How to Get Tulip Bulbs

Get tulip bulbs from a mail-order catalog if you want exotic varieties. Ordering from mail-order bulb catalogs is a great way to get rare or exotic tulip bulbs that aren’t available in your area. It’s also convenient since the bulbs are delivered right to your door.^[5]

• If you don’t already have a subscription to a catalog, sign up for one online, or look for online catalogs so you can order over the internet.
• Search online for reviews of different mail-order catalogs to find ones that are reputable. You can also try searching "reputable mail-order seed catalogs" or "best seed catalogs."

Order from an online auction site if catalogs don't have the bulbs you want. Some online auction sites, like eBay, have vendors that sell tulip bulbs. Like a mail-order catalog, online auction sites have a greater variety of bulbs than nurseries or garden centers, and they may be cheaper.^[6]

• If you decide to use an online auction site, read reviews from other customers on the auction site to find out which vendors are reputable.

Order your bulbs at the start of fall so you have them in time to plant. When you order bulbs from a catalog or online, it's a good idea to do it early in the fall in case they take a long time to ship.^[7]

• Buying tulip bulbs early on will also give you more options to choose from since there will be more in stock.

Make sure your tulip bulbs feel firm when they arrive. If they feel soft or mushy, it's a sign they're unhealthy. Healthy tulip bulbs will feel firm when you squeeze them.

• If you receive unhealthy bulbs in the mail, reach out to the vendor over email or by phone and ask for a refund.

Choose tulip bulbs that will thrive in your climate. Not all tulip bulbs are the same. Some varieties can handle warmer conditions than others. Before you buy a type of bulb, make sure you read the label or description to see which climate it’s suitable for. If you’re not sure, ask a staff member for assistance or research it online.^[8]

• Most tulips do best in climates with cold winters and hot, dry summers. If you live somewhere with milder winters, look for bulbs that don’t rely as much on the cold.

Get perennial tulip bulbs if you want them to grow back every year. Perennial tulip bulbs grow back every year, while annual bulbs only bloom once. If you don’t want to plant new bulbs every year, look for tulip bulb varieties that are labeled as perennial. Some perennial tulip bulbs you can plant are:^[9]

• Tulip olympic flame
• Tulip peppermint stick
• Tulip negrita
• Tulip spring green