Knowing how far apart to space bulbs in a pot will ensure that your spring blooms thrive, giving your planting schemes an edge and creating the best possible display.
Bulbs grow well in pots, and in the fall we tend to plant snowdrops, daffodils, tulips, fritillaries and crocus, which all produce brilliant and vibrant displays. In the spring, you can plant canna lilies and agapanthus, while in early summer, it is time to plant autumn-blooming crocus, nerines and cyclamen. Whatever, you choose to grow, knowing how to space the bulbs is important.
Planting bulbs too close together or too far apart is one of the most common bulb-planting mistakes, but easy to avoid when you know what to do. Here, our guide has all the information you need to succeed.
Different sized bulbs need different spacings and getting that right will make all the difference to your planting scheme
(Image credit: Getty Images/Jackie Bale)
Placing your bulbs the right distance apart in pots helps avoid overcrowding, which can diminish growth and flowering. It also prevents under-planting, which makes your containers look sparse and threadbare. It also gives bulbs space to mature, grow and develop offsets that can be detached and planted independently to increase your plant stocks. Here, we explain the right planting distance for different bulb sizes.
1. Small bulbs
Crocuses are just one of many small-bulbed plants that grow beautifully in a container
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Sergey Kolyakin)
Some of the best spring bulbs to plant in the fall are the smallest varieties such as crocus, Iris cristata, Muscari and early-flowering glory of the snow, which look impressive when grown in a pot.
The same applies to species tulips, which are smaller and hardier than bedding tulips, and small varieties of alliums.
For the best results space them roughly 2-3 inches apart, though you can grow them closer together in smaller containers and still get a ‘wow’ display.
Crocus bulbs are available from Walmart.
2. Medium sized bulbs
Daffodils and tulips planted together in a pot can offer a wonderful contrast of shapes and colors
(Image credit: iBulb)
Medium-sized bulbs such as the myriad varieties of standard-sized tulips and narcissus (daffodils) should be planted 3-4 inches apart, although again, they can be closer together in containers.
Tulip and daffodil bulbs often produce bulblets, or offsets, as they mature, and after a few years may need digging up and splitting to avoid overcrowding.
The offsets can be planted independently to create their own display.
Tulip bulbs are available from Walmart.
3. Large bulbs
Plant lilies in pots in the fall for a dramatic display next summer
(Image credit: Shutterstock/InnaFelker)
Larger bulbs such as lilies, big alliums such as ‘Globemaster’, hyacinths and fall-flowering nerines need a bit more breathing space, so give them around 4-6 inches between each other.
Nerines, which are planted in early to mid-summer, should have their ‘nose’ poking just above the top of the potting soil.
As with all bulbs, planting in odd numbers helps to create a more natural and relaxed display, as you have less of a tendency to plant in identically-sized, regimented rows.
4. Indoor hyacinths
Forced hyacinths bring welcome color and scent to the winter home
(Image credit: Future/Ruth Hayes)
Planting hyacinth bulbs indoors in the fall is a wonderful way of adding spectacular scent and color to the home in the new year. Hyacinth bulbs are available from Walmart.
These are bulbs that have been ‘forced’, put through an artificial spell of cold so they ‘think’ they have been through winter and start to shoot and bloom several weeks earlier than those in the garden.
Indoor hyacinths and other forced bulbs are planted in bowls of bulb fiber or multipurpose potting soil and should be set close together, but not touching.
When I plant forced hyacinths I usually leave a half-inch gap between each bulb.
I then cover most of the bulbs with bulb fiber, so just the tips are poking out, lightly dampen the fiber, and place the pot in a dark drawer or cupboard for a few weeks, checking regularly and re-wetting the compost if needed.
When the bulbs start to grow, bring them into the light and set them somewhere cool and bright. The shoots will start yellow but soon turn a healthy green.
For showstopping blooms, try growing these pink, red and white hyacinth bulbs in a container. What’s more, the heady aroma is a sign that spring is here.
5. Common potted bulb problems
Squirrels are a menace and will unearth and eat bulbs if they can
(Image credit: forbesimages / Getty Images)
Planting bulbs in pots can have just the same problems as planting in the soil, but knowing how to deal with them will help keep your bulbs safe.
One of the main enemies of bulb planting is squirrels, which love to dig up and eat our precious bulbs, often as soon as they have been planted.
There are several ways of stopping squirrels from finding and digging up bulbs, and one of the easiest things to do is to keep your bulbs in a bucket as you plant, so their scent stays off the ground.
Another common problem is when bulbs produce plenty of leaves but fail to flower. This ‘blindness’ usually happens because they haven’t been planted deeply enough, are in a spot with poor soil, or aren’t getting enough sun.
The best solution is to dig them up once the leaves have died back and replant them at the correct depth in fresh potting soil with added fertilizer.
When the bulbs start to appear next year, move their container to a sunny, sheltered spot for the best results.
FAQs
What potting soil should I use?
Your bulbs will thrive in a good multipurpose potting soil with an added granular fertilizer such as this Burpee Natural Purpose Granular Organic Food from Amazon.
