9 Reasons Why Tulip Leaves May Turn Yellow Prematurely

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2. Dehydration

Without an inch of moisture per week from a combination of rainfall and supplemental watering, bulbs may begin to dry out beneath the soil. You may not have a clue – until the leaves start to turn yellow.

A close up of a small pink tulip flower just starting to open up in the springtime with foliage that is turning slightly yellow, pictured in the bright sunshine, with soil in the background in soft focus.

If you dig down next to a bulb and find the soil dusty, water immediately. Brittle roots and shrunken bulbs may be too far gone to revive, but it’s worth a try.

In cooler regions, this is unlikely to happen, unless there’s a rare and prolonged heatwave and dry spell with no supplemental watering.

For those growing in warmer regions, this is a little more likely in the springtime, especially if the bulbs are planted too shallowly, another possible cause we will discuss shortly.

Learn more about watering tulip bulbs here.

3. Disease

Moisture and heat stress may leave bulbs vulnerable to disease. It may be bacterial, fungal, or viral, and may spread more quickly if bulbs are spaced too closely.