Bulb · Liliaceae family
garden tulip
Tulipa gesneriana
In short a 10-second read
Garden tulip (bulb) grows to 0.25–0.6 m tall and 0.15–0.23 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in average soil. It flowers in April–May; the flowers are red, pink, yellow, orange, white or purple. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 0.15–0.23 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in average soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, loamy, sandy
Soil pH 6–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 1–1 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–May · red, pink, yellow, orange, white or purple
Pruning
deadhead spent flowers (May); let the leaves turn yellow (May–June)
Planting
bulb: September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does garden tulip flower?
In April–May; the flowers are red, pink, yellow, orange, white or purple.
Does garden tulip tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does garden tulip need?
At maturity 0.15–0.23 m wide and 0.25–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 12 cm.
Does garden tulip survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (16)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Tulipa
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Tulipa
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Tulipa gesneriana
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Tulipa gesneriana
- Wikidata (CC0) — Tulipa gesneriana
- EPPO Global Database — Tulipa gesneriana
- anatomicke-pomocky.sk — „Tulipán záhradný – Tulipa gesneriana"
- RHS - Bulbs: growing guide
- RHS - Tulipa gesneriana
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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