There’s something truly magical about the first flowers of spring. After a long, gray winter, those bursts of color feel like a celebration. Among them, tulips are the undeniable stars—bold, colorful, and endlessly varied.
If you’re like many gardeners, you look forward to those vibrant tulip blooms each spring. But once they fade, you might wonder: Will they bloom again next year? The good news? With the right care, they can.
Here’s how to keep your tulips healthy after they bloom so you can enjoy their beauty year after year.
Why Tulips Don’t Always Return
Most tulip bulbs you plant in fall are carefully selected for size and quality. These “chosen” bulbs are primed to produce big, showy blooms—once.
After flowering, the bulb shifts into reproduction mode. It forms smaller bulbs (called bulblets) around itself while using up its own stored energy. These new bulbs aren’t strong enough to bloom right away, and the original bulb usually weakens after its first show.
This is especially true for hybrid tulips. That’s why many gardeners plant new bulbs each fall. But that doesn’t have to be the case.
Tips to Help Tulips Bloom Again
If you want to give your tulips the best chance at returning, your post-bloom care makes all the difference.
1. Don’t Cut the Leaves
It’s tempting to tidy things up after your flowers fade, but leave the green foliage alone. Those leaves are still hard at work—photosynthesizing and sending nutrients down to the bulb.
- Let the leaves die back naturally, which usually happens about 6–8 weeks after blooming.
- As long as they’re green, they’re feeding the bulb for next year’s growth.
2. Do Cut the Spent Flowers
Once the flowers fade, it’s smart to remove them.
- Snip off the flower heads a couple of inches below the bloom, leaving the stem and leaves intact.
- This stops the plant from wasting energy trying to produce seeds.
- All the stored energy then goes into rebuilding the bulb, not into seed-making.
Fertilize After Blooming
In their first year, tulips don’t need fertilizer—the bulb already has what it needs. But after blooming, giving your tulips a nutrient boost helps restore strength to the bulb.
Best Practices:
- Apply compost or bulb-specific fertilizer after deadheading.
- Look for fertilizers high in phosphorus (not nitrogen). Bone meal is a great choice.
- Water the fertilizer into the soil to help it reach the bulb.
Should You Dig Up Your Tulips?
That depends on where you live.
If You’re in USDA Zone 8 or Higher:
Your winters may not be cold enough to trigger tulip blooms naturally. Tulips need a cold dormant period (35–45°F) to restart their life cycle.
What to do:
- Wait until the leaves have died back completely.
- Use a garden fork (not a shovel) to gently lift the bulbs out of the soil.
- Let them dry for a few hours in a well-ventilated spot.
- Brush off the soil, trim away old roots and leaves, and separate any new bulblets.
- Store bulbs in a paper bag in the refrigerator (away from fruit) for 10–14 weeks before replanting in fall.
Avoid sealed containers, which can trap moisture and cause rot.
If You’re in Zone 7 or Lower:
You can usually leave tulip bulbs in the ground all year.
- Dig up and divide bulbs every 3–4 years to prevent overcrowding.
- Choose a dry, sunny planting location—tulips need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Avoid planting water-hungry annuals on top of tulips during their summer dormancy.
Choose the Right Tulips
If you want tulips that return each spring without fail, variety matters.
Look For:
- Species tulips (with Latin names): These are more likely to naturalize and return yearly.
- Early-blooming varieties: They have a longer season to store nutrients before dormancy.
- Deep planting: Bury bulbs about four times their height to protect from temperature swings and access deeper nutrients.
Avoid:
- Fancy hybrids that are bred for looks, not longevity.
- Planting too shallow or too close together, which can weaken bulbs over time.
Container Tulips? One Per Pot
If you’re planting in containers:
- Use one bulb per pot.
- Choose containers that are at least 18 inches deep and wide.
- Ensure excellent drainage to prevent bulb rot.
- In warm climates, store the pot (or dig up the bulb) for chilling indoors over winter.
Set Your Tulips Up for Success
Tulips may take a bit more effort than other spring flowers, but they’re worth it. With the right care after blooming—leaving the leaves, cutting the flowers, feeding the bulb, and knowing when to dig—you can enjoy their beauty again and again.
Want a Tulip Garden That Comes Back Every Year?
Start now by giving your post-bloom tulips the TLC they need. And if you’re planting new ones this fall, choose varieties known to naturalize. Bookmark this guide or share it with a fellow gardener who loves spring color as much as you do.
For more tips on creating a garden that blooms all season, subscribe to our newsletter or explore our flower care series!
