Facts about Tulips

1. 06

   Tulip petals contain pigments called anthocyanins and carotenoids that create colors ranging from deep purple to bright yellow, with no true blue tulips existing in nature despite centuries of breeding efforts.

   TulipsMay 14sharebiologycolorhorticulture
2. 05

   A single tulip stem can grow up to 28 inches tall, making them one of the few cut flowers that continue elongating in the vase for several days after being cut.

   TulipsMay 14sharebiologymeasurementhorticulture
3. 04

   Tulips require a cold period of 12 to 16 weeks below 55 degrees Fahrenheit to bloom properly, which is why they thrive in temperate climates and must be artificially chilled in warmer regions.

   TulipsMay 14sharebotanycultivationclimate
4. 03

   Over 3 billion tulip bulbs are cultivated annually worldwide, with the Netherlands producing approximately 2 billion of them despite occupying only 27,000 acres of land.

   TulipsMay 14shareagriculturemeasurementgeography
5. 02

   The streaked petals characteristic of broken tulips result from a virus that reduces bulb production by 50 percent, making infected plants less commercially viable despite their aesthetic appeal.

   TulipsMay 14sharebiologyvirushorticulture
6. 01

   During the 1630s Dutch tulip mania, a single bulb of the Semper Augustus variety sold for 6,000 guilders, equivalent to a luxurious Amsterdam house.

   TulipsMay 14sharehistoryeconomicsmeasurement