Bulbs are prone to rotting in wet conditions so add some grit or perlite to open up the potting mix and improve drainage, and always raise your pots off the ground so excess water can run away. These heavy-duty pot elevators on Amazon are a great way of getting rid of surplus moisture and keeping your bulbs safe.
Should I feed my bulbs in pots?
Once the flower buds form, feed weekly with high-potassium tomato fertilizer to encourage healthy blooms. After flowering, continue to feed with a general-purpose fertilizer as the leaves die back, as this will help strengthen and nourish the bulbs for next year’s display.
My bulbs are increasing, what should I do?
This is good news because it means the plants are healthy and maturing. If the clumps get too large or aren’t flowering as well as they used to, carefully dig them up when they have finished flowering and the leaves have shriveled back.
Gently separate the bulbs and remove young bulblets from the parent bulb, before replanting the bulbs in pots or smaller groups around your garden. Discard any that look rotten, are soft, or have signs of pest attacks.
Always deadhead your potted bulbs as the flowers fade and when they have finished blooming let the leaves die back naturally, as this will feed the bulbs and encourage them to perform well next year too.
They will look scruffy as they die back so move your pots out of the way. Never cut off or knot the leaves as they wither, as this will prevent them from producing energy that is returned to the bulb.
Properly spacing bulbs in a pot is key to ensuring your spring blooms thrive and create a stunning display. Bulbs like snowdrops, daffodils, tulips, fritillaries, and crocus can all be planted in pots for beautiful displays throughout the seasons.
It’s important to avoid planting bulbs too close together or too far apart, as this can affect their growth and flowering. Here’s a guide to help you space bulbs correctly based on their size:
Different sized bulbs need different spacings and getting that right will make all the difference to your planting scheme
(Image credit: Getty Images/Jackie Bale)
Spacing your bulbs correctly in pots prevents overcrowding, allows for proper growth and development, and enhances the overall look of your container gardens. Here’s how to space bulbs based on their size:
1. Small bulbs
Crocuses are just one of many small-bulbed plants that grow beautifully in a container
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Sergey Kolyakin)
For small bulbs like crocus, Iris cristata, Muscari, and early-flowering glory of the snow, space them roughly 2-3 inches apart for best results.
Some other small bulbs like species tulips and small varieties of alliums can also be planted closer together in smaller containers.
Crocus bulbs are available from Walmart.
2. Medium sized bulbs
Daffodils and tulips planted together in a pot can offer a wonderful contrast of shapes and colors
(Image credit: iBulb)
Medium-sized bulbs like standard-sized tulips and narcissus (daffodils) should be planted 3-4 inches apart in pots. These bulbs may produce bulblets as they mature, which can be replanted to create new displays.
Tulip bulbs are available from Walmart.
3. Large bulbs
Plant lilies in pots in the fall for a dramatic display next summer
(Image credit: Shutterstock/InnaFelker)
Large bulbs like lilies, big alliums, hyacinths, and nerines should be spaced 4-6 inches apart in pots to allow for proper growth.
Planting in odd numbers and avoiding regimented rows can create a more natural and relaxed display.
4. Indoor hyacinths
Forced hyacinths bring welcome color and scent to the winter home
(Image credit: Future/Ruth Hayes)
Indoor hyacinths planted in the fall can add color and scent to your home in the new year. These forced bulbs should be planted close together in bowls of bulb fiber or potting soil.
When planting forced hyacinths, leave a half-inch gap between each bulb and cover them with bulb fiber, ensuring only the tips are poking out. Keep the pots in a dark place until the bulbs start to grow, then move them to a bright spot for optimal growth.
For showstopping blooms, try growing these pink, red and white hyacinth bulbs in a container. What’s more, the heady aroma is a sign that spring is here.
5. Common potted bulb problems
Squirrels are a menace and will unearth and eat bulbs if they can
(Image credit: forbesimages / Getty Images)
When planting bulbs in pots, be aware of common issues like squirrels digging up bulbs. To prevent this, keep bulbs in a bucket as you plant to mask their scent.
If bulbs fail to flower, they may not have been planted deeply enough or may lack sunlight. Replant them at the correct depth with fresh soil and fertilizer for better results.
FAQs
What potting soil should I use?
Use a good multipurpose potting soil with added fertilizer for optimal bulb growth. Adding grit or perlite can improve drainage and prevent rotting.
Should I feed my bulbs in pots?
Feed bulbs weekly with high-potassium fertilizer once flower buds form to encourage healthy blooms. After flowering, continue feeding with a general-purpose fertilizer to nourish the bulbs.
My bulbs are increasing, what should I do?
If bulbs are multiplying, dig them up after flowering, separate them, and replant in pots or garden beds. Discard any unhealthy bulbs and pests.
Remember to deadhead fading flowers and allow leaves to die back naturally to feed the bulbs for next year’s display.
For best results, move pots out of sight as leaves wither, and avoid cutting or tying them, as this can hinder bulb energy production.