What's the Difference Between
Bulbs and Rhizomes?

Are gardening bulbs all the same? Is there a difference between bulbs and rhizomes? If so, what is that difference? Here you'll find the answer ...

Tulips and lilies come from bulbs. Iris come from rhizomes. Both are bulbous types of underground storage organs that can practically clone themselves.

True bulbs, from which tulips and lilies come, are typically pear-shaped or oval. They are a complete plant in miniature. In the middle of the bulb is the start of the flower itself. Working out from the middle, the scales of the bulb contain the nutrients which sustain the plant while dormant or at rest and also during the first stages of growth. Finally on the outside is a thin papery skin that serves to help protect the scales. Lilies are lacking this thin layer of protection so be careful and gently handle your lily bulbs.

Although sometimes referred to as bulbs, rhizomes from which iris come, are a bit different than true bulbs. They are still a bulbous type of underground storage organ, yet the rhizome is actually a thickened stem filled with nutrients that support the growth of the plant. Rhizomes grow horizontally and spread outwards usually just below the surface of the soil. At the tip of the rhizome is the main growing point. Other buds form along the top and sides of the stem portion and roots develop from buds on the underside of the rhizome.

And there you have it ... when discussing gardening bulbs, you now know that lily or tulip bulbs are true bulbs and that iris rhizomes are similar and yet a bit different.

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