No. 0001 · Generation I · Seed Pokémon
フシギダネFushigidane · From fushigi (strange, mysterious) and tane (seed); also a pun on 'Fushigi da ne?' – 'Isn't it strange?'
The Seed Pokémon · Grass/Poison type · first seen in Pokémon Red & Green (1996)
01Overview
Meet Bulbasaur
Everything you need to know about the Seed Pokémon — the creature behind the number.
Meet Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon: a squat, blue-green, four-legged creature with red eyes, a wide grin and a plump green bulb riding on its back. It is part Grass, part Poison, and as the holder of National Pokédex #0001 it is, quite literally, where every Pokémon story starts.
That bulb is the star of the show. A seed is planted on Bulbasaur's back at birth and grows right along with it, packed with nutrients that feed the youngster until it can fend for itself. The bulb also photosynthesises, so Bulbasaur's idea of a perfect afternoon is a snooze in a patch of bright sunshine – and it can go for days without eating a single morsel. Coiled inside are two slender vines, strong enough to haul it up a tree to pluck Berries from the branches.
“There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this Pokémon is born. The seed slowly grows larger.”
Pokédex · Pokémon Red (Japan), Green (Japan), FireRed & Sword · 1996
Wild Bulbasaur roam the grasslands and forests of Kanto, but you will rarely bump into one, because most are raised by Breeders to be handed to new Trainers. Growing up around people makes them famously well-mannered and loyal; even one left alone for a long time will keep faith with its Trainer. There is a tender side, too: Bulbasaur look out for smaller Pokémon and have been seen rocking a crying little one in their vines while singing it a lullaby. When evolution beckons, the bulb flashes blue – and a Bulbasaur that is not ready can stubbornly fight the change.
Bulbasaur was one of the three first partners Professor Oak offered in Pokémon Red and Green in 1996, alongside Charmander and Squirtle. It is still the only Poison-type starter line, and one of just two first partners (Rowlet is the other) with two types from the very beginning. It has kept coming back as a welcome gift, from a kindly girl in Yellow's Cerulean City to Professor Sycamore's lab in X and Y and Mable's lab in Legends: Z-A.
Fans have always known Bulbasaur as the dependable pick. In Red and Blue it had the edge over both Brock's Rock types and Misty's Water types, which earned it a reputation as the friendly choice for first-time players. Add Ash's stubborn, big-hearted Bulbasaur, which famously refused to evolve, and it is easy to see why this little dinosaur-frog has stayed a favourite for three decades – bulb to the sun, getting on with things.
How big is Bulbasaur?
At 0.7 m (2′04″) Bulbasaur stands just under dining-table height, and at 6.9 kg (15.2 lb) it weighs about as much as a big watermelon – bulb included.
Evolution
02In the Pokédex's words
Bulbasaur's Pokédex entries
16 different entries across 43 games, from 1996 to 2023. Here is how the Pokédex has described Bulbasaur over the years, in the order the games came out.
Generation I
There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this Pokémon is born. The seed slowly grows larger.
Kanto Pokédex
A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
Kanto Pokédex
It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy.
Kanto Pokédex
The bulb-like pouch on its back grows larger as it ages. The pouch is filled with numerous seeds.
Kanto Pokédex
Generation II
The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
Johto Pokédex
It carries a seed on its back right from birth. As it grows older, the seed also grows larger.
Johto Pokédex
While it is young, it uses the nutrients that are stored in the seeds on its back in order to grow.
Johto Pokédex
Generation III
Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.
Hoenn Pokédex
Bulbasaur extends its vines to attack and prevent capture.
Capture Styler (Pokémon Ranger series)
Generation IV
For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
Sinnoh Pokédex
It attacks by shooting seeds.
Capture Styler (Pokémon Ranger series)
Generation VIII
While it is young, it uses the nutrients that are stored in the seed on its back in order to grow.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
When Bulbasaur is born, it lives for a while via photosynthesis and the nutrients in the seed on its back. Until it grows bigger, it depends on other Pokémon to survive.
Photodex (New Pokémon Snap)
For some time after its birth, it grows by taking nourishment from the seed on its back.
Sinnoh Pokédex
Generation IX
For some time after its birth, it uses the nutrients that are packed into the seed on its back in order to grow.
Rotom Phone (Scarlet & Violet)
It carries a seed on its back right from birth. As its body grows larger, the seed does too.
Rotom Phone (Scarlet & Violet)
03Stats, moves & where to find it
Bulbasaur in the video games
Base stat total 318 · 24 core-series games · 35 spin-offs · every move it learns, generation by generation.
Base stats
Base stats have never changed: 45/49/49/65/65/45, a total of 318. In Generation I Bulbasaur had a single Special stat of 65; when Gold and Silver split Special into Sp. Atk and Sp. Def, both were set to 65, so nothing was lost. Base friendship was 70 in Generations II–VII and has been 50 since Generation VIII. Base experience yield is 64; it reaches level 100 at 1,059,860 Exp. (Medium Slow).
Abilities
- Overgrowsince Gen III
Powers up Bulbasaur's Grass-type moves when its HP is low (a third or less). - ChlorophyllHidden abilitysince Gen V
Doubles Bulbasaur's Speed while the sunlight is harsh.
Type matchups
How hard each attacking type hits a Grass/Poison Pokémon.
Generation I: Bug-type moves were 4× effective, because Bug was then super effective against Poison; from Generation II onwards Bug is neutral (2× against Grass, ½× against Poison). The Fairy resistance applies from Generation VI, when the Fairy type was introduced.
Training & breeding
- Catch rate
- 45
- Base friendship
- 50
- Base experience
- 64
- Growth rate
- Medium Slow
- EV yield
- 1 Sp. Atk
- Egg groups
- Monster, Grass
- Egg cycles
- 20
- Colour
- Green
- Gender ratio
- 87.5% male
- Body shape
- quadruped
Where to find Bulbasaur
| Game | Year | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Red & Green | 1996 | First partner from Professor Oak in Pallet Town |
| Blue (Japan) | 1996 | First partner from Professor Oak in Pallet Town |
| Red & Blue | 1998 | First partner from Professor Oak in Pallet TownPick Squirtle and your rival Blue takes Bulbasaur, which becomes Ivysaur later in the game. |
| Yellow | 1998 | Gift (Lv. 10) from a girl in the house west of Cerulean City's Pokémon CenterShe only hands it over if your partner Pikachu's friendship is 147 or higher. |
| Gold & Silver | 1999 | Not in the wild – trade from Red, Blue or Yellow via the Time Capsule, or eventEvents included Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! AncientPower Bulbasaur (US, 2001–2003); a Gen I Bulbasaur traded across arrives holding a Bitter Berry. |
| Crystal | 2000 | Time Capsule trade or event |
| Ruby & Sapphire | 2002 | Trade (from FireRed/LeafGreen) or event |
| FireRed & LeafGreen | 2004 | First partner from Professor Oak in Pallet Town |
| Emerald | 2004 | Trade or event |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2006 | Not obtainable in Sinnoh – migrate it from a GBA game via Pal Park (Field area) |
| Platinum | 2008 | Not obtainable in Sinnoh – Pal Park migration only |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2009 | Gift from Professor Oak in Pallet Town after defeating RedOak offers a choice of Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. |
| Black & White | 2010 | Not found in Unova – Pokémon Global Link (Dream World) promotionsJapanese and Korean Global Link promotions handed out Bulbasaur with its Hidden Ability, Chlorophyll. |
| Black 2 & White 2 | 2012 | Poké Transfer or event (Kanto first partner Egg promotions) |
| X & Y | 2013 | Gift from Professor Sycamore at the Sycamore Pokémon Lab in Lumiose CitySycamore lets you choose one of the three Kanto first partners. |
| Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire | 2014 | Trade or event |
| Sun & Moon | 2016 | Not obtainable in Alola – transfer only |
| Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon | 2017 | Island Scan on Route 2 (Melemele Island), on Fridays |
| Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! | 2018 | Wild in Viridian Forest; one-off gift (Lv. 12) from a girl in Cerulean CityThe Cerulean gift needs at least 30 Pokémon caught. |
| Sword & Shield | 2019 | The Isle of Armor (2020): one Gigantamax-capable Bulbasaur gifted at the Master DojoAlso via Wild Area News, a Pokémon HOME event and trade (Version 1.2.0+). |
| Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl | 2021 | Grand Underground hideaways (Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Swampy Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Bogsunk Cavern) after obtaining the National Pokédex |
| Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Unobtainable |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2022 | The Indigo Disk (2023): Coastal Biome and Torchlit Labyrinth in the TerariumAppears after the Terarium Club biodiversity request for the Coastal Biome; trade from Version 3.0.0. |
| Legends: Z-A | 2025 | Gift from Mable at the Pokémon Research Lab (Vert District) during Side Mission 22; wild in Wild Zone 20 (Centrico Plaza)Mega Dimension DLC: also in Hyperspace Lumiose's Grass- and Poison-type wild zones. |
Sprites through the ages
Spin-offs & cameos
Super Smash Bros.
