Photo: Chris AngellCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Lady Tulip Plant Care
Tulipa clusiana Redouté
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its striking red and white flowers, Tulipa clusiana is a visually captivating plant originating from the Middle East and Central Asia. Its unique coloration and slender, pointed petals make it highly sought after by plant collectors for its rarity and delicate beauty.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Lady Tulip?
Water Lady 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.
Where Is the Lady Tulip Native To?
What Is the Lady Tulip?
Lady Tulip (Tulipa clusiana) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Tulipa genus. Lady Tulip is native to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and the western Himalayas of India. Lady Tulip is also known as Clusius' Tulip, Tulip.
Lady Tulip displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Lady Tulip produces colorful cup-shaped flowers in various hues.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lady Tulip?
Tulipa clusiana 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 Lady Tulip Need?
Lady Tulip thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lady Tulip Prefer?
Tulipa clusiana grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Lady Tulip prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lady Tulip?
Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Lady Tulip to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lady Tulip?
Feed Lady 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 Lady 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 Lady Tulip?
Lady Tulip can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild tulip plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lady 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 Lady Tulip?
Lady 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 Lady Tulip Need?
Lady Tulip grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lady Tulip is native to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and the western Himalayas of India. In cooler regions, grow Lady Tulip as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Lady 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.
Lady 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 clusiana Redouté, family Liliaceae (first published in Liliac. 1: t. 37 (1803)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Lady 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.
- Photo: Chris Angell, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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.
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