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Winter Bulbs for South Africa
Add colour, fragrance and structure to the coolest months with premium winter bulbs selected for South African gardens. Planted in autumn and early winter, these classics flower from late winter into spring for pots, borders and cutting.
Shop this topic:
All Winter Bulbs •
Tulip Bulbs •
Hyacinths
What counts as a “winter bulb”?
Gardeners use the term broadly for bulbs, corms and tubers planted during the cool season for late-winter to spring bloom. Favourites include Tulipa (tulips), Hyacinthus (hyacinths), Narcissus (daffodils & paperwhites), Freesia, Ranunculus and Anemone.
When to plant (SA timing)
Western Cape (winter-rainfall): March–May (into early June for late displays).
Highveld & inland (frost): April–June, avoiding hard frosts on soft new shoots.
Warm coastal zones: April–May; use morning sun and excellent drainage.
Chilling: who needs it?
Tulips & Hyacinths: Pre-chill bulbs 6–8 weeks at ±4–9 °C (paper bag in fridge, away from fruit). Many suppliers deliver pre-chilled—plant promptly.
Daffodils & Paperwhites (Narcissus): Usually no chilling required (paperwhites are the easiest).
Freesia / Ranunculus / Anemone: Prefer cool soils; soak ranunculus/anemone claws for 2–3 hours before planting.
Planting basics
Site & sun: 5–6+ hours of sun; protect from harsh afternoon heat in warm zones.
Soil: Free-draining, enriched with compost. Raised beds or large pots for heavy soils.
Depth rule: Plant at roughly 2–3× bulb height (tulips 10–15 cm; hyacinths 8–10 cm). Paperwhites & daffodils sit a little shallower in warm areas.
Water: Water in thoroughly once; keep evenly moist (never waterlogged).
Containers: Use deep pots (25–30 cm) with free-draining mix; group bulbs closely for a fuller show.
Top winter bulbs to try
Tulips — iconic colour; must be pre-chilled in most SA regions.
Hyacinths — rich fragrance; great in pots near entrances.
Daffodils — reliable and naturalising; many types for beds and lawns.
Paperwhites — the easiest indoor/outdoor winter bloom; no chilling; fast to flower.
Freesias — scented sprays for cutting; thrive in the Western Cape.
Ranunculus & Anemone — florist-grade cut flowers with huge colour impact.
Ready to plant?
Explore the full range and build your winter-to-spring display:
Shop Winter Bulbs →
Planning a mixed show? Pair with
Tulips
and fragrant
Hyacinths.
Quick FAQs
How deep do I plant? About 2–3× the bulb’s height (tulips 10–15 cm; hyacinths 8–10 cm). Paperwhites and daffodils can be a touch shallower in warm gardens.
Do I need to chill everything? No. Focus on tulips and hyacinths. Paperwhites generally don’t need chilling; daffodils only sometimes in the warmest zones.
Will they flower the first season? Yes—if chilled where required, planted at the right depth, and kept evenly moist.