Bulbasaur itself has only ever been a collectible in Super Smash Bros. – a trophy in Melee and again in Brawl – but the rest of its family has been busy. Venusaur first appeared on the original game's Saffron City stage, popping out of Silph Co. to fire Razor Leaf, then shook the floor with Earthquake as a Poké Ball Pokémon in Melee. Brawl made Ivysaur a fighter as one third of the Pokémon Trainer's team with Squirtle and Charizard: Bullet Seed, Razor Leaf projectiles, a Vine Whip tether to grab the ledge and a Solar Beam in the Triple Finish Final Smash. After a trophy-only spell in the 3DS and Wii U games (where Mega Venusaur also got a trophy), Ivysaur returned in Ultimate quicker in the air and with a far more reliable Vine Whip, while Venusaur became a Spirit. In Palutena's Guidance, Pit even manages to mistake Ivysaur for Bulbasaur or Venusaur. It all adds up to a record: this is the only first partner family whose every member has appeared in the series.
Pokémon GO
Bulbasaur has been in Pokémon GO since launch day in 2016, fittingly as Pokédex #001. Evolving it takes 25 Candy, and as a buddy it earns Candy every 3 km. Its big day came on 25 March 2018, when Community Day debuted Shiny Bulbasaur, Ivysaur and Venusaur, and evolving to Venusaur during the event taught it the exclusive Frenzy Plant. A Community Day Classic on 22 January 2022 brought Frenzy Plant back, with Bulbasaur photobombing Trainers' snapshots. When Mega Evolution arrived on 27 August 2020, Mega Venusaur was one of the first four Megas to star in raids, alongside Mega Charizard, Mega Blastoise and Mega Beedrill. You can also meet Bulbasaur as a Shadow Pokémon; purify it and it can learn Return.
In the 'A Pokémon Picnic' missions in Ochre Woods, you and Pikachu gather ingredients for a hungry Bulbasaur's meal, sending them over by Magnemite.
Bulbasaur poses on the River and Cave courses – though keep your lens sharp, because a Ditto turns up disguised as one.
Flip your way to Pallet Town on the Red Field or Viridian City on the Blue Field and Bulbasaur is up for grabs.
Has its own Stadium Pokédex entry, and clearing Gym Leader Castle can reward you with a Bulbasaur to send back to your Game Boy cartridge.
One of Ash's three playable Pokémon alongside Pikachu and Squirtle – Team Rocket even pinch Squirtle and Bulbasaur, forcing Ash to win them back with line clears.
A collectible trophy celebrates the cute Pokémon with a seed that grows as it does, while Venusaur stomps in as a Poké Ball Pokémon.
A common piece on the Phobos Train and in Endless mode, Trozei Battle and Mr. Who's Den.
You can become Bulbasaur through the personality quiz or pick it as your partner – and wild ones lurk in Joyous Tower.
Fiore Browser #001 roams Lyra Forest and Kisara Plain, lashing out with its vines to dodge capture.
Back as a hero or partner choice, and recruitable in Mystifying Forest and Mystery Jungle.
Bulbasaur gets another trophy, while Ivysaur steps into the ring as part of the Pokémon Trainer's team.
The expanded Explorers adventure keeps Bulbasaur as a hero or partner option, with the same dungeon haunts.
Found in Mystery Plains, Marsh or Meadow and in the final dungeons of the Blazing, Stormy and Light Adventure Squad games.
Bulbasaur runs Bulbasaur's Daring Dash in the Meadow Zone – and lets you play even though it is supposedly forbidden.
Shoots seeds at Rangers on Dolce Island, Hinder Cape and in the Forest Temple.
Appears in several stages and was one of the NFC figurines you could tap in.
Waiting in the very first stage of the Blade-and-Shield Path.
An early-stage regular with the Power of 4 skill – plus a special Winking Bulbasaur that smashes unbreakable blocks.
Found throughout the Old-Growth Woods of the Origin Hideaway.
Another hero or partner option – or chat to one in Baram Town to recruit it.
Solve Area 14, Stage 8 to catch it; its Auto Fix skill corrects wrongly filled squares.
Pokédex #001 from launch day, with its own Community Day, Shiny debut and Mega Venusaur raids.
Beat the Luxury League and Bulbasaur joins as a support Pokémon whose skill restores a League Play.
One of the cube-shaped first partners you can choose at the start of your Tumblecube Island expedition.
Shows up in the tutorial and even had its own Bulbasaur Sea.
Hatch it from an Egg to team up with your own player character, or reach Friendship Level 100 with Professor Sycamore in the Trainer Lodge to unlock the Professor Sycamore & Bulbasaur sync pair.
The Switch remake keeps Bulbasaur as a hero or partner, with wild ones back in Joyous Tower.
Recruit it with the Dugtrio Sandwich Trio recipe; it later got a Celebratory Crown outfit for Bulbasaur's Happy Pokémon Day (February 2022).
Venusaur, a ranged attacker, starts every match as Bulbasaur and evolves through Ivysaur as it levels up.
A Dozing-type ingredient specialist that gathers Honey, Snoozy Tomatoes and Soft Potatoes, with sleep styles like Sunbathing and Vines-Out.
The second Pokémon Ditto befriends, and the one that teaches it Leafage for growing patches of grass.
Moves
Back in Red and Green, Bulbasaur's toolkit was charmingly simple: nine level-up moves, starting with Tackle and Growl and building to a level-48 Solar Beam, with Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf and a pair of powders in between. Gold and Silver added Sweet Scent, Synthesis and the first egg moves, then Diamond and Pearl handed the little seed a surprisingly beefy kit with Take Down, Double-Edge, Worry Seed and Seed Bomb.
Modern games have pressed fast-forward. Since Sword and Shield, Vine Whip arrives at level 3 and Solar Beam is back as the grand finale at 36, while Scarlet and Violet swap Double-Edge for Power Whip and stretch its TM list from 15 entries in Red and Blue (Cut included) to 34. Legends: Z-A shakes things up again, with Magical Leaf, Amnesia and Sludge Wave joining the level-up list and Seed Bomb reimagined as a four-seed multistrike. Not bad for the first entry in the Pokédex.
Signature moves
The trademark lash: a level-13 reward in Red and Blue, it now turns up at level 3, so the vines come out almost straight away.
The original sneaky drain, learned at level 7 in Red and Blue. Sun and Moon left it out of the level-up list entirely (Vine Whip appears twice instead) until Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon put it back.
Spinning leaf blades with a high critical-hit ratio, and the one attack that appears in Bulbasaur's level-up list in every single game from Red and Green to Legends: Z-A.
The bedtime dusting: a level-41 move in Red and Blue, it has arrived at the same level as Poison Powder ever since Gold and Silver.
The two-turn sunshine cannon that closed Bulbasaur's level-up list in Red and Blue. After a spell as TM-only, it is back as the level-36 finale in Sword, Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and it hits for 200 power in Let's Go.
First an egg move in HeartGold and SoulSilver, it was promoted to level 33 in Scarlet and Violet, taking Double-Edge's old slot: 120 power of pure vine.
The ultimate Grass-type attack is normally Venusaur's tutor move, but a Generation V event Egg handed out in Japan and Korea hatched a Bulbasaur already knowing it.
Complete learnsets
Generation I · Red, Green, Blue & Yellow9 level-up · 15 TM/HM
Bulbasaur was a first partner in Red, Green and Blue; in Yellow, a girl in Cerulean City hands one over if your Pikachu is friendly enough. Move names keep the spellings of the time (PoisonPowder, SolarBeam), and in Generations I–III a move was physical or special according to its type.
