Which of these countries was the first to cultivate tulips?

Nowadays the Netherlands are the number 1 exporter of tulips on the planet. No wonder, that quite a few people are pretty sure that the Dutch were the first to cultivate this beautiful flower.

In fact, the marvelous flower came to Holland and Europe from Turkey. The tulip's bulbs first appeared at the markets (bazars) of Constantinople in the 16^th century. People called the flower 'tülbend', which means 'turban'. Later the word came to the English language as 'tulipa'/'tulipant' and then it eventually transformed into 'tulip'.

Still scientists believe that the first cultivars appeared in Persia as far back as the 10^th century.

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

39 Comments

isabella bashir

It's the national flower of Turkey. It's a very popular motif in their artwork.

Daryle Rico

Well, you learn something every day.

Raymond Cardona

I read that tulips were first cultivated in Iran in the 10th century then moved on to Turkey then the Netherlands where most of the bulbs come from nowadays Bonnie

Janette Will

Said Netherlands but was wrong. Learn something new everyday.

Bob Bracegirdle

There have been numerous programmes on the radio about tulips from Turkey and the enormous amounts of money made.

Maho girl

I think maybe this was a review question that's the only reason I can imagine I got it right ;-)

Cari G.

Good q & a

Philip Yambao

Got it correctly but its just a guess.

Douglas Oaten

I saw them in Turkey and I was told that they had originated there

Helen Keen

The city of Nevşehir is most famous for their cultivation.

Helen Keen

The Turkish word for tulip is lale, pronounced lah-lay

Julie Allen

Indigenous to Iran & Afghanistan apparently and were taken to Europe by the Turks.

Rob Farr

Yes, it’s probably true that the Persians were the first and they found their way to Turkey and then to the Netherlands ... a great question .... thanks.