Why Are My Tulips Not Growing? Causes & Fixes

If your tulips aren’t sprouting or producing healthy growth, there’s usually a simple reason. The most common causes are poor bulb quality, planting too shallow or late, lack of winter chilling, soggy soil, or nutrient deficiencies. Tulips need a cool dormant period, free-draining soil, and consistent feeding to perform well. By correcting planting conditions and supporting bulbs with the right fertiliser, you can bring them back to life and ensure stronger growth next season.

Main Reasons Tulips Fail to Grow

• Poor bulb quality: Soft, mouldy, or undersized bulbs often fail to sprout. Always choose firm, heavy bulbs.
• Wrong planting depth: Bulbs planted too shallow are vulnerable to heat and drying out, while too deep can delay sprouting.
• Lack of chilling: Tulips need 10–12 weeks of cold at 2–8 °C. In warm regions, unchilled bulbs may not grow at all.
• Waterlogging: Constantly wet soil rots bulbs before they emerge. Pots and beds must drain freely.
• Late planting: If bulbs go in too late (after soil warms), roots don’t establish properly before dormancy.
• Nutrient deficiency: Bulbs without stored energy or grown in poor soil struggle to push leaves and stems.