By level-up
| RGBY | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 35 | 95 | 35 |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 13 | Vine Whip | Grass | Special | 35 | 100 | 10 |
| 20 | PoisonPowder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 27 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Special | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 34 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 41 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 48 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM03 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM08 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM09 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM10 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM20 | Rage | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| TM21 | Mega Drain | Grass | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM22 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM31 | Mimic | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM33 | Reflect | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM34 | Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM50 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM) |
| Flash | Gen II (TM) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM) |
| Light Screen | Gen II (breeding) |
| Petal Dance | Gen II (breeding) |
| Razor Wind | Gen II (breeding) |
| Skull Bash | Gen II (breeding) |
Generation II · Gold, Silver & Crystal11 level-up · 23 TM/HM · 6 egg · 1 event
Bulbasaur can't be caught in Gold, Silver or Crystal – it arrives by Time Capsule trade or at events. Charm is a Crystal-only Egg Move that no Pokémon in those games can actually pass down, and AncientPower came from event Eggs.
By level-up
| GSC | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 35 | 95 | 35 |
| 4 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 10 | Vine Whip | Grass | Special | 35 | 100 | 10 |
| 15 | PoisonPowder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 15 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 20 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Special | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 25 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 32 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 39 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 46 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM02 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM03 | Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM12 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM19 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| TM20 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM22 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM31 | Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM35 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM40 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM05 | Flash | Normal | Status | — | 70 | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charm | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | No legitimate father can pass it down (tooltip on the page) |
| Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 70 | 100 | 20 | Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Sunflora |
| Razor Wind | Normal | Physical | 80 | 75 | 10 | Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
| Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | Lapras, Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| AncientPower | Pokémon Center Mystery Egg (Japan); Pokémon Center New York |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen I (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM) |
| Mega Drain | Gen I (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Reflect | Gen I (TM) |
| Substitute | Gen I (TM) |
| Swords Dance | Gen I (TM) |
| Take Down | Gen I (TM) |
Generation III · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed & LeafGreen11 level-up · 19 TM/HM · 8 egg · 12 tutor
A first partner again in FireRed and LeafGreen; Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald get it only by trade or event. Tutor moves come from FireRed and LeafGreen, Emerald and Pokémon XD.
By level-up
| RSE/FRLG | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 35 | 95 | 35 |
| 4 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 10 | Vine Whip | Grass | Special | 35 | 100 | 10 |
| 15 | PoisonPowder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 15 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 20 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Special | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 25 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 32 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 39 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 46 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM09 | Bullet Seed | Grass | Special | 10 | 100 | 30 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM19 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM22 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Physical | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM05 | Flash | Normal | Status | — | 70 | 20 |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 20 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charm | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Shroomish, Breloom (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
| Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking |
| GrassWhistle | Grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 | Roselia |
| Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos |
| Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Bellossom, Roselia, Tropius |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 70 | 100 | 20 | Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Sunflora, Roselia |
| Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | Lapras, Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Emerald |
| Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | Emerald |
| Mimic | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 | Emerald |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
| Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | FRLG, Emerald |
Generation IV · Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver14 level-up · 28 TM/HM · 14 egg · 9 tutor
The first generation in which every move is physical or special in its own right. In HeartGold and SoulSilver Professor Oak hands you a Bulbasaur after you beat Red; Power Whip and Sludge are Egg Moves in those two games only.
By level-up
| DPPt/HGSS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 35 | 95 | 35 |
| 3 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 9 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 35 | 100 | 15 |
| 13 | PoisonPowder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 13 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 15 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 19 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 21 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 25 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 27 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| 31 | Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 37 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM09 | Bullet Seed | Grass | Physical | 10 | 100 | 30 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM19 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM22 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM53 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM70 | Flash | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM78 | Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM83 | Natural Gift | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM86 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax |
| Charm | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Shroomish, Breloom (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
| Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra |
| GrassWhistle | Grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 | Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Snover, Abomasnow |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Tangela, Tangrowth, Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Cacnea, Cacturne, Carnivine and 2 more |
| Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 140 | 90 | 5 | Victreebel, Exeggutor, Bellossom, Sunflora, Grovyle, Sceptile, Shiftry, Tropius and 3 more |
| Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos |
| Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Bellossom, Roselia, Roserade, Tropius, Cherubi and 1 more |
| Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 20 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Meganium, Sunflora, Roselia, Cherrim |
| Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Tangela, Tangrowth, Carnivine |
| Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | Lapras, Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise |
| Sludge | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | HGSS |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| String Shot | Bug | Status | — | 95 | 40 | HGSS |
| Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 | Pt, HGSS |
| Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 | HGSS |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
Generation V · Black, White, Black 2 & White 214 level-up · 26 TM/HM · 14 egg · 9 tutor · 4 event
Bulbasaur reached Black and White through a Global Link event and Black 2 and White 2 through Poké Transfer. Event Eggs in Japan and Korea hatched Bulbasaur that already knew Frenzy Plant.
By level-up
| BW/B2W2 | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 3 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 9 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 35 | 100 | 15 |
| 13 | PoisonPowder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 13 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 15 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 19 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 21 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 25 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| 27 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| 31 | Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 37 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM09 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM16 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM22 | SolarBeam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM53 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM70 | Flash | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM86 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM94 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax |
| Charm | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Cottonee |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra, Ferroseed, Ferrothorn |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Shieldon, Bastiodon |
| Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Tangela, Tangrowth, Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff, Sunkern and 14 more |
| GrassWhistle | Grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 | Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Snover, Abomasnow |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Tangela, Tangrowth, Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Cacnea, Cacturne, Carnivine and 7 more |
| Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 140 | 90 | 5 | Victreebel, Exeggutor, Bellossom, Sunflora, Grovyle, Sceptile, Shiftry, Tropius and 6 more |
| Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Bellossom, Roselia, Roserade, Tropius, Cherubi and 1 more |
| Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Meganium, Sunflora, Roselia and 2 more |
| Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Tangela, Tangrowth, Carnivine, Ferrothorn |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise |
| Sludge | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bind | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | B2W2 |
| Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Grass Pledge | Grass | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 | BW, B2W2 |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 | B2W2 |
| Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | B2W2 |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 | B2W2 |
| Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| False Swipe | Sticker Promotional Egg Bulbasaur (Japan); Korean Egg Bulbasaur |
| Block | Sticker Promotional Egg Bulbasaur (Japan); Korean Egg Bulbasaur |
| Frenzy Plant | Sticker Promotional Egg Bulbasaur (Japan); Korean Egg Bulbasaur |
| Weather Ball | Sticker Promotional Egg Bulbasaur (Japan); Korean Egg Bulbasaur |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Bullet Seed | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| String Shot | Gen IV (tutor) |
Generation VI · X, Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire14 level-up · 31 TM/HM · 15 egg · 8 tutor · 1 event
In X and Y Professor Sycamore offers Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle in Lumiose City; Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire get it by trade or event.
By level-up
| XY/ORAS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 35 |
| 3 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 9 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| 13 | Poison Powder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 13 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 15 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 19 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 21 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 25 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 27 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| 31 | Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 37 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | |
| TM09 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM16 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM22 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM53 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM70 | Flash | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| TM86 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM94 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | XY |
| TM94 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| TM96 | Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax |
| Charm | Fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Cottonee, Tyrunt, Tyrantrum |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra, Ferroseed, Ferrothorn and 4 more |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Shieldon, Bastiodon |
| Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Paras, Parasect, Tangela, Tangrowth, Hoppip, Skiploom and 17 more |
| Grass Whistle | Grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 | Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Snover, Abomasnow |
| Grassy Terrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Tangela, Tangrowth, Roserade |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Tangela, Tangrowth, Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Cacnea, Cacturne, Carnivine and 9 more |
| Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 | Victreebel, Exeggutor, Bellossom, Sunflora, Grovyle, Sceptile, Shiftry, Tropius and 6 more |
| Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Bellossom, Roselia, Roserade, Tropius, Cherubi and 1 more |
| Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Amaura, Aurorus |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Meganium, Sunflora, Roselia, Cherrim and 1 more |
| Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Tangela, Tangrowth, Carnivine, Ferrothorn |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Avalugg |
| Sludge | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Mudkip (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bind | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | ORAS |
| Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
| Grass Pledge | Grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | XY, ORAS |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 | ORAS |
| Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Celebrate | 2016 World Championships Bulbasaur |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Block | Gen V (event) |
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Bullet Seed | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| False Swipe | Gen V (event) |
| Frenzy Plant | Gen V (event) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| String Shot | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Weather Ball | Gen V (event) |
Generation VII · Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon15 level-up · 26 TM/HM · 15 egg · 8 tutor
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's Island Scan turns up Bulbasaur on Fridays. In Sun and Moon a slip left Leech Seed out of its level-up moves (Vine Whip appears twice); Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon put it back.
