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How to Transplant Flower Bulbs

Published on March 21, 2016Last updated November 18, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

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If you need to transplant bulbs, use these tips to safely dig up flower bulbs and replant them in another location—outdoors or indoors if conditions are right. This works for all bulbs including tulips, daffodil, hyacinth, and more.

How to plant bulbs has additional tips for successful flower bulb growing.

Flowering bulbs

Transplanting Bulbs

Grape hyacinth bulbs planted in an old lunch box with a watering can.

One of the best kept secrets about flowering bulbs is they can be very forgiving after transplanting.

I’ve moved flowering bulbs within the garden going from one garden bed to another, outdoors from one pot to another, and from outdoors to indoors, and indoors to outdoors, all without any problems.

While there is always some risk to disturbing a happy plant, with the right care, you can move bulbs like tulips, snowdrops, crocus, iris, and lily at any growth stage if the roots are not disturbed.

It’s easier when the plant is not blooming, but, as the old saying goes, the best time to get something done in the garden is when you have the time.

Flowering bulbs in pink pots in front of a window.

The important thing is to ensure the new location has optimal conditions for whatever type of bulb it is including the right temperatures, soil, sun, water, and drainage.

Any bulbs that need a winter chill to trigger blooming, will, as you can guess, still need that chill if it hasn’t happened already.

While these tips are written for bulbs, it’s the same process for the broader group of plants that grow from rhizomes, corms, tubers, and tuberous roots.  

When to Transplant Bulbs

Best Time to Transplant: When the plant is dormant, long before or after flowering. The second best time—and most likely time—is when you have time.

The best time to move bulbs is while they are dormant, long before or after flowering. The reason for this timing is simple: you can’t disrupt blooming if the plant is not in bloom.

That said, you can move them while leafing, budding, or blooming too. The key is to disturb the roots as little possible and be sure to replant the bulb at the correct depth. The recommended depth varies with each species. If it’s a new bulb, check the advice on the tag. If it’s a transplant from the garden, replant it at the same depth it was growing.

The one time to avoid moving bulbs is right after flowering. This is when the flowers die off and the leaves are gathering energy to store in the bulb for the next flowering season. Some flowering bulbs take many weeks for this process. You know it’s done when the leaves brown, dry, wither, and die off.

How to Transplant Bulbs

Moving Bulbs

  • Prepare the new location first ensuring it provides growing conditions the bulbs need.
  • Carefully dig up bulbs, bringing soil with them to avoid disturbing roots.
  • Separate any bulbs that need dividing before replanting.
  • Plant at depth recommended for that specific bulb type.

I’ve listed step-by-step instructions below.

As you’ve gathered, it’s all about being careful. Careful not to damage the bulbs, careful not to disturb the roots, and careful to plant in the new location at the best depth and recommended spacing for that bulb type.

This is a favorite way to bring some colorful flowers indoors during late spring—simply by digging up a few extras from the garden.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Pink tulip flowers.
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5 from 2 votes

How to Transplant Bulbs

Step-by-step instructions to successfully transplant bulbs from the ground or pots to a new growing location.
Total Time30 mins
Makes: 1 flowering bulb
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Spading fork

Supplies & Materials

  • 1 Flowering Bulbs

Instructions

  • Prepare new planting location first ensuring conditions are optimal for the type of bulb.
  • To transplant in-ground bulbs, dig several inches around bulb area and carefully remove from soil and plants, much like harvesting potatoes.
    For potted bulbs, instead of digging, carefully tip everything out, mindful to leave the bulbs and roots as undisturbed as possible.
    For indoor growing, use fresh potting mix.
  • If the bulbs are clumped together, which can mean they are reproducing to create more bulbs, you can either divide them or keep them as they are.
  • Plant bulbs in new location at recommended depth for that bulb type.
  • Water immediately.
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Comments

  1. Fletcher says

    April 4, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Thank you so much for this. I’m not sure why I cannot get my Agapanthus to bloom again, as it has been 4 years now, but at least I’m pretty sure now that I transplanted correctly. They went from my neighbors front bed where they bloomed every year, to my front bed where I had to move to containers as my beds were flooded. Ever since they look pretty and green, but no flowers. I’ll keep my fingers crossed and keep tending to them. Thanks.

    Reply
  2. Linda Duncan says

    April 3, 2022 at 8:56 pm

    I’m wanting to move my tulips but I wasn’t sure if they were going to be ok. Now, nothing ventured nothing gained. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Larissa Reutgen says

    April 2, 2022 at 11:13 pm

    I did not know one could transplant bulbs like this from outside to a pot inside.

    Reply

Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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