5 Reasons Your Tulips Aren’t Blooming (and What to Do About It)

Tulips are springing up all over in a riot of gorgeous spring color. But if your garden’s tulip bulbs seem to have been duds, and you’re seeing stunted growth, a lack of blooms, or worse yet—no growth at all—you’re probably wondering what went wrong. Fortunately, we’ve got some pro tips to help you troubleshoot your tulip problem—and fixes for the most common reasons for tulip failure. Avoid these potential roadblocks so you can end up with a bumper crop next season.

You’re Relying on Old Tulip Bulbs

Technically, tulips can come back year after year, and most bulb growers suggest that they can brighten your garden for three to five years before they need to be replaced. But that means that tulips tend to fizzle out faster in your garden than some other bulb flowers, such as daffodils. You may find that some tulips only bloom once before they disappear from your garden for good.

Your fix: If you don’t want to take your chances that your bulbs don’t produce next season, splurge on a new bag of bulbs every year to ensure a full array of tulip blooms to enjoy.

“We recommend replanting the bulbs every year,” says Patrick Marini, director of marketing at Holland Ridge Farms, a tulip farm in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. “We have actually tried leaving them in the ground and typically only around 50% grow back. The ones that do also run the risk of disease since they are not stored in optimal conditions.”

Critters Munched on the Bulbs or Plants

Bulbs can be a favorite snack for deer, squirrels, and rabbits—and tulips tend to be one of the most common targets. “Deer and squirrels are the worst offenders,” Marini says.

Your fix: To protect your tulip bulbs, plant them at least six inches deep, and consider placing chicken wire around the newly planted bulbs, or spraying and sprinkling the area with a pest deterrent. You can even sprinkle red pepper flakes in the soil when you place your bulbs to help protect them.

The Bulbs Weren’t Stored Correctly

Bulbs need a cool, dry environment to properly ready themselves for a spring show, Marini says. If your bulbs weren’t treated carefully, you may not see the proper growth—or if it’s too moist, the bulbs could rot.

Your fix: Ensure that the bulbs are kept in the proper (cool, dry) conditions before you’re ready to plant them.

You Picked a Shady Spot to Plant Your Tulips

Tulips are a full-sun plant—so if you’ve planted them in a part-shade or full-shade spot, the flowers may not quite reach their full potential. “Typically tulips grow shorter in the shade and taller in full sun,” Marini says.

Your fix: Next year, plant your bulbs in a sunnier location in your garden to help your tulips thrive.

Your Garden Soil Doesn’t Drain Properly

Tulips don’t like too much moisture—and if the spot you picked tends to be moist and soggy for portions of the year, you’ll likely find that the bulbs got moldy and rotted.

Your fix: Choose a part of your garden that drains well, so the bulbs aren’t subjected to too much moisture.