By level-up
| SM | USUM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 3 | 3 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| N/A | 7 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 7 | N/A | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| 9 | 9 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| 13 | 13 | Poison Powder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 13 | 13 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 15 | 15 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 19 | 19 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 21 | 21 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 25 | 25 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 27 | 27 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| 31 | 31 | Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | 33 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 37 | 37 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM09 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM16 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM22 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM53 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM86 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM96 | Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax |
| Charm | Fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Cottonee, Tyrunt, Tyrantrum |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra, Ferroseed, Ferrothorn and 4 more |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Shieldon, Bastiodon, Turtonator |
| Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Paras, Parasect, Tangela, Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff and 19 more |
| Grass Whistle | Grass | Status | — | 55 | 15 | Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Snover, Abomasnow |
| Grassy Terrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Tangela, Tangrowth, Roserade, Comfey |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Tangela, Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Cacnea, Cacturne, Carnivine, Snover and 13 more |
| Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 | Victreebel, Exeggutor, Exeggutor (Alolan), Bellossom, Sunflora, Grovyle, Sceptile, Shiftry and 7 more |
| Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Bellossom, Roselia, Tropius, Roserade, Cherubi and 2 more |
| Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Amaura, Aurorus |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Meganium, Sunflora, Roselia and 3 more |
| Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | Lickitung, Tangela, Carnivine, Lickilicky, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Avalugg |
| Sludge | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Mudkip (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bind | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | USUM |
| Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Grass Pledge | Grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | SM, USUM |
| Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
| Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 | USUM |
| Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 | USUM |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Block | Gen V (event) |
| Body Slam | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Bullet Seed | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Celebrate | Gen VI (event) |
| Cut | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| False Swipe | Gen V (event) |
| Flash | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Frenzy Plant | Gen V (event) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mega Drain | Gen I (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Razor Wind | Gen II (breeding) |
| Reflect | Gen I (TM) |
| Rock Smash | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM/HM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Strength | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| String Shot | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Weather Ball | Gen V (event) |
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! · Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!10 level-up · 12 TM/HM
Found in Viridian Forest, with a one-off gift in Cerulean City. There is no breeding or move tutoring in these games – and Solar Beam hits for a mighty 200 power.
By level-up
| LGPE | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 5 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| 9 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 14 | Poison Powder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 14 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 18 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 23 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 27 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 32 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM05 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM06 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| TM07 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM08 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM09 | Reflect | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM12 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM39 | Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM45 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 200 | 100 | 10 |
| TM52 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM53 | Mega Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
Generation VIII · Sword & Shield (incl. Expansion Pass), Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl15 level-up · 58 TM/HM · 18 egg · 2 tutor
Bulbasaur joined Sword and Shield with The Isle of Armor (one with the Gigantamax Factor waits at the Master Dojo) and lives in the Grand Underground in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl once you have the National Pokédex. It can't be found in Legends: Arceus.
By level-up
| SwSh/BDSP | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 3 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| 6 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 9 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 12 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 15 | Poison Powder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 15 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 18 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| 21 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 24 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 27 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 30 | Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| 36 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM10 | Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TM11 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM17 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh |
| TM19 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | SwSh |
| TM21 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM24 | Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM25 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM28 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM29 | Charm | Fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM31 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM34 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | SwSh |
| TM39 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM41 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TM46 | Weather Ball | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM50 | Bullet Seed | Grass | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 | SwSh |
| TM74 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM76 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM88 | Grassy Terrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM94 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 | SwSh |
| TR00 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR01 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR17 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR20 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR22 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR26 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR27 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR59 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR65 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR71 | Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR72 | Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR77 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TR85 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM09 | Bullet Seed | Grass | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 | BDSP |
| TM10 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | BDSP |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | BDSP |
| TM16 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | 30 | BDSP |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM19 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM20 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | 25 | BDSP |
| TM22 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | BDSP |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM53 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM54 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 | BDSP |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM70 | Flash | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM75 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | BDSP |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM86 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM93 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | BDSP |
| TM96 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM98 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowpoke (Galarian), Slowbro, Slowbro (Galarian), Slowking, Slowking (Galarian), Ferroseed, Ferrothorn and 5 more |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Tangela, Tangrowth, Roselia, Roserade, Snover, Abomasnow, Maractus, Foongus and 9 more |
| Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Roselia, Roserade, Cherrim and 2 more |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Avalugg |
| Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Nidoking, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Roselia and 4 more |
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Snorlax, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert |
| Charm | Fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Shroomish, Breloom (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra |
| Grassy Terrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Tangela, Tangrowth, Roserade |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Tangela, Tangrowth, Sunkern, Sunflora, Roselia, Roserade, Cacnea, Cacturne and 3 more |
| Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 | Victreebel, Exeggutor, Sunflora, Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile, Tropius, Turtwig and 2 more |
| Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Roselia, Roserade, Tropius, Cherubi, Cherrim |
| Nature Power | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf and 1 more |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Meganium, Sunflora, Roselia and 2 more |
| Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Tangela, Tangrowth, Carnivine |
| Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 130 | 100 | 10 | Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise |
| Sludge | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 | Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert (chain breeding: the father must itself have learned it as an egg move) |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Pledge | Grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| Grassy Glide | Grass | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Expansion Pass |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Bind | Gen V (tutor), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Block | Gen V (event) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM) |
| Celebrate | Gen VI (event) |
| Confide | Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Cut | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Double Team | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Echoed Voice | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Flash | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Frenzy Plant | Gen V (event) |
| Frustration | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Grass Whistle | Gen III (breeding), Gen IV (breeding), Gen V (breeding), Gen VI (breeding), Gen VII (breeding) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor), Gen VII (TM) |
| Hidden Power | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Knock Off | Gen IV (tutor), Gen V (tutor), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Mega Drain | Gen I (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Outrage | Gen VII (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Razor Wind | Gen II (breeding) |
| Reflect | Gen I (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Return | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Rock Smash | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM/HM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Sludge | Gen IV (breeding), Gen V (breeding), Gen VI (breeding), Gen VII (breeding) |
| Strength | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| String Shot | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Swagger | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
Generation IX · Scarlet & Violet15 level-up · 34 TM/HM · 4 egg
Wild in the Blueberry Academy Terarium in The Indigo Disk, or by trade.
By level-up
| SV | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| 3 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | 100 | 25 |
| 6 | Growth | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 9 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 12 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | 95 | 25 |
| 15 | Poison Powder | Poison | Status | — | 75 | 35 |
| 15 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | 75 | 15 |
| 18 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| 21 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| 24 | Sweet Scent | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| 27 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | 5 |
| 30 | Worry Seed | Grass | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| 33 | Power Whip | Grass | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
| 36 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM001 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM002 | Charm | Fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM007 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM013 | Acid Spray | Poison | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| TM020 | Trailblaze | Grass | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| TM025 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM033 | Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM045 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| TM047 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM049 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM056 | Bullet Seed | Grass | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| TM057 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| TM066 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM070 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM071 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM081 | Grass Knot | Grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM085 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM088 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM103 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM111 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| TM119 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM130 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM137 | Grassy Terrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM146 | Grass Pledge | Grass | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM148 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM159 | Leaf Storm | Grass | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| TM168 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM171 | Tera Blast | Normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM175 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM181 | Knock Off | Dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| TM193 | Weather Ball | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| TM194 | Grassy Glide | Grass | Physical | 55 | 100 | 20 |
| TM204 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| TM224 | Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curse | Ghost | Status | — | — | 10 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra, Phantump, Trevenant, Bergmite, Avalugg, Appletun, Bramblin, Brambleghast (+ Galar/Hisui forms) (17 total) |
| Ingrain | Grass | Status | — | — | 20 | Sunflora, Cacnea, Cacturne, Snover, Abomasnow, Foongus, Amoonguss, Phantump, Trevenant, Fomantis, Lurantis (11 total) |
| Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Meganium, Sunflora, Comfey, Arboliva (9 total) |
| Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellossom, Slowking (Galar), Shroomish, Breloom, Foongus, Amoonguss, Salandit (10 total) |
Pokémon Legends: Z-A · Legends: Z-A15 level-up · 21 TM/HM
Mable gives you a Bulbasaur at the Pokémon Research Lab in Vert District, and wild ones live in Wild Zone 20. Legends: Z-A swaps PP for cooldowns, so some numbers differ from the main series.
