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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Tulipa gesneriana is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. didieri. T. suaveolens. Hayek. non Roth.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Bulb - cooked[22, 61]. It can be dried and ground into a powder and then mixed with cereals when making bread etc[46, 105]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Pollution

Plants have been grown indoors in pots in order to help remove toxins from the atmosphere. It has been shown to help remove formaldehyde, xylene and ammonia[259].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a sunny position in a well-drained sandy soil with added leafmould[1]. The bulbs are very hardy, surviving soil temperatures down to about -12°c[214]. This is a complicated species, or perhaps a group of very closely related species, some members of which are probably native to Europe[50]. It is a parent of the cultivated garden tulips[50]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. Bulbs can be harvested in June after they have died down and then stored in a cool dry place, being planted out again in October[1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a shady part of the cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early summer[1], or in the early autumn[200]. A spring sowing of stored seed in the greenhouse also succeeds[K]. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be grown on without disturbance for their first growing season - apply liquid feeds to the pot if necessary. Divide the bulbs once the plants have become dormant, putting 3 - 4 bulbs in each pot. Grow the on in the greenhouse for at least the next year, planting them out when dormant. Division of offsets in July. Larger bulbs can be planted out straight into their permanent positions, or can be stored in a cool place and then be planted out in late autumn. It is best to pot up smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out when they are dormant in late summer to the middle of autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal
Tulipa clusiana stellata		Bulb	0.2	-		LM	N	M	1	0
Tulipa edulis		Bulb	0.2	6-9	S	LM	N	M	2	2
Tulipa montana		Bulb	0.1	5-9	S	LM	N	M	1	0
Tulipa sylvestris	wild tulip	Bulb	0.3	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Tulipa gesneriana - L.