Tulip (Tulipa heweri)
Care, watering, light and tips for Tulip on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Liliaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Tulip
Tulipa heweri, known as hehkutulppaani, is a charming wild tulip species native to Central Asia. It stands out for its delicate cup-shaped flowers, which are typically a vibrant reddish-orange, often with a dark base, and open gracefully in spring. It is ideal for rock gardens, dry garden borders, or for naturalizing in meadows, adding a touch of wild and elegant color.
Native range
Eastern Turkey and the Southern Caucasus
Care tips
It requires full sun and very well-drained soil, preferably sandy or stony, to prevent bulb rot. Watering should be moderate during its growth and flowering, and completely stopped once the leaves yellow, as it prefers dry conditions in summer. A common mistake is overwatering during its dormancy period or planting it in heavy, clayey soils, which almost always leads to bulb loss.
How to save a dying Tulip
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or soft leaves, weak or fallen stem, lack of flowering, or premature wilting flowers.
- First aid
- Check the bulb: if soft or foul-smelling, cut off affected parts. If soil is waterlogged, remove and dry the bulb. If soil is dry, water.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (bulb rot) or lack of prior chilling (no or weak flowering).
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the bulb is not completely rotted; recovery is slow but possible.