By level-up
| Learn | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 40 | — | — |
| 1 | Growl | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| 3 | Vine Whip | Grass | Physical | 45 | — | — |
| 6 | Growth | Grass | Status | — | — | — |
| 9 | Leech Seed | Grass | Status | — | — | — |
| 12 | Razor Leaf | Grass | Physical | 55 | — | — |
| 15 | Poison Powder | Poison | Status | — | — | — |
| 15 | Sleep Powder | Grass | Status | — | — | — |
| 25 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | — | — |
| 30 | Magical Leaf | Grass | Special | 60 | — | — |
| 35 | Synthesis | Grass | Status | — | — | — |
| 40 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | — |
| 42 | Sludge Wave | Poison | Special | 95 | — | — |
| 45 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | — | — |
| 55 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | — | — |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM007 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | — | — |
| TM016 | Light Screen | Psychic | Status | — | — | — |
| TM017 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| TM026 | Energy Ball | Grass | Special | 90 | — | — |
| TM030 | Swords Dance | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| TM033 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | — | — |
| TM035 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| TM040 | Bullet Seed | Grass | Physical | 15 | — | — |
| TM042 | Giga Drain | Grass | Special | 75 | — | — |
| TM051 | Safeguard | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| TM053 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | — | — |
| TM056 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | — | — |
| TM064 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special | 120 | — | — |
| TM085 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| TM103 | Work Up | Normal | Status | — | — | — |
| TM109 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | — | — |
| TM112 | Acid Spray | Poison | Special | 40 | — | — |
| TM115 | Trailblaze | Grass | Physical | 40 | — | — |
| TM122 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical | 40 | — | — |
| TM128 | Seed Bomb | Grass | Physical | 35 | — | — |
| TM151 | Petal Dance | Grass | Special | 40 | — | — |
04Ash's Bulbasaur & friends
Bulbasaur in the anime
Debut EP001Pokémon – I Choose You! · Ash’s loyal Bulbasaur, its battle record, and 6 other trainers who raised one.
Bulbasaur has been part of the anime from its very first episode, and few Pokémon have had a richer career on screen. Ash's Bulbasaur – the wary guardian of Melanie's Hidden Village – became the show's most sensible team member, the Pokémon that famously refused to evolve in the Mysterious Garden, a Hall of Famer in the Orange Islands and, eventually, the diplomat who keeps the peace at Professor Oak's Laboratory. Over more than 200 episodes at Ash's side it battled Gym Leaders, League rivals and a Frontier Brain, and it still turns up to greet him whenever he comes home.
Ash is far from the only Trainer to fall for the Seed Pokémon. May found hers in a forbidden forest and raised it into a Contest-winning Venusaur; Shauna's Kalos first partner blossomed into a Showcase star and an Ivysaur; Gilbert, Red and Honey have all had one at their side. Wild Bulbasaur leave their mark too – from the evolution festival of the Mysterious Garden and the giant of the Trovitopolis sewers to the flower-filled march through Vermilion City in Pokémon Journeys.
Ash's Bulbasaur
Trainer profile
Ash Ketchum
- Caught in
- EP010Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village
- First aired
- 3 June 1997 (Japan) · 21 September 1998 (US)
- Where
- The Hidden Village – Melanie's secret refuge for abandoned and injured Pokémon, in the wilds between Cerulean City and Vermilion City
- Status
- At Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town, where it has lived since EP225 – still part of Ash's wider team and available to be called up
- Japanese name
- サトシのフシギダネ
- Moves used
- TackleVine WhipRazor LeafLeech SeedSolar BeamSleep PowderTake DownDig
- How it joined
- Melanie felt it had outgrown the village; Bulbasaur agreed to go with Ash on one condition – a battle – and Pikachu's Thunderbolt, conducted down its own vines, sealed the catch.
Personality
Ash's Bulbasaur is the grown-up of the group – level-headed, dutiful and quietly proud, the Pokémon most likely to spot a trap or break up a fight. It joined Ash as a sceptic, wary of Trainers after years of guarding abandoned Pokémon, and that streak of stubbornness never quite left: it will ignore a recall order if it thinks the battle is still winnable, and it decides for itself whether it wants to evolve. Its soft spots are its friends – above all Squirtle, whose squabbles bring out a surprisingly childish side – while its one great fear is, fittingly, Venusaur.
Bulbasaur entered the series as a bodyguard. In the Hidden Village, Melanie's secret sanctuary for abandoned and injured Pokémon, it saw off Misty's Starmie and Ash's Butterfree and treated every human as a likely kidnapper. Only after it helped repel Team Rocket did Melanie suggest it see the wider world – and Bulbasaur agreed on its own terms, demanding a battle first. Pikachu's Thunderbolt ran straight down its vines, and Ash had his first Grass-type (EP010).
Trust took time. Stranded on the island of giant Pokémon, Bulbasaur was the one teammate convinced Ash had abandoned them (EP017), and it froze at the sight of a towering Venusaur – a fear that resurfaced at Maiden's Peak (EP020). Yet it quickly became the steady third point of the Squirtle-and-Charmander triangle, shouldering early defeats (Erika's Tangela in EP026, Duplica's Ditto in EP037) alongside gutsy wins such as its Leech Seed victory over Aya's Venonat at the Fuchsia Gym (EP032).
Its defining moment came in Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden (EP051). After a battle with a Hiker's Rhyhorn left its bulb glowing, a parade of wild Bulbasaur led it to a hidden festival where they evolve together under a great Venusaur. Ash's Bulbasaur dug in its heels and refused – and when Ash stood between it and an angry Venusaur, then accepted its choice, their bond was sealed. The dawn sun gave it Solar Beam, which promptly wrecked Team Rocket's vacuum, and Venusaur offered a vine in respect.
By the Indigo Plateau Conference it was one of Ash's most dependable battlers. Lent to Misty for the Princess Festival it swept the early rounds before Jessie's Lickitung licked it into submission (EP052). On the big screen it opened Mewtwo Strikes Back by defeating Raymond's Donphan – and was then captured and cloned by Mewtwo (M01). At the Indigo Plateau it toppled Jeanette Fisher's Beedrill and Scyther before Bellsprout's rubbery body finally beat it (EP077).
The Orange Islands brought sleds, sewers and silverware. Bulbasaur steered the ice sled to victory at the Navel Gym (EP093), went toe-to-toe with a giant Bulbasaur abandoned in the Trovitopolis sewers for refusing to evolve (EP102), and earned the Spike Shell Badge round with Sleep Powder on Rudy's Exeggutor (EP103). Drake's Electabuzz knocked it out in the Orange League final, but Ash took the trophy and Bulbasaur entered the Orange League Hall of Fame (EP112).
In Johto it became the elder statesman. It scolded Heracross for treating its bulb as a nectar bar (EP119, EP136), bade farewell to Squirtle when its best friend returned to the Squirtle Squad (EP147), and won Ash the Totodile with a full-power Solar Beam against Misty's freshly evolved Poliwhirl (EP151). It impressed a dojo master by beating Chigusa's Hitmontop (EP166), finished runner-up in the Grass Tournament to Ephraim's Skiploom (EP178), and in Sick Daze sniffed out a trap that Ash's younger Pokémon walked straight into (EP193).
Then came the job offer. Professor Oak's lab had descended into turf wars, so Ash sent Bulbasaur home as an ambassador. It brokered peace between Grass- and Water-types, organised the digging of a new lake, and even learned Dig in an emergency to save an Oddish from a falling boulder. Oak asked it to stay – and Ash, sad but proud, agreed (EP225). It was recalled once more for the Silver Conference, beating Jackson's Shiny Magneton before a double Solar Beam knockout with his Meganium (EP268), and it starred in two Pokémon Chronicles stories guarding the lab and helping a new Trainer choose his partner (HS04, HS14).
