Is Garden tulip hardy?

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Garden tulip toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

When does Garden tulip flower?

Flowering: April–May, white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple.

How much water does Garden tulip need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Garden tulip cost?

It sells for roughly €1.60 to €58 in local shops, depending on size.

Garden tulip

Tulipa × gesneriana

Garden tulip (Tulipa × gesneriana) is a perennial. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs and cats, mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €1.60.

Illustration of Garden tulip — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

The classic bulb of spring beds, in almost every colour except true blue, with single, double, fringed, lily-flowered and parrot forms, 20 to 75 cm tall. Plant the bulbs in autumn, from late September to November, in a sunny, free-draining spot at two to three times the height of the bulb, in groups. Most large-flowered hybrids bloom well for only a few years and then fade away: either top them up every few years, or lift the bulbs once the leaves have died down and store them dry over summer. For a lasting planting choose Darwin hybrids, which keep going years longer. After flowering snap off the seed head but leave the foliage until it yellows on its own. When choosing, look at flowering time (early, mid, late) and height, as these differ a lot between cultivar groups.

Watch out for

Voles and mice eat the bulbs, squirrels dig up freshly planted ones, and deer and rabbits graze the flowers; where voles are active, plant in wire mesh baskets. Tulip fire (Botrytis tulipae) causes twisted, spotted leaves with grey mould and rotting flowers in wet springs: remove affected plants with their bulbs and do not plant tulips in that spot for at least three years. Bulbs rot in heavy, waterlogged soil. Viruses that cause streaked petals are spread by aphids; discard infected plants. Most large-flowered cultivars produce only leaves after 2 to 4 years.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 50 cm × 15 cm
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	50 cm × 15 cm
Ultimate size	20–75 cm × 10–20 cm
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	12 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €1.60

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
bulb or tuber	approx. €5 – €8
size not stated	approx. €1.60 – €58

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

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