When to Plant Spring Bulbs: Month by Month

Plant most spring bulbs between September and November. The trick is planting them in the right order: crocus, daffodils and hyacinths first, alliums in the middle, and tulips last of all in November. Get that order right and you’ll have flowers from February to June.

This page is your at-a-glance planting chart for every common spring bulb. It tells you which bulbs to plant each month, how deep they go and what to do if you’re running late. For the finer detail on one bulb, follow the links to its own guide.

Spring bulb planting chart

This table shows when to plant each spring bulb, how deep it goes and when to expect flowers.

Depth is measured to the base of the bulb. As a rule, bury a bulb two to three times its own height. Big bulbs go deeper, little ones nearer the surface.

Why does the planting order matter?

Bulbs need a cool autumn to grow roots before winter. Some need longer than others, so they go in first.

Crocus, daffodils and hyacinths like a long rooting season, so plant them as early as September. Tulips are the odd one out. They’re happy to go in late, and waiting until November helps them dodge a fungal disease called tulip fire, which spreads in warm, damp soil.

All spring bulbs need a spell of winter cold to flower well. That’s why bulbs in pots should stay outside over winter rather than come into a warm house.

September: crocus, daffodils, hyacinths and snowdrops

September is the time to start, once the soil has cooled after summer. Get these in first.

Daffodils like a long rooting season, so get them in during September or October, in groups for a natural look.

Daffodils want a long season to root. Plant them 10-15cm deep, about 10cm apart, in groups for a natural look. Dwarf types such as ‘Tête-à-Tête’ can go closer, and suit pots. Our guide on when to plant daffodil bulbs covers timing in more detail.

Crocus corms go about 8cm deep and 8cm apart. They look best in drifts, in borders or under deciduous trees.

Hyacinths go 10-15cm deep, about 10cm apart. Wear gloves to handle them, as the bulbs can make skin itch.

Dry snowdrop bulbs should go in as soon as you buy them, 5-8cm deep. They dry out quickly, so don’t leave them in the shed.

Plant crocus in early autumn and you’ll see them flowering through frosty grass alongside the snowdrops by February.

October: carry on, and start the alliums

October is fine for everything you didn’t get done in September. Daffodils, crocus and hyacinths planted now still flower well.

It’s also a good month for alliums. Small types such as drumstick allium go about 10cm deep. Big ones like ‘Purple Sensation’ and ‘Globemaster’ need 15-20cm. Plant them among perennials, which hide the allium leaves as they yellow before flowering.

Grape hyacinths (muscari) go in now too, about 8cm deep. They’re lovely under tulips in pots.

If you want to plant bulbs in your lawn, October is ideal. Lift a plug of turf with a bulb planter, drop the bulb in, and push the turf back.

Alliums planted in autumn give you big purple globes in May and June. Tuck them among perennials to hide their leaves.

November: the best month for tulips

November is tulip month. Plant tulips 15-20cm deep and about 10cm apart. Deep planting helps them stand up straight and come back better the next year.

Tulips go in last, in November, about 15-20cm deep. A little grit underneath helps on heavy clay.

Finish any alliums and late daffodils now too. Daffodils planted this late still flower, though sometimes a little later.

On heavy clay, add a handful of grit to the bottom of each hole so the bulb isn’t sitting in wet soil. Our guide on when to plant tulip bulbs goes into tulips in more depth, and how to grow tulips covers care through to flowering.

Warning: Daffodil, tulip, hyacinth and allium bulbs are poisonous to dogs and cats if eaten. Store them out of reach and keep dogs from digging up newly planted beds.

Planting bulbs late in December or January

You can still plant spring bulbs in December, and even January, if the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. A late bulb in the ground is better than a dried-up bulb in a bag.

Snowdrops planted ‘in the green’ just after flowering settle in far better than dry bulbs bought in autumn.

Tulips cope best with late planting. Daffodils and crocus may flower later or more sparsely in their first spring, then catch up the year after. If your soil is frozen, plant bulbs in pots instead and keep them outside.

Late winter is also the time for snowdrops in the green. These are snowdrops sold or lifted just after flowering, with their leaves still on. They settle in far more reliably than dry bulbs. Our guide to planting bulbs in the green explains how.

How to plant spring bulbs in pots

Almost every spring bulb grows well in a pot. Pots are perfect for patios, balconies and anyone with heavy clay soil.

Use a pot with drainage holes and fill it with peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with some grit. Plant at roughly the same depth as in the ground, but you can space bulbs closer, almost touching. Keep pots outside over winter and stand them on pot feet so they don’t sit in water.

For months of colour from one pot, try lasagne planting. Tulips go at the bottom, daffodils in the middle and crocus or muscari near the top. Each layer flowers in turn from late winter to late spring. Our guide to bulb lasagne planting shows how to build one.

A pot packed with hyacinths, tulips, crocus and muscari gives weeks of colour from one autumn planting session.

Buying and storing bulbs before planting

Bulbs reach the shops from late summer. Buy them while the choice is good, then store them until it’s time to plant.

Choose bulbs that are firm and heavy with no mould or soft patches. Bigger bulbs usually give bigger flowers. Keep them in paper or net bags somewhere cool, dry and airy, like a shed or garage. Don’t store them in sealed plastic, which makes them go mouldy. Keep them away from ripening fruit, as it can damage the flower buds inside.

Common bulb planting mistakes

Most bulb failures come down to a few easy slips. Here’s what to watch for.

• Planting tulips too early. Warm soil in September makes tulip fire more likely. Wait until November.
• Planting too shallow. Shallow bulbs flop, dry out and get dug up. Go two to three times the bulb’s height.
• Planting upside down. The pointed tip goes up. If you can’t tell, plant it on its side.
• Wet soil. Bulbs rot in waterlogged ground. Add grit on clay, or use pots or raised beds.
• Leaving bulbs in the bag. Dry, forgotten bulbs shrivel. Plant late rather than not at all.

Squirrels love freshly planted tulip and crocus bulbs. Laying chicken wire over the bed until shoots appear helps, and our guide to stopping squirrels digging up bulbs has more ideas. The RHS guide to planting bulbs is handy too. Browse more bulbs and flowers in our plants hub.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant spring bulbs in the UK?

September to November is the main window. Start with crocus, daffodils and hyacinths in September and October. Tulips go in last, in November.

Can I plant spring bulbs in December or January?

Yes, if the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Tulips cope best with late planting. Late daffodils and crocus may flower a little later or more sparsely in their first spring.

How deep should I plant spring bulbs?

Plant most bulbs two to three times their own height deep. That is about 10-15cm for daffodils, 15-20cm for tulips and 8cm for crocus.

Why should tulips be planted later than other bulbs?

Later planting helps tulips avoid tulip fire. This fungal disease spreads more easily in warm, damp autumn soil, so waiting until November gives a cleaner start.

Do I need to soak bulbs before planting?

No, firm, healthy bulbs don’t need soaking. Plant them into moist soil and they’ll root on their own. Throw away any that are soft or mouldy.

Can I plant spring bulbs in pots?

Yes, almost all spring bulbs grow well in pots. Use a pot with drainage holes and peat-free compost with added grit, and keep it outside over winter.

Once your bulbs have flowered, read our guide to spring bulb care after flowering so they come back strong next year.