Its Hoenn cameo turned it into a mentor. Asked to meet May's newly caught Bulbasaur, it helped her win back stolen Poké Balls from Team Rocket (AG074); May later left her Bulbasaur at the lab to learn from it (AG133). For the Battle Pyramid rematch with Brandon, Ash called it up alongside Charizard and Squirtle: it beat Dusclops with Solar Beam and traded a double knockout with Solrock, paving the way for Pikachu to clinch the Brave Symbol and complete the Battle Frontier (AG189–AG190).
Since then Bulbasaur has been the lab's resident peacekeeper and Ash's loyal welcome party: shooing a sap-thieving Heracross off its bulb while Ash was in Sinnoh (DP182), a Solar Beam signal flare for Ash's Unova team (BW142), another Grass-type feud settled when Ash dropped in from Alola (SM042). In Pokémon Journeys it watched Ash's Masters Eight run from the lab, appeared in Pikachu's vision during the final against Leon (JN132), and reunited – messily, then happily – with Squirtle and the Squirtle Squad (JN141).
Battle record
| Episode | Opponent | Context | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP010Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village | Mistyvs Starmie | Casual – guarding the Hidden VillageStill wild, it flattens Starmie with Tackle to protect an Oddish. | Won |
| EP010Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village | Ashvs Butterfree | Casual – guarding the Hidden VillageBlows Butterfree's own Sleep Powder straight back at it. | Won |
| EP010Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village | Team Rocketvs Balloon vacuum | Team RocketIts vines wrestle the vacuum hose until Pidgeotto's Gust sends the trio flying. | Won |
| EP010Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village | Ashvs Pikachu | Capture battlePikachu's Thunderbolt travels down Bulbasaur's own vines – and Ash makes the catch. | Lost |
| EP015Battle Aboard the St. Anne | Team Rocket Gruntsvs Grunts' Pokémon | Team RocketJoins the passengers' Pokémon in routing the Grunts aboard the S.S. Anne. | Won |
| EP019Tentacool and Tentacruel | wildvs Giant Tentacruel | Wild PokémonCarried into battle by Butterfree; both are knocked out. | Lost |
| EP025Primeape Goes Bananas | wildvs Primeape | Wild PokémonPrimeape punches its Razor Leaf to pieces and Ash swaps to Charmander. | Unknown |
| EP026Pokémon Scent-sation! | Erikavs Tangela | Gym battle (Celadon Gym)Constrict and Stun Spore paralyse it; the battle is later abandoned when the Gym catches fire. | Lost |
| EP032The Ninja Poké-Showdown | Ayavs Venonat | Gym challenge (Fuchsia Gym, Koga's sister)Shrugs off a super-effective Psybeam and drains Venonat with Leech Seed. | Won |
| EP036The Bridge Bike Gang | Choppervs Golem | Casual (biker gang leader)Golem's shell shrugs off Vine Whip and a single Tackle ends it. | Lost |
| EP037Ditto's Mysterious Mansion | Duplicavs Ditto | CasualDitto turns into a Bulbasaur and ties it up with Vine Whip; Ash forfeits. | Lost |
| EP045The Song of Jigglypuff | Team Rocketvs Weezing | Team RocketVine Whip spins Weezing so its Poison Gas hits Team Rocket instead. | Won |
| EP049So Near, Yet So Farfetch'd | Keithvs Farfetch'd | CasualAgility and a flurry of leek strikes beat it. | Lost |
| EP050Who Gets to Keep Togepi? | Mistyvs Psyduck | Togepi tournamentLicks and tickles Psyduck back into its Poké Ball – though Togepi still picks Misty. | Won |
| EP051Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden | a Hikervs Rhyhorn | CasualRefuses to be recalled and wins with Razor Leaf and Vine Whip. | Won |
| EP051Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden | Team Rocketvs Balloon vacuum | Team RocketIts first Solar Beam bursts the vacuum and frees the new Ivysaur. | Won |
| EP052Princess vs. Princess | Princess Festival entrantsvs Kingler, Pinsir, Cubone, Raticate, Graveler | Queen of the Princess Festival (lent to Misty)Sweeps the early rounds single-handed for Misty. | Won |
| EP052Princess vs. Princess | Jessievs Lickitung | Queen of the Princess Festival final (lent to Misty)Lickitung's tongue ties up its vines and a lick finishes it. | Lost |
| M01Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back | Raymondvs Donphan | Casual (film opening)Ash cruises past Raymond in the opening song. | Won |
| EP063The Battle of the Badge | Jessie (standing in for Giovanni)vs Kingler | Gym battle (Viridian Gym)Harden blunts Vine Whip and Bubble hits home; Ash moves on to Pidgeotto. | Unknown |
| EP073Bad to the Bone | Otoshivs Marowak | CasualA critical Bone Club knocks it out; Pikachu then wins. | Lost |
| EP077The Fourth Round Rumble | Jeanette Fishervs Beedrill | Indigo Plateau Conference, fourth roundLeech Seed, then Tackle. | Won |
| EP077The Fourth Round Rumble | Jeanette Fishervs Scyther | Indigo Plateau Conference, fourth roundWhips every Double Team copy until the real Scyther falls. | Won |
| EP077The Fourth Round Rumble | Jeanette Fishervs Bellsprout | Indigo Plateau Conference, fourth roundBellsprout's rubbery body soaks up Tackle; Ash still wins the match with Muk. | Lost |
| EP079Friend and Foe Alike | Team Rocketvs Jessie and James | Team RocketVine Whip sees off the trio after their truck crash. | Won |
| EP093Navel Maneuvers | Dannyvs Machoke, Scyther, Nidoqueen; then Geodude, Electrode, Scyther | Gym challenge (Navel Gym, rounds 2 and 3)Helps carve the ice sled and steers it in the downhill race; Ash wins the Sea Ruby Badge 2–1. | Won |
| EP094Snack Attack | wildvs Snorlax | Wild PokémonFlattened by Body Slam; Pikachu later helps catch the Snorlax. | Lost |
| EP098A Way Off Day Off | Team Rocketvs Arbok and Weezing | Team RocketVine Whip softens them up before Charizard and Scyther finish the job. | Won |
| EP099The Mandarin Island Miss Match | a Trainervs Butterfree | CasualFinished off with Razor Leaf on Mandarin Island. | Won |
| EP102The Mystery Menace | abandoned giant Bulbasaurvs Giant Bulbasaur | Wild PokémonIts Razor Leaf is swatted aside and it is dragged into the sewer water – the pair later team up against the Mayor. | Lost |
| EP103Misty Meets Her Match | Rudyvs Exeggutor | Gym battle (Trovita Gym, round 2)Sleep Powder counts as a knockout; Ash wins the Spike Shell Badge 2–1. | Won |
| EP104Bound for Trouble | Team Rocketvs Victreebel and Arbok | Team RocketOne Vine Whip sends both flying. | Won |
| EP112Enter the Dragonite | Drakevs Electabuzz | Orange League Winner's Trophy (full battle)Lands a Tackle before Thunder Punch knocks it out; Ash still wins the title. | Lost |
| EP117Don't Touch That 'dile | Team Rocketvs Team Rocket's Pokémon | Team RocketRazor Leaf joins Thunderbolt, Flamethrower and Water Gun in a four-way combo. | Won |
| EP121Illusion Confusion! | wildvs Haunter and Gengar | Wild PokémonVine Whip plus Pikachu's Thunderbolt scares the ghosts away. | Won |
| EP126The Chikorita Rescue | wildvs Chikorita | Wild PokémonTrades Razor Leaves, then takes a Vine Whip to the head and is recalled. | Unknown |
| EP151The Totodile Duel | Mistyvs Poliwag → Poliwhirl | Casual (deciding who keeps Totodile)Poliwag evolves mid-battle, but a full-power Solar Beam wins the round and the match. | Won |
| EP166Two Hits and a Miss | runaway Taurosvs Tauros | CasualVine Whip and Sleep Powder stop the stampede. | Won |
| EP166Two Hits and a Miss | Chigusavs Hitmontop | Fighting dojo trial (Kenzo)Spins Hitmontop with its vines and finishes with Tackle; Kenzo declares Ash the winner. | Won |
| EP172Mountain Time | Team Rocketvs Weezing and Victreebel | Team RocketPart of the ground fight; Team Rocket are eventually blasted off. | Unknown |
| EP176Ariados, Amigos | Ayavs Venonat | RematchVaults on its vines and strikes from above with Vine Whip. | Won |
