How to Keep Tulips Alive

Inspect the tulip bulbs before planting. Dispose of any with cuts, bruises or soft spots, as these are more prone to disease or rotting in the bed. Larger bulbs tend to store more nutrients, so they produce better flowers, and the bulb lives longer in the garden.

Plant the bulbs in a full-sun bed that drains well and doesn't collect puddled water. Set the bulbs in the soil so the bottom of the bulb sits 6 inches beneath the soil. Space the bulbs 8 to 12 inches apart so they don't become crowded too quickly.

Water newly planted tulips thoroughly so the soil is moist throughout the entire planting depth. Mulch over the new bulbs with 2 to 3 inches of mulch. The first watering and application of mulch keeps the soil moist so the tulips can establish good roots and live for a long time.

Fertilize the tulips each spring when new growth first pushes through the soil. Apply a bulb fertilizer at the package-recommended rate for your bed size. Yearly applications of fertilizer supply the bulbs with the necessary nutrients for continued health.

Keep the bed moist when the tulips are actively growing in the spring, but don't allow the bed to become soggy. The tulips collect and store nutrients during the spring growth period for the following year, so failure to supply these nutrients can result in poor blooms or bulb death the next spring.

Cut back the foliage only after it dies back on its own, usually six to eight weeks after flowering. The foliage collects energy from the sun to refuel the bulb so it can remain alive for the following year.

Dig and divide the bulbs when they become crowded, typically every three to four years. Crowded bulbs must compete for water, sun and nutrients, which can shorten their life or result in poor blooming. Replant the dug bulbs at the initial spacing.