The Cost of Tulips

Last Updated on October 13, 2021
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Tulips are some of the most beautiful spring flowers, with over 150 species of tulips worldwide and about 3,000 varieties. Tulip – is native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and Asia, from Anatolia and Iran to China and Japan. The most diverse areas in terms of tulip species are the Pamir Mountains, the Hindu Kush Mountains, and the steppes of Kazakhstan.

Although the country of tulips is now considered the Netherlands, it is far from the country of origin of these beautiful flowers. The name tulip comes from Persian and means turban, referring to the shape of tulip flowers.

How much do tulips cost?

You might think that the cost of tulips will depend solely on their color, grade/quality, or where you purchase them. True enough, most flowers are seasonal and only available for a certain length of time but this does not explain why they can vary so much in price depending upon which type we’re talking about (since white seems more popular than pink). One big factor affecting pricing is how many plants one buys at once. If there’s no shortage then expect to pay anywhere between $1.5 and $4 per stem and $15 to $28 per dozen coming at around $1.7 each.

If you’re looking for a specific color, it’s best to go with what is in season and popular. Read through our table below to know how much would you pay at your local retailer or florist for these flowers.

At Sam’S Club, you would pay around $120 for 100 white tulips.

On the other hand, a bag containing 10 bulbs costs anywhere between $5 and $11.

You might also like our articles about the cost of sunflowers, carnation flowers, or peonies.

In case you have to make a surprise and sent someone a tulip bouquet, plan to spend around $35 to $110, depending on the florist you choose and the arrangement.

You can find better prices on Amazon, which range anywhere between $35 and $60 for the best-selling bouquets.

At U-pick farms, prices are a little bit lower, one stem retailing for $2 to $3.

For example, at the Texas Tulip farm in Pilot Point Texas, you would pay around $2.5 for one stem.

Tulip varieties

• Darwin tulips are the first species of tulip grown in the Netherlands. They are known for cup-shaped flowers in bright colors such as yellow, orange, red, and pink. Darwin tulips in two colors are also common in flower fields.
• Double tulips, also known as beaten tulips, have many more petals than single ones. The petals and the type of inflorescence vaguely resemble peonies, this plant having a spherical shape. There are double tulips that bloom early, but also some that bloom later.
• As the name suggests, fringed tulips already indicate the way they look, the petals being fringed. The tips of the large petals give this tulip a robust look.
• Lily flowered tulips (with lily-shaped cups) are distinguished by the special shape of the flower that resembles a lily flower, and sometimes an urn.
• Viridiflora tulips – the name of the group comes from the Latin “viridis” which means green and “flora” which means flower. In other words, tulips from the viridiflora group have green flowers, more precisely only green stripes.
• Parrot tulips have twisted, curly, and fringed petals. The flowers are also very large and brightly colored.
• Wild tulips are found in southern Europe, northern Africa, and parts of China. Botanical tulips are generally smaller than other species. There are many varieties, each with its own shape of the petals and its own color.

Important things to consider

When it comes to tulips, it is essential to properly care for and store the bulbs before planting. If you have enough space, you can store tulip bulbs in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator. However, be careful not to put apples or other fruit in the refrigerator. Apples and bananas release ethylene gas, which helps the fruit ripen, but kills the flower bud inside any bulb. If you do not have room in the refrigerator, do not put tulip bulbs in the freezer, as you will destroy them. Instead, you can store tulip bulbs in a cool, well-ventilated area, such as a pantry, unheated garage, or storage room.

Tulip bulbs are best planted in the fall, before the soil freezes. By planting tulip varieties with different flowering periods, you can have the tulips blooming from the beginning to the end of spring.

It is very easy to plant tulips in the garden. Choose a sunny place with good drainage. Tulips will not grow well in the shade and will rot in moist soil.

The pH level should be 6.5-7, or even 7.5. An acidic soil (5.0-5.5) will need to be improved with bone meal, dolomite, lime, or ash. In acidic soil, tulips grow very poorly, get sick and, over time, disappear.

During the flowering period, the tulip is watered about once a week. After the flowering period, they do not need to be watered anymore.

It is advisable to harvest tulips early in the morning or in the evening. It is harvested in the budding phase that has been colored. The harvested flowers are kept in dark places, with a temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Before putting the tulips in the water, cut 0.40 inches from the stalks under running water. The cut must be oblique to create as much water absorption surface as possible. Because the acidity of lemon juice will prevent the growth of bacteria that lead to stem rot, it is recommended to put a few drops in the water in the vase.

The “black tulip” is actually red. Dark red to be exact and the name by which it is known is “queen of the night”.

Tulips are edible: depending on the variety, the taste of the petals varies from a taste similar to beans to the taste of salad. This is why, during the food crisis of World War II, tulips were a source of food for many Dutch people. Today, tulips are used in appetizers and in some salads. And, for those interested: there is even a tulip wine.

How can I save money?

Florists and wholesalers often have lower prices than online stores. However, you should always look for coupon codes before making your purchase because they offer the best deals.

The best way to get the most out of your floral purchase is by checking with local florists. Many will offer discounts and specials when flowers are in season, so it’s worth looking for promotions.