| EP178The Grass Route | a Trainervs Gloom | Grass Tournament, round 1Wins with a single attack. | Won |
| EP178The Grass Route | Jessievs Meowth (disguised as a Sunflora) | Grass Tournament, round 2Razor Leaf exposes the disguise and Vine Whip blasts Team Rocket off. | Won |
| EP178The Grass Route | Ephraimvs Skiploom (Skippy) | Grass Tournament finalSkippy learns Solar Beam mid-battle and finishes it with Tackle – runner-up. | Lost |
| EP187Moving Pictures | Team Rocketvs Snow-blowing mecha | Team RocketThawed by Sunkern's Sunny Day, it fires Solar Beam through the machine. | Won |
| EP268Tie One On! | Jacksonvs Magneton (Shiny) | Silver Conference preliminary roundSpinning Vine Whip beats Double Team; Leech Seed and Vine Whip finish it. | Won |
| EP268Tie One On! | Jacksonvs Meganium | Silver Conference preliminary roundA Grass-type grudge match ends in a double Solar Beam knockout. | Draw |
| HS04Showdown at the Oak Corral | Butch and Cassidyvs Hitmontop | Team Rocket (Pokémon Chronicles)Defending Oak's lab, it bounces Rapid Spin back and finishes with Solar Beam. | Won |
| HS14Journey to the Starting Line! | wildvs Primeape (group) | Rescue (Pokémon Chronicles)Solar Beam scatters the Primeape cornering Gilbert and a young Bulbasaur. | Won |
| AG074Hokey Poké Balls! | Team Rocketvs Seviper and Cacnea | Team RocketTag-teams with May's Bulbasaur to win back the stolen Poké Balls. | Won |
| AG133The Right Place and the Right Mime | Team Rocketvs Seviper and Cacnea | Team RocketFights beside May's Bulbasaur; its Solar Beam blasts them off. | Won |
| AG190Pace – The Final Frontier! | Brandonvs Dusclops | Battle Frontier – Battle Pyramid (Brave Symbol)Shakes off Confuse Ray and lands a Solar Beam. | Won |
| AG190Pace – The Final Frontier! | Brandonvs Solrock | Battle Frontier – Battle Pyramid (Brave Symbol)Clashing Solar Beams knock both out; Pikachu then beats Regice and Ash wins. | Draw |
| JN141A Squad's Worth of Passion! | Ash's Squirtlevs Squirtle | Squabble between old friendsTries to keep the peace, then joins the scrap – Ash breaks it up. | Interrupted |
Why didn’t it evolve?
Bulbasaur came closer to evolving than any of Ash's Pokémon before it simply said no. In EP051 its bulb began to glow after a hard-fought battle, and it was escorted to the Mysterious Garden, where hundreds of Bulbasaur evolve at once under Venusaur's watch. It fought the process, Ash respected its wish, and it stayed exactly as it was – making it the only one of Ash's Pokémon to refuse evolution once it had started. The choice fits its character: proud of what it is, wary of becoming the Venusaur it has always feared, and determined to win as a Bulbasaur. The same theme returns in EP102, where a giant Bulbasaur turns out to have been abandoned as a child for refusing to evolve.
Key episodes
Ash’s Bulbasaur trivia
- It is the only one of Ash's Pokémon to refuse to evolve once the process had already begun (EP051).
- From EP010 to EP225 it spent 216 consecutive episodes in Ash's party – longer than any of his Pokémon apart from Pikachu.
- Its Dig in EP225 is the only move error the anime has acknowledged in-universe: Tracey points out that Bulbasaur shouldn't know it, and Professor Oak explains that a crisis can unlock hidden power.
- It was Ash's first Grass-type and first Poison-type – yet it has never used a Poison-type move.
- Its biggest fear is its own final form: a robotic Venusaur (EP017) and an illusory one (EP020) both stop it in its tracks.
- The Japanese version never states its gender, though it uses the masculine pronoun 'ore' in EP017; the English dub calls it 'he' from EP010.
- Pokémon the Series: XY is the only Ash-led series in which it never appears.
- Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden (EP051) gave its name to the long-running fan network Bulbagarden.
Other trainers’ Bulbasaur
First seen: AG073Grass Hysteria!
Evolved: DP078Pruning a Passel of Pals!
Snatched away by a Skarmory and dropped in the Forbidden Forest, a sanctuary closed to humans, May met a gentle Bulbasaur – the child of the forest's guardian Venusaur – who vouched for her and chose to leave home with her (AG073). With a heart-shaped mark on its forehead and Petal Dance in place of Solar Beam, it was a softer soul than Ash's Bulbasaur, and its first Contest ended in stage fright against Savannah's Lairon (AG078). It bounced back to win the Purika Contest with a Razor Leaf and Petal Dance flourish against Harley's Cacturne (AG103) and helped May reach the Hoenn Grand Festival's last eight (AG123). In Kanto, May left it at Professor Oak's Laboratory to learn from Ash's Bulbasaur (AG133), collected it in Johto, and returned to Sinnoh's Wallace Cup with a mighty Venusaur (DP078).
- AG074Hokey Poké Balls! · vs Seviper and Cacnea Won
- AG078Cruisin' for a Losin' · vs Lairon Lost
- AG103A Cacturne for the Worse · vs Surskit Won
- AG103A Cacturne for the Worse · vs Cacturne Won
- AG123Rhapsody in Drew · vs Cacturne and Banette Won
- AG123Rhapsody in Drew · vs Swalot and Pinsir Won
- AG133The Right Place and the Right Mime · vs Seviper and Cacnea Won
- DP078Pruning a Passel of Pals! · vs Marill Won
First seen: XY039Summer of Discovery!
Evolved: XY090Tag Team Battle Inspiration!
Shauna's first partner, received from Professor Sycamore, made its entrance at the Pokémon Summer Camp by powering an Energy Ball through Serena's Fennekin's Flamethrower (XY039). As part of Team Squirtle with Tierno's Squirtle and Trevor's Charmander, it reached the camp's team-battle final before Pikachu's Electro Ball knocked it out (XY042). Its real stage was the Pokémon Showcase: wearing a bouquet on its bulb, it and Flabébé won Shauna her first Princess Key in Coumarine City (XY060). By Anistar City it had become Ivysaur (XY090) and it went on to perform in the Master Class in Gloire City (XY112–XY113).
- XY039Summer of Discovery! · vs Fennekin Won
- XY042Battling into the Hall of Fame! · vs Pikachu, Fennekin and Chespin Lost
- XY060A Showcase Debut! · vs Showcase rivals Won
- XY090Tag Team Battle Inspiration! · vs Pikachu and Blastoise Interrupted
- XY091A Performance Pop Quiz! · vs Showcase rivals Lost
First seen: EP010Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village
Melanie runs a hidden refuge between Cerulean City and Vermilion City where abandoned and injured Pokémon recover, ringed with traps to keep Trainers out. Bulbasaur was her self-appointed guard, so suspicious of humans that it attacked Ash and Misty on sight. Recognising that the village was too small for it to grow, Melanie gently pushed it towards Ash – making her the reason Ash's Bulbasaur exists at all. She returns in flashbacks when Bulbasaur leaves for Professor Oak's lab (EP225).
First seen: HS14Journey to the Starting Line!
The mayor's son, Gilbert, wanted something flashier than a Kanto starter – until Ash's Tauros scattered the three first partner Pokémon and he had to search for them. The last one found was a young Bulbasaur cornered by a band of Primeape. Watching Ash's Bulbasaur rescue them both with Vine Whip and Solar Beam changed Gilbert's mind, and he set off on his journey with the little Bulbasaur as his partner (HS14).
First seen: PG01The Adventure
In The Adventure, the first episode of Pokémon Generations, Red is shown with a Bulbasaur, which he sends out against a wild Pikachu – a Pikachu he then catches. It is a fleeting role in a short that races through the Kanto story, but it gives the series' most famous Trainer a Bulbasaur of his own; in Pokémon Origins, by contrast, Red chose Charmander and left Bulbasaur behind.
- PG01The Adventure · vs Pikachu Won
First seen: EP001Pokémon – I Choose You!
