Tulip can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild tulip plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Tulip Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tulip?

Tulip is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tulip Need?

Tulip grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Tulip as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Tulip is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Tulipa genus — compare its care with other Tulipa species on PlantoScan.

Tulipa is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.

Tulip thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Tulipa Species

Other Tulipa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Tulipa cypria Stapf in Turrill, family Liliaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 157: t. 9363 (1934)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Tulip is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Tulip Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species