How to Grow Tulips in a Small Space

You might think that you go to a big garden to grow well a festive tulip display. The truth is, some species tulips grow very well in small pots, and are nicely suited to just a splash of color to an apartment balcony or in a window box.

First you need to evaluate the space you have. Do you have enough sun? As with most flowers, tulips require lots of sun. This does not mean that they do not fully grow in the shade, but they are not at their best in a shady spot. Choose a south facing window or balcony for the best exposure to the sun.

Keep in mind when choosing containers for growing tulips, terra cotta or ceramic planters preferred. Plastic pots can overheat, and their lack of porosity may prevent proper drainage. Remember that terra cotta and ceramic are heavy, and when filled with soil and bulbs, a large planter can be unwieldy. Beware if you find that you need to complete planter that you do not injure yourself moving.

Make sure your soil is well drained and rich in nutrients. If you are unsure, mixing in some peat or compost, and a few handfuls of sand. That should take care of any drainage problems, and the compost will add necessary organic materials to help you grow your tulips. Since full pots look better than bare ones, you'll probably want more bulbs in a smaller amount of land than usual. To ensure that all your lights are properly fed, add some bulb fertilizer to the mix.

Choose a variety of tulip adapted for the big planter you have in mind. In general, the higher the plant, the deeper the bulb should be planted. A good rule of thumb is to plan the lamp twice as deep as it is long. So if you have a very high Darwin hybrid, for example, you should choose a very large planter. For a window box, you should choose a smaller tulip variety, such as a Kaufmanniana Hybrid, which will generally grow to a height of four to ten centimeters.

Depending on the variety of the tulip that you chose, it will bloom sometime between late winter and early summer. Once the flower is withered, you must cut off the stem of the plant. While the flower may have faded, the tulip is not done growing. Tulips use this time to get the nutrients and energy they need for next year to save. The plant should remain well watered and in the sun, so that the leaves do their work.