Water-lily tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana): colours, meaning, where it grows and when it blooms

The water-lily tulip is a small tulip species from Central Asia, known for its wide-opening, star-like blooms that resemble water lilies. It grows on rocky slopes and steppes, and its flowers come in various shades with striking petal patterns, making it a favourite for early spring gardens.

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Native to the mountains and steppes of Central Asia
Flowers open wide in sunlight, resembling water lilies
Blooms from February to April, earlier than many tulips
Leaves may have purple streaks or dashes
Featured on stamps in Russia and Uzbekistan

What does Water-lily tulip look like?

This tulip stays low to the ground, reaching about 20 to 25 cm tall. Its leaves are slim and pointed, sometimes plain green or blue-green, and often show purple streaks. The flowers have six pointed petals that spread wide in sunlight, forming a star or water-lily shape. Colours vary, with combinations of red, orange, pink, yellow, white, and purple, sometimes with contrasting marks or blotches inside and out.

Where does Water-lily tulip come from?

Tulipa kaufmanniana grows wild in Central Asia, especially in the mountains and steppes of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, including the Tien-Shan, Pamir, and Hindu Kush ranges. It was first collected in Turkestan and described in the late 1800s. The species name honours Konstantin von Kaufman, a Russian governor in the region where the plant was discovered. Over time, it has spread and naturalised in parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

When and how Water-lily tulip blooms

This tulip blooms early in the year, from late winter to early spring. It prefers sunny spots with well-drained or moderately moist soil. In gardens, it is often grown from bulbs, and can be used in rock gardens, borders, or beds. Seeds need a period of cold before they will sprout, with longer cold treatments helping more seeds to grow.

How Water-lily tulip is used

Gardeners value the water-lily tulip for its early flowers and compact size, making it suitable for small spaces and rockeries. Several cultivated varieties are grown for their unique colours and patterns. The flower has also appeared on postage stamps in Russia and Uzbekistan, reflecting its cultural presence.

Kinds of Water-lily tulip

Many hybrids and cultivars belong to the Kaufmanniana Group, some showing purple streaks on their leaves from breeding with other tulip species. Popular garden forms include 'Ancilla', 'Early Harvest', 'Showwinner', 'Stresa', 'Alfred Cortot', and 'Glück', each with distinct flower colours. In the US, 'Johann Strauss' and 'Chopin' are also grown.

What Water-lily tulip means

The water-lily tulip has been featured on stamps in Russia and Uzbekistan, showing its recognition beyond gardens. Its early bloom and striking form have made it a favourite among tulip enthusiasts. The species is named after a Russian official, linking it to the history of Central Asia.

Where to see Water-lily tulip

🇰🇿 Shymkent · Apr to MayWild tulips of Aksu-ZhabaglyMountain steppe in southern Kazakhstan where the wild ancestors of garden tulips still flower.

Questions people ask about Water-lily tulip

Where does the water-lily tulip come from?

It is native to Central Asia, especially the mountains and steppes of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, and has also spread to other regions.

What does the water-lily tulip look like?

It is a small tulip with pointed petals that open wide to form a star shape. The flowers can be red, orange, pink, yellow, white, or purple, often with contrasting markings.

When does this tulip flower?

It blooms early in the year, usually from February to April, making it one of the first tulips to flower in spring.

Are there different varieties of this tulip?

Yes, there are many cultivated forms, including 'Ancilla', 'Showwinner', 'Stresa', and others, each with unique colours and patterns.

Has the water-lily tulip been used as a symbol?

It has appeared on postage stamps in Russia and Uzbekistan, showing its cultural significance in those countries.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tulipa kaufmanniana", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Lilium davidii: Darm Crook, Public domain, source

Chinese Lily: John Lykkegaard, CC BY-SA 2.5, source

Crocus alatavicus: C T Johansson, CC BY 3.0, source

Tulip: John O'Neill, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Apricot: Fir0002, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Lily: Denis Barthel, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Albert's tulip: Eduard August von Regel (1815–1892), German botanist., Public domain, source

Tulipa fosteriana: I would appreciate being notified if you use my work outside Wikimedia, CC BY 3.0, source

Aksu Zhabagly Wild Tulips: Tomiris, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Water-lily tulip