The queen of night tulip (which is a less popular tulip variety), is a rare exotic plant that produces blossoms so dark, that they can be mistaken for black. This is why the houseplant is referred to as a black plant.
It features dark purple blooms which are surrounded by thick dark green leaves at the plant’s base. They are a rare bulbous, perennial plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family and has its roots traced down to Kazakhstan, but they can be grown in any region that has a warm climate.
When paired with other beautiful colored plants in a flowerbed or garden, queen of the night tulips provide a desirable, unique, and mysterious feel.
| Botanical Name | Tulipa Queen of the Night |
| Common Names | Queen of the Night Tulip, Black Queen Tulip |
| Origin | Kazakhstan |
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial Bulbous plant |
| Full Size | Ranges from 22 inches to 24 inches |
| Sun Exposure | Full, direct sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-drained, light, sandy soil |
| Toxicity | Can be toxic to children and pets |
Caring for the Queen of the Night Tulip
The Tulip Queen of the Night Perennial is an easy plant to grow and care for. To guarantee a flourishing growth, you have to meet its basic Light, water, soil, pruning, and temperature requirements.
Light Requirement for the Queen of the Night Tulip
Members of the tulip species require a lot of sunlight in a day to grow in a healthy manner, and the Queen of the Night Tulip is no exception.
Your target for the queen plant with regards to sunlight should be a minimum of 6 to 7 hours of direct exposure to sunlight every day.
When planting indoors, it is recommended that you keep the potted tulip variety in a spot located next to a window that faces the east so as to expose the plant to the rising sun’s rays.
A Queen of the Night Tulip that doesn’t receive adequate direct sunlight would have a hard time producing flowers. It would look lean and sick.
If the potted plant is getting adequate sunlight, it tends to lean towards the light source, so it can be used as a way to monitor the plant’s slight intake.
Water Requirement for the Queen of the Night Tulip
Water your tulips often to get the best from them. Just be careful when watering to avoid having soggy soil.
Soggy soil could be harmful to the exquisite plant, as it leaves the plant susceptible to fungal attacks like rots.
The ideal watering condition is moist soil. This can be achieved with the right soil type and the right watering practice.
Two to three times a week of watering is perfect for the Queen of the Night Tulip. This should be done in hot climates the most.
During the winter season, it is advised that you reduce the frequency at which you water the plant to about once a week or in two weeks.
A great way to avoid soggy soil is by feeling the soil’s texture with your finger. Ensure it does not have excess water. If it does, you should wait till the texture is a little bit dryer before you proceed to water.
When you water, ensure it is directed towards the soil and not the plant’s foliage as wet foliage could breed bacteria and fungi that could cause harm to the plant.
Soil Requirement for the Queen of the Night Tulip
The best soil type for the Tulip Queen of the Night plant would be sandy soil. This is because it is light and provides enough air for the plant roots to breathe.
The sandy soil type used must be well-draining to ensure that no mud puddles are formed when watering. Adding compost to the sandy soil would also be useful in providing the plant with the much-needed nutrients to start a proper, flourishing growth.
The soil type used should also possess a slight moisture-retaining ability, which should help keep the plant’s roots moist and strong.
Keep the soil pH level within the range of neutral to a little acidic. A level of 6.0 to 7.0 should be ideal.
Humidity and Temperature Requirement for the Queen of the Night Tulip
Tulips in general, prefer a dry weather condition to a humid one, and this is true for the Queen of the Night Tulip.
It can grow in regions with USDA zones that range from 3 to 8. So you would want to mimic these conditions for your potted plant grown indoors.
A temperature level below 53 degrees Fahrenheit should be fine for your plant. High humidity can lead to a build-up of excess moisture on the plant’s leaves which could lead to fungi or bacteria attacks
Queen of the Night Tulip Fertilizer Requirements
If organic compost was used in the soil mixture, the Queen of the Night Tulip would require less fertilizer as it grows.
Fertilizing should be done once a month, and the fertilizer type used should contain low nitrogen.
It should be done during the Queen of The Night plant’s growing season. However, do ensure you deep-water the plant’s soil often to get rid of the excess residual fertilizer that might build up from fertilizing.
After deep-watering the soil, be sure to watch the excess water leave the plant pot through the drainage holes located at the base.
Propagating the Tulipa Queen of the Night
The Queen of the Night Tulip can be propagated through bulb offset division. However, it is recommended that you wear a protective glove as the sap from the stem can cause skin irritation.
Pruning Requirement for the Queen of the Night Tulip
Pruning should be done often to remove dead flowers and leaves hence providing the plant with a rich look. However, do ensure you sterilize all sharp tools to be used before pruning.
While pruning, cut off the green stalks that follow the flower so as to prevent new seed pods that could drain the plant’s energy from forming.
Toxicity
The Queen of the Night plant is toxic as it can lead to skin irritation when eaten by children and pets. It is advised that you keep them away from their reach as much as possible.
If you do notice a child or pet has eaten the Tulip Queen of the Night plant, then be quick to call a doctor, and monitor them for signs or symptoms that might develop later
Common Health Problems for the Queen of the Night Tulip
Problems faced by the rare tulip variety can be caused by excessive watering or pests. Some of these pests and diseases include;
- Aphids
- Root Rot
- Thrips
- Bulb Mites
Frequently Asked Questions
In flower beds and gardens you would want to mix the Queen of the Night Tulip with Tulips of various colors.
No, tulips require full direct sunlight to bloom
As perennials, expect that the tulip plant produces beautiful flowers every year.
Yes, deadheading your tulips would be beneficial in promoting quality development and growth.
Expect your Queen of the Night tulip to live from 1 year to 10 years.
