History of the Tulip
The story of tulips is one of beauty, fascination, and global connection. Originally wildflowers from Central Asia, tulips were cultivated in the Ottoman Empire before captivating Europe in the 16th century. When tulips arrived in the Netherlands, they sparked a true craze — famously known as Tulip Mania — becoming a symbol of luxury, status, and springtime renewal.
Over the centuries, the tulip has evolved from exotic rarity to beloved flower, with the Netherlands emerging as the global center of tulip cultivation and export. Today, tulips are not only admired for their vibrant colors and elegant forms, but also celebrated for what they represent: love, hope, friendship, and new beginnings.
At TulipDay, we embrace this rich history while bringing it into the present. Every TulipDay is a tribute to this remarkable flower’s journey — from the mountains of Asia to the hands and hearts of people around the world.
Origin an native region
The tulip is one of the world’s most iconic flowers, celebrated for its vibrant colors and elegant form. Its history traces back to Central Asia, where wild tulips grew in the mountainous regions. By the 10th century, tulips were cultivated in Persia and featured prominently in poetry and art. The flower later found its way to the Ottoman Empire, becoming a symbol of abundance and power during the 16th-century "Tulip Era."
The word “tulip” comes from the Persian word for “turban,” due to the flower’s shape.
Introduction to Europe and the Netherlands
Tulips were introduced to Western Europe in the 16th century and quickly gained popularity in the Netherlands. The Dutch became passionate growers and collectors, leading to the famous "Tulip Mania" in the 1630s—a period of intense speculation when a single tulip bulb could be worth more than a house. Although the bubble burst, the tulip remained deeply rooted in Dutch horticulture and identity.
In 1593, the famous botanist Carolus Clusius introduced the tulip to the Netherlands while working at the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden.
He planted tulips in the university’s botanical garden.
The first official Dutch tulip collection.
Tulip Mania / ca. 1634–1637
The tulip became a status symbol among the wealthy bourgeoisie. Tulip bulbs became speculative trading objects.
Some rare varieties, like ‘Semper Augustus' sold for extremely high prices. Sometimes equivalent to a canal house in Amsterdam.
In 1637, the market collapsed. One of the first recorded economic bubbles in history.
Professional Bulb Cultivation / 17th to 19th Century
After the crash, the tulip trade grew more slowly but steadily.
Bulbs were cultivated in what is now the Bollenstreek.
Region Lisse, Hillegom and Noordwijk.
In the 19th century, the Netherlands began exporting tulips on a larger scale.
Tulip as a National Symbol / 20th Century
In the 20th century, the tulip became an icon of the Netherlands, thanks to tourism, vast tulip fields, and attractions like the Keukenhof.
The Netherlands became the largest global exporter of tulips and flower bulbs.
Hundreds of millions of tulips are sold every year. Mostly abroad.
Today
Today, tulips are cultivated both for the global cut flower industry and for ornamental use in private and public gardens. Tulip bulbs for flower production are typically planted in greenhouses or open fields, where they are carefully timed to bloom in early spring. These tulips are harvested before fully opening, ensuring long vase life and optimal quality for florists and consumers.
The Keukenhof attracts millions of visitors annually.
The tulip is inseparably linked to Dutch identity, even though it is not a native Dutch flower.
Tulipday is a product of the Tulipday Foundation from the Netherlands, created to promote the tulip internationally.