Image: AI generated
Tulip Plant Care
Tulipa gesneriana L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tulipa gesneriana, commonly known as the garden tulip, is a vibrant and iconic flowering plant prized for its cup-shaped flowers in a wide array of colors. Its distinctive blooms make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts for adding beauty and charm to gardens.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
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. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Tulip?
Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Tulipa genus. Tulip is native to Turkey, Iran, Caucasus. Tulip is also known as Garden Tulip, Late Tulip.
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 gesneriana 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 gesneriana 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 to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Tulipa species (which includes Tulip). View the ASPCA entry
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 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Tulip is native to Turkey, Iran, Caucasus.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
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 gesneriana L., family Liliaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 306 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Tulipa species (which includes Tulip) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species