Potted flower bulbs

Do you have a balcony, terrace or rooftop terrace? Consider planting flower bulbs in pots! Potted flower bulbs are very easy and fun. Create your mini-garden on your balcony or terrace. We'll help you out.

Plant flower bulbs in a pot

The best is to plant spring-flowering flower bulbs in the period from September to December. But don't wait too long, flower bulbs can no longer be planted once it freezes. A beautiful, late summer day is perfect for planting flower bulbs. Planting starts with the flower pot. The rule of thumb is as follows: the pot you are to plant bulbs in must be at least three times as high as the largest bulb. Otherwise, there is too little room for the bulbs to bloom. Choose a flower pot to suit your style and get started!

Put pot shards, gravel or hydrograins in the bottom of the pot. This ensures good drainage. That way the bulbs don't get wet roots. If the pot is outdoors, make sure there are some holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill the pot up with fresh potting soil. Use potting soil specially for flower bulbs. It contains the right texture and nutrients for bulbs to develop perfectly. Dig a hole twice the height and width of each bulb. It's fine to place pots and containers of bulbs close together, and the effect is lovely. Make sure that the bulbs are planted with their pointy 'noses' facing up. Take a close look to see if you can already see a stem or top. Add a layer of potting soil over the flower bulbs and press it down firmly. Give enough water to encourage the bulb to start rooting. Potted flower bulbs dry out a bit faster than they do in open ground, especially during warm periods, so don't forget to water regularly.

Care of potted flower bulbs

Potted flower bulbs can be kept outside during the winter. In fact, they need this hibernation to be able to awaken in spring. If there is a hard frost, you can protect the flower bulbs by enclosing the in with a protective cover or bubble wrap. On the other hand, snow is not a problem because snow insulates against frost, protecting flower bulbs from the cold. In spring, put flower pots in a sunny spot and water often. The nice thing about potted flower bulbs is that they flower earlier than summer flowers.

Which bulbs are suitable for potting?

All sorts of flower bulbs can be planted in pots. It is possible to plant a mix of flower bulbs, or to plant multiple flower bulbs of one kind. Low-growing flower bulbs are ideal for pots and flower boxes, as they are not so sensitive to wind.
Bakker.com has a number of suitable low-flowering bulbs to choose from:
Galanthus (snowdrop), Anemone, Crocus, Iris Reticulata, Muscari (blue grape hyacinths) Hyacinth, Narcissus and Tulip.

Flower pots suitable for potted flower bulbs

In reality, all flower pots are suitable for planting bulbs, as long as they are sufficiently deep and there are holes in the bottom so that the water can drain out. Popular pots for flower bulbs are terracotta pots, zinc buckets and wicker baskets. Even for those whose style is more modern will find that potted flower bulbs can provide a beautiful accent. Be inspired by our entire collection of outdoor pots.

Lasagne planting in pots

Lasagne planting, also known as layered planting, is an option for pots as well as open ground. This technique means that you plant several layers of flower bulbs under each other, with the flower bulbs that bloom last at the bottom and the flower bulbs that bloom first at the top. This could be three or four layers, just like Italian lasagne. Deep pots are excellent for lasagne planting. The advantage of this technique is that it extends your enjoyment for a long time, because the flower bulbs take turns blooming. When planting, follow the same steps as explained above, but use more layers. Here is how lasagne planting in a pot work, step-by-step.