Bulbasaur is one of the three first partner Pokémon Professor Oak offers new Trainers – Ash's second choice in EP001, though it had gone by the time he arrived. Oak brought a Bulbasaur to Hoenn in A Six Pack Attack!, where it slapped an over-curious Max away with Tackle, befriended May and, under Max's direction, helped break the captured first partners out of Team Rocket's cage (AG071). Another sits among the starters at the lab in AG133, and Oak hands one to the girl Marina in a flashback in I Choose You! (M20).
Featured episodes
- EP004Challenge of the SamuraiA flashback shows a Trainer's Bulbasaur defeating Samurai's Pinsir.
- EP051Bulbasaur's Mysterious GardenWild Bulbasaur gather in the Mysterious Garden for their evolution festival, where nearly all of them become Ivysaur together under a great Venusaur.
- M01Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes BackMewtwo clones Ash's Bulbasaur, and the copy joins the climactic clash of originals and clones.
- EP102The Mystery MenaceA colossal Bulbasaur haunts the Trovitopolis sewers – abandoned as a child by the town's Mayor because it would not evolve. After it helps humble the Mayor, Nurse Joy takes it into her care.
- AG015Gonna Rule the School!The Pokémon Trainers' School lends a Bulbasaur to its younger pupils for lessons.
- DP182An Old Family Blend!A Trainer's Bulbasaur competes in the Lily of the Valley Conference.
- M20Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!In a flashback, a young Trainer named Marina receives a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak on the day Ash met Pikachu.
- JN002Legend? Go! Friends? Go!Professor Cerise offers Goh a Bulbasaur as his first partner, but he turns it down.
- JN003Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!A mass outbreak of Bulbasaur and Ivysaur marches through Vermilion City to a sunny spot on a Gym construction site. After Ash and Pikachu fend off Team Rocket, the Ivysaur evolve into Venusaur, whose pollen makes the whole city bloom – and the young Bulbasaur evolve into Ivysaur.
- HZ001The Pendant That Starts It All (Part One)In the first episode of Pokémon Horizons a Trainer's Bulbasaur appears, and two more belong to students of Indigo Academy.
Beyond the main series
Anime gallery
“Bulbasaur. It bears the seed of a plant on its back from birth. The seed slowly develops. Researchers are unsure whether to classify Bulbasaur as a plant or animal. Bulbasaur are extremely tough and very difficult to capture in the wild.”
Ash's Pokédex (Dexter) · EP010
05On the big screen
Bulbasaur in the movies
11 films, 15 Pikachu shorts and 1 special featuring Bulbasaur.
Bulbasaur has been in Pokémon films since the very first one. Ash's Bulbasaur starts Mewtwo Strikes Back by beating Raymond's Donphan, gets copied for Mewtwo's clone army, and lends a vine (often literally) in The Power of One, Spell of the Unown and the TV special Mewtwo Returns. After that its film roles shrink to cameos, such as May's Bulbasaur in Destiny Deoxys and a flashback in I Choose You!, until 2019: the CGI remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, and Detective Pikachu, where a herd of wild Bulbasaur guides Tim to Mewtwo. The best Bulbasaur moments, though, are in the Pikachu shorts, where Ash's Bulbasaur gets to be a babysitter, a sledging menace and even a topiary artist.
Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
M01 · 1998
Ash's Bulbasaur; Mewtwo's clone Bulbasaur and clone Venusaur; Corey's Venusaur
Bulbasaur is in the thick of things from Ash's very first scene: before the mysterious invitation arrives, Ash, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pikachu make short work of the Trainer Raymond, with Bulbasaur seeing off his Donphan. On New Island, Ash recalls Bulbasaur and Squirtle, sure they'll be safe in their Poké Balls, only for Mewtwo's capture balls to swallow the capsules whole. Mewtwo copies Ash's Bulbasaur for its clone army, Corey's Venusaur falls to the clones in the stadium, and Bulbasaur is only freed when the captured balls burst open in Mewtwo's lab. Japan's extended Kanzenban cut even adds Dr. Fuji's 'Bulbasaurtwo'.
Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One
M02 · 1999
Ash's Bulbasaur (Ivysaur and Venusaur also appear)
With the legendary birds caged and the weather going haywire, Ash calls out Squirtle and Bulbasaur to help free Moltres, though it is Squirtle's Water Gun that finally springs the lock. Bulbasaur is then part of the team (Pikachu, Squirtle, Charizard and Lugia) with Ash as he races to Ice Island to set things right. Ivysaur and Venusaur also show up in the film.
Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown
M03 · 2000
Ash's Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur proves the best rope in the business. When a waterfall blocks the climb, Noctowl flies Bulbasaur and Chikorita to the top, and the two Grass types drop their vines to haul everyone else up after them.
M06 · 2003
A Bulbasaur (opening sequence only)
A blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo: a Bulbasaur turns up in the film's opening sequence, and that's its lot.
M07 · 2004
May's Bulbasaur; Ivysaur and two Venusaur in the intro
May's Bulbasaur is on her team for this film, though it gets no big scene of its own. For American audiences this was the first time they saw May's Bulbasaur at all, because the episode where she catches it didn't air in the US until 9 April 2005. Several Ivysaur and a pair of Venusaur appear in the intro.
M10 · 2007
Ash's Bulbasaur (montage of earlier films only)
Ash's Bulbasaur appears only in a montage of clips from earlier movies. It's a nostalgic nod rather than a role.
Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
M15 · 2012
Cameo in the all-species intro
The opening sequence parades every species discovered before Generation VI (Genesect excepted), so Bulbasaur gets a moment in the line-up. The Pikachu short shown with the film, Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, gives a wild Bulbasaur a much meatier part.
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
M20 · 2017
Marina's Bulbasaur (flashback); a Trainer's Bulbasaur and Ivysaur; Bulbasaur on Ash's first partner poster
This retelling of Ash's first steps has him grumble, mid-row with Pikachu, that he wishes he'd been given Bulbasaur or Squirtle instead. A flashback to the day Professor Oak hands out first partners shows a Trainer called Marina receiving a brand-new Bulbasaur, and the Kanto first partner poster in Ash's bedroom shows Bulbasaur in a new pose. In this timeline there's no sign of Ash ever catching one.
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
M21 · 2018
Two Trainers' Bulbasaur (background)
Bulbasaur is strictly an extra here: two Trainers' Bulbasaur are among the crowds of Pokémon in the film, with no scene to call their own.
2019
Wild Bulbasaur (a whole herd); two Venusaur
Bulbasaur's live-action debut is one of the film's gentlest moments. Pikachu is hurt in a narrow escape from a colossal Torterra in the mountains near the ruined PCL lab, and Tim talks a wild Bulbasaur into helping. Soon a whole troop of them, with Morelull in tow, leads Tim, Lucy and Pikachu through a valley to Mewtwo, who heals Pikachu. Two Venusaur appear in the film as well.
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
M22 · 2019
Ash's Bulbasaur; Mewtwo's clone Bulbasaur and clone Venusaur; Corey's Venusaur (Bruteroot)
The CGI remake keeps Bulbasaur's big moments and sharpens them: this time it finishes Raymond's Donphan with a Solar Beam. It's called out with Squirtle in the castle's entrance hall on New Island, gets taken inside its Poké Ball by Mewtwo's capture balls, and is reunited with Ash when the cloning machine explodes. The Venusaur clash gets an upgrade too, as Corey's Venusaur shrugs off a clone's Vine Whip before going down to Leaf Storm.
Pikachu shorts
- PK01Pikachu's Vacation (1998) · Ash's Bulbasaur
Left to mind a hungry Togepi, Bulbasaur knocks an apple down with Razor Leaf (Psyduck promptly eats it), then rocks the baby to sleep in its vines while singing it a lullaby. Later it squares up, with Squirtle, to a rowdy gang of Raichu, Snubbull, Marill and Cubone. The short premiered with Mewtwo Strikes Back. - PK02Christmas Night (1998) · Ash's Bulbasaur
In this Pikachu's Winter Vacation short, a party popper makes Bulbasaur jump and fling its own Bulbasaur-shaped cookie straight into Squirtle's mouth. In the furious chase that follows, a Vine Whip sets the Christmas tree tottering until it lands on Pikachu, and then everyone helps put it back up. - PK03Kanga Games (1998) · Ash's Bulbasