Tulip Tulipa gesneriana
Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family. It grows 25–60 cm (10–24 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 12 cm (5 in) apart.
Plan Tulip in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Tulip at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 25–60 cm (10–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 12 cm (5 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Tulip toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: bulbs, leaves
Bulbs contain tulipalins that cause drooling, vomiting and stomach upset.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tulip
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Tulip in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (40 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (30 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
Questions about Tulip
- How far apart should I plant Tulip?
- About 12 cm (5 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Tulip need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tulip need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Tulip?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Tulip flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tulip poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Bulbs contain tulipalins that cause drooling, vomiting and stomach upset.
- What grows well with Tulip?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tulip. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Needs winter chill; often treated as short-lived in warm climates.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lily Lilium
- Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis
- Toad lily Tricyrtis hirta
- Snake’s head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris
- Madonna lily Lilium candidum
- Regal lily Lilium regale
- Easter lily Lilium longiflorum
- Tiger lily Lilium lancifolium