How to grow bulbs in pots

Buy fresh bulbs

each year. Choose plump firm bulbs, avoiding any that feel light or soft. For the pick of the season’s best quality and range, its best to purchase bulbs early in the season, so as not to miss out. Tulips and hyacinths are planted later in warmer climates (when the soil is cooler) but buying them as soon as they are available gives time for a good chill in the fridge before planting.

Gather your pots.

Almost any container will do, provided it has adequate drainage. Sit larger pots on bricks or pot feet. Inexpensive terracotta pots are ideal. The larger the pot the more bulbs can be crammed in for the most spectacular display. If you have a number of smaller pots, filling them all with bulbs will pack a powerful punch in spring.

Plant into fresh potting mix

containing slow release fertiliser. Planting depth depends on the type of bulb. In general bulbs should be planted about twice as deep as their size.

Plant bulbs close together,

so that the pot looks full at flowering time. When planting in the garden soil, spacing is often wider to allow room for bulbs to multiply but in pots it's all about the display.

A cool location

is important to stimulate root and shoot growth. After planting, place the containers in a cool shady place until the shoots appear. To keep cool climate bulbs such as hyacinths really cool, some gardeners place the potted bulbs in a garage fridge. Sinking the pots into the ground until the shoots appear is another option. Watch for slugs and snails though! Snail bait is highly recommended for all bulbs. Also the soil needs to be moist so don’t put them under the trees and forget to water them.

Water

just enough to keep the planting mix evenly moist throughout growth and flowering, but take care not to over-water.

Bring them out into a sunny position

for flowering. Most bulbs need plenty of light to flower well. Full sun is generally best although in warm climates the cool climate bulbs such as tulips will grow in part shade. Few bulbs will grow in full shade, but the dappled shade of a deciduous tree is ideal for woodland flowers such as bluebells.

Feeding

isn’t essential during the first growing season because bulbs come complete with their own packed lunch. However for optimal flower quality and subsequent flowering, feeding is worthwhile. For bulbs in pots use slow release fertiliser and follow up with liquid fertiliser, up to once a fortnight from flowering until the leaves start to turn yellow. Don't use powdered bulb food or animal manures in pots as this risks harming the bulbs.

After flowering

potted bulbs can be saved for planting out in the garden. Once their leaves have died down, lift and store them in a cool dry place over summer. However, flowering success in the second year is variable and depends a lot on climate and the type of bulb. For reliable results in pots it’s best to plant freshly purchased bulbs each autumn.