Tulip
Tulipa × gesneriana
Also called Garden tulip
Garden plant · BulbsPlant them deep — three times the height of the bulb — and late, in November. Shallow and early is why they come back blind the second year.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Once a weekWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
- Size
- 0.4 m tall · 0.15 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- Uncertain — a garden hybrid of Central Asian species
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
The bulb most of all.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category C — harmful if eaten, and a skin allergen. Tulip fingers is a real occupational rash.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.