What Is Moderate Sunlight for Tulips?

Bulbs

• Tulips ordered through mail order catalogs or purchased from gardening stores are often in the form of bulbs. It's best to plant them as soon as possible. However, bulbs can be stored after purchase but should never be placed in direct sunlight before planting. Store bulbs in a cool, dry area with only indirect sunlight to maintain the integrity and health of the bulbs. Tulip bulbs that are dug out of the ground, split and kept indoors through the winter should be stored in a similar way.

Outdoor Planting

• Tulips are very forgiving flowers when it comes to the amount of sunlight they need to grow and thrive. They will do very well when planted in areas where there is full sun, but areas of partial shade will also give the moderate amount of sunlight needed. Tulips begin to grow in the early spring, and during this time the most sunlight is required to start the growth. Trees have not yet developed leaves at this time, so tulips planted as part of a landscape design can have access to more direct sunlight in the spring than they will in the summer and fall. The hardy nature of tulips allows them to thrive even if planted late in the season and positioned in an area that is in the shade for much of the day.

Cut Flowers

• Expose cut tulips to the right conditions and the proper amount of sunlight and they can last for more than a week. A tall, narrow vase will be just as effective as a short, wide one, as the shape of the vase does not have a significant impact on allowing sunlight to reach the individual leaves and flowers of the bouquet. Ambient light from a window will provide the moderate sunlight needed for the cut flowers to not only survive but to continue growing. Position the vase in an area that does not receive direct sunlight from the window but is flooded with indirect light through the day.

Climate Considerations

• Areas such as USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10 have long, hot summers and winters where the average temperatures might not drop below freezing. Tulips planted in these warm environments need less sunlight than those planted in colder climates with shorter growing times. Shaded areas such as beneath trees and on the shady side of the home will provide a moderate amount of sunlight; coupled with other environmental factors tulips in these areas will grow as tall and full as northern tulips in full sunlight. In the fall, these tulips will also be exposed to enough sunlight that they can store nutrients and energy in the bulbs in preparation for a relatively short and mild winter.