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Growing Tulips Indoors

by Jenny Fortier

The winter is long and cold, but you can add a little bit of spring to your place by growing some of your favorite tulip varieties indoors. Tricking tulips into growing indoors is sometimes referred to as 'forcing' them. This process is simple and very similar to the cold moist stratification process you may have used in growing some native plants from seed.

 

The process is very simple:

1) Procure yourself some tulip bulbs, we have a few premium mix packs left from our friends at Roam Flora (Ottawa). To check the quality of the bulbs make sure they are firm and free of rot and soft spots.

2) Place your bulbs in a reusable container or plastic bag and place them in a cool dark place (2-7C) for 12-16 weeks. The crisper in your refrigerator is a great spot,  in an unheated garage or even place in a safe spot outdoors (where they will need get wet and the critters can't eat them).

3) Choose an indoor pot with good drainage and fill with soil up to 3-4 inches below the rim of the pot. Place your bulbs on top of the soil with the pointy side up, and fill around them with soil, ensuring the top of the bulbs are still poking through the soil.

4) Keep your pot in a cool, dark spot (a spot in the basement or garage works) and water lightly once a week. Once leaves appear, move your pot into a location with direct light and enjoy the blooms!

 

 

 

dark place for 12 to 16 weeks to be chilled. The average temperature should be between 35 to 45 F. (2-7 C.). Many people chill their bulbs in the vegetable drawer in their fridge, in an unheated but attached garage, or even in shallow trenches near the foundation of their homes.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Growing Tulips Indoors: How To Force Tulip Bulbs https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/tulips/forcing-tulip-bulbs.htm
place them in a cool, dark place for 12 to 16 weeks to be chilled. The average temperature should be between 35 to 45 F. (2-7 C.). Many people chill their bulbs in the vegetable drawer in their fridge, in an unheated but attached garage, or even in shallow trenches near the foundation of their homes.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Growing Tulips Indoors: How To Force Tulip Bulbs https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/tulips/forcing-tulip-bulbs.htm
place them in a cool, dark place for 12 to 16 weeks to be chilled. The average temperature should be between 35 to 45 F. (2-7 C.). Many people chill their bulbs in the vegetable drawer in their fridge, in an unheated but attached garage, or even in shallow trenches near the foundation of their homes.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Growing Tulips Indoors: How To Force Tulip Bulbs https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/tulips/forcing-tulip-bulbs.htm
After chilling, you are ready to start growing tulips indoors. Choose a container with good drainage. Fill the container with soil to about 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) below the rim of the container. The next step in forcing tulip bulbs is to place them just on top of the soil, pointy end up. Fill the container with soil around the tulip bulbs to the top of the container. The very tips of the tulip bulbs should still show through the top of the soil.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Growing Tulips Indoors: How To Force Tulip Bulbs https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/tulips/forcing-tulip-bulbs.htm

6 comments

  • Hi Taylor,

    Tulips and other bulbs need a cold period to bloom properly. If you skip Step #2, the tulips will grow leaves but they will likely not develop flowers.

    Northern Wildflowers

  • what does step two do as opposed to just planting them?

    Taylor

  • Hi Victor,

    Tulips and other bulbs that are adapted to cold climates need a cold period to bloom properly. Without Step #2 of cold-moist stratification, the tulips will grow leaves but they will likely not develop flowers.

    Northern Wildflowers

  • Why can you not go to Step #3 and skip Step #2?

    Victor G. Fulcher

  • Hi Holly,

    Yes, you can buy tulip bulbs and plant them indoors by following the process above. You can also talk to someone at your local gardening store to see if there are some varieties with special requirements.

    Northern Wildflowers

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