How to plant tulips in pots – the best ways to plant tulip bulbs in containers for dazzling spring displays

Busy planting up next year's garden? You might be wondering how to plant tulips in pots – and if you're looking for tips, you've come to the right place.

If you're aware of the rules around when to plant tulip bulbs, you'll know that November is the prime month. Knowing how to plant bulbs in the ground is one thing, but what about pots? Well, when it comes to tulips, it's a piece of cake.

'Tulips are incredibly versatile, and adapt well to being grown in pots,' says Josh Novell, garden plants expert and director at Polhill Garden Centre. 'They have relatively simple needs and a robust bulb which is able to thrive in a variety of soil conditions.'

We've checked in with gardening experts to pull together this guide to planting tulips in pots so you can say hello to pretty displays next spring.

How to plant tulips in pots

Although learning how to plant tulips in pots is one of the easier jobs to do in the garden in November, unfortunately, it isn't a case of bish-bash-boshing the bulbs into containers and leaving them to it.

That said, do it once, and you'll basically have the technique in your muscle memory going forward.

'Tulips are very easy bulbs to grow,' promises Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants, which he established after graduating with a Commercial Horticulture Degree from Writtle College, Essex in 1992.

With those reassuring words ringing in our ears, then, let's get started.

What you will need:

As ever, it's best to get everything you need to plant tulips ready before you get started. After all, there's nothing worse than having to pause halfway through a task to go and get a few missing bits and bobs.

• A large pot or container, like this terracotta bowl from Homebase
• A selection of tulip bulbs from Crocus
• A measured dibber like the D.A.Y. Wooden Dibber from Amazon
• A bag of multi-purpose compost like Miracle-Gro's Peat-Free Premium All Purpose Compost from Amazon
• Enough patience to see you through to spring

Step-by-step guide:

Now that you've gathered all your tools and equipment, it's time to learn how to plant tulips in pots.

Ready, steady... plant.

1. Choose a generous pot or container

Bigger really is better when it comes to planting tulips in pots!

'Tulips can be quite prolific in the growth that they make so always go larger than smaller,' says Morris. 'As a guide, a 30cm diameter pot will take around 10 bulbs.'

Christopher O'Donoghue, one of the co-directors of Gardens Revived, agrees, adding: 'Use a pot with good drainage to prevent waterlogged soil, and remember that a larger pot will allow for a more attractive display.'

Christopher O'Donoghue

A gardener with over a decade of experience under his belt, Christopher set up Gardens Revived with his brother, Andrew, in 2018 to create a thriving family business. Together, they have worked on residential gardens, listed buildings and gardens, flower shows and large estates with some exceeding 70 acres – many with historical significance.

To keep your tulip bulbs from getting soggy, both experts advise adding some crocks (pieces of broken tile or clay pot) to the bottom of your pot. You could also incorporate some horticultural grit like Westland's Potting Grit from Amazon for added drainage.

This, they say, should help drain away water after heavy winter rains.

2. Pay attention to depth

It's all about depth when it comes to successfully planting tulip bulbs, whether you're popping them in a pot or directly into soil. That's why many gardeners wonder whether you can plant bulbs too deep.

'Like with many other bulbs, planting depth and spacing are key,' says Josh from Polhill Garden Centre. 'Plant them at a depth of between six and eight inches and space them between three and four inches apart.'

Christopher adds that you should plant the bulbs with the pointed end up, or sideways, if you aren't sure which way is up. 'They should right themselves in the soil as they grow,' he says.

Of course, you can mix-and-match your tulip bulbs with other flowers to create a bulb lasagne if you like: just be sure to layer them properly and avoid overcrowding.

'Plant up a container with the largest bulbs at the bottom, like tulips, and cover with soil,' says Mark Lane, presenter on Gardener’s World and gardening expert at Stannah. 'Plant smaller bulbs on top, such as daffodils, fill in with more soil and then plant scilla and finally snowdrops or cyclamen.

'The bulbs will flower in turn and give you interest from March right through to the end of April or early May.'

3. Give them a moment to settle

Once you've finished planting your tulip bulbs, Morris says you should fill the rest of the pot with compost and firm it gently.

'Thoroughly water the bulbs to settle the soil and remove any air pockets,' advises Christopher. 'And be sure to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.'

Then, place the pots in a location that receives full sun to partial shade (somewhere they will receive at least six hours of sunlight per day).

4. And... wait

All you have to do now is wait until spring for your tulip bulbs to bloom. Although, if temperatures drop dramatically over winter, you might fancy popping your pots in a greenhouse with a little fleece around them to keep them warm.

FAQs

When should tulips be planted in pots?

If you've been wondering when to plant bulbs for spring, autumn is the best time to get started. Tulips, though, are best planted in November, when temperatures are cooler – planting tulips in pots later than other spring bulbs will help your bulbs avoid the dreaded tulip fire disease while giving them plenty of time to settle in before the winter weather arrives.

Do tulips in pots come back every year?

Tulips are perennials, meaning they should come back every year, whether they're planted in pots or the ground. However, many varieties are a one-hit-wonder, meaning they'll flower reliably the first year but not the years that follow. That's why most gardeners treat tulips as annuals.

That said, learning how to plant tulips in pots is a breeze, so planting fresh bulbs each year won't take up too much of your time!

As we said, learning how to plant tulips in pots is pretty simple. So, get planting! You'd best get a wriggle on if you fancy a springtime display of your own next year.