Species tulips, just like hybrid tulips, are the iconic signs of spring, but these predecessors to the modern tulip are less commonly found in home gardens. That is not the only thing that distinguishes them; species tulips are smaller, have a longer bloom time, and multiply easily, which is fairly rare with hybrid tulips.

There are around 78 species tulips; they come in many different colors and with a variety of petal types. Species tulips are sought after for their striking looks; some have contrasting colored centers when fully open. Most species tulips act like lily-type tulips, only fully opening on sunny days. At night, and on overcast days, the blooms stay closed. The foliage of species tulips is smaller and less obtrusive than modern tulip varieties.

Where to Plant Species Tulips

The planting site should be in full sun, which is easy to find even in a yard shaded by a deciduous tree later in the year because tulips bloom in the spring when many trees have not yet leafed out. Another important site requirement is excellent soil drainage, especially during the dormancy period of the bulbs in the summer, fall, and winter. The pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline.

Species tulips look great in rock gardens, low perennial borders, or in front of shrubs.

How and When to Plant Species Tulips

Species tulips are planted in the fall. In areas with mild winters, or if the weather is mild and the ground is not yet frozen, the bulbs can be planted as late as December.

A general rule of thumb is to plant the bulbs of species tulips, which are smaller than the bulbs of hybrid tulips, about three times as deep as the bulb is tall. That means a 2-inch bulb should be planted 4 to 6 inches deep. Follow the directions for planting spring bulbs but before planting, make sure the soil has excellent drainage and take the necessary steps to improve soil drainage if necessary.

Space the bulbs 4 inches apart.

Species Tulips Care Tips

Species tulips are just as easy to care for as other tulips.

Light

Species tulips do best in full sun, in a location where they get at least six hours of sunlight every day.

Soil and Water

Well-draining soil is a must for tulips. Originating in rocky, mountainous terrain, species tulips withstand droughts and won't tolerate wet soils. During their summer dormancy, they do best in dry conditions so plant them in places where you won’t be doing much supplemental watering. The optimal pH range is between 6.0 and 6.5.

Temperature and Humidity

The hardiness of species tulips varies; some species are winter-hardy in zone 3 while others need warmer winters and are only hardy in zone 5 and above. High humidity during the summer is usually not a problem because by that time the foliage has disappeared.

Like all tulips, species tulips will only flower if they undergo a chilling period during their dormancy. In zones 8 to 10, the bulbs need to be prechilled in a refrigerator at temperatures between 38 and 45 degrees F.

Adding 2-inch layer of mulch helps to protect the bulbs from temperature spikes and freeze-thaw cycles in the winter, which can affect the flowering and even kill the plants.

Fertilizer

Fertilize the tulips moderately, about 1 teaspoon per plant, three times a year with a granular fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, such as 4-10-6 or 5-10-5: in the fall, in the spring as they emerge, and after the bloom when the plant starts to die back. In the absence of rain, lightly water the plants after fertilizing.

Pruning

Once blooming is finished, deadhead the flowers when they start to die back; that way the plant does not spend its energy developing a seed pod. Allow the foliage to die back naturally and leave it on for six to eight weeks. If it hasn’t disintegrated by that point, remove and discard it.

Potting and Repotting

Growing tulips in pots is problematic, especially in areas with subzero winters, because the bulbs lack the insulation that garden soil provides against the cold. You won’t be able to count on the tulips blooming year after year but you can still grow them as annuals. 

Use a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining, gritty potting mix. If you live in a warm climate that does not meet the chilling period requirement for tulips, purchase pre-chilled bulbs, which can be planted up until January. In a climate with subzero winters, plant the bulbs in pots in the fall. Overwinter the pots in a cool dry area, such as an unheated garage or a cool root cellar. Water infrequently and only when the soil feels dry to the touch. As the tulips are unlikely to bloom again, discard them after the bloom.

Pests and Problems

Tulips are susceptible to various fungal diseases, including tulip fire, a Botrytis blight that specifically affect tulips, and gray mold. Aphids are a common pest. Buying bulbs from a reputable source and ensuring good airflow around the plants by not overcrowding them are important preventive measures to keep the tulips healthy.

How to Propagate Species Tulips

Species tulips can be propagated from seeds; however, it requires isolating the flowers before pollination to prevent hybridization, an undertaking that is not easy to accomplish for home gardeners. And even if the seeds are successfully germinated, it is a test of patience, as new bulbs take three to four years until flowering. Dividing species tulips for propagation is not recommended, as disturbing them may result in them not coming back the next year. For those reasons, it is better to purchase bulbs from a reputable company.

Types of Species Tulips

 Fire Flame Tulip

Tulipa acuminata is a tulip species native to Turkey. The long, pointed, scarlet-red and yellow petals are twisted at the tips and look like flames. The plant reaches 14 to 16 inches in height. Zone 3-9

Tulipa orphanidea ‘Flava’

With its yellow petals and pale green stripes, the star-shaped flowers of this 8- to 10-inch tall cultivar are striking. The species is native to Greece. Zone 5-8

Candia Tulip

Tulipa saxatilis is a short tulip growing only 6 inches in height. It has rose-colored petals with a yellow base. Its native range is in the East Aegean Islands, Crete, and Turkey. Zone 5-10

Tulipa humilis

The flowers of this species are bicolored. 'Alba Coerulea Oculata' is a cultivar with white petals and flowers and deep blue centers and ‘Persian Pearl’ is purple-red with a bright yellow center. Tulipa humilis is found in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and the North Caucasus region of Russia.

Tulipa bakeri ‘Lilac Wonder’

What makes this variety of Tulipa bakeri unusual are the large flowers, rose-lilac petals with contrasting yellow bases on a plant that grows only 7 inches tall. Zone 5-8

Lady Tulip

Tulipa clusiana is an Asian species tulip native to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and the western Himalayas. ‘Cynthia’ is a favored cultivar with yellow and red pointed flowers that grows 8 to 10 inches tall and is suitable for Zone 3-9. ‘Lady Jane’ has rosy-red exterior petals and an ivory white interior with a yellow base. It grows 12 inches tall and is suitable for Zone 4-8. 

Greigii Tulips

Tulipa greigii is a hardy species tulip, not only valued for its two-tone flower shades but also for the purple-maroon streaks on its foliage on plants 12 to 14 inches tall. Popular cultivars are ‘Quebec’ whose rosy-red petals have cream-yellow margins, and ‘Toronto' with coral pink petals. Zone 3-7

Species Tulips Companion Plants

Salvia

Salvia makes a good choice to plant next to species tulips because it thrives in the dry conditions that the dormant bulbs of species tulips need during the summer. There are many different species of salvia; choose a perennial variety with a short, low-growing growth habit so it won’t take over the space where the tulips reemerge in the spring. Zone 3-10

Coreopsis

Coreopsis typically begins blooming in early summer so you won't be without a flowering plant for too long after the species tulips are done. There are many coreopsis to choose from, both annuals and perennials. A compact, non-spreading, dwarf variety works best with tulips. Zone 3-9

California Poppy

Even when California poppies are not in bloom, the blue-gray foliage is pretty and dense enough to cover empty spots created by the withering tulip foliage. California poppies are typically grown as an annual, but they easily reseed in the garden for years to come, yet not in an aggressive way. And they thrive in rocky, well-drained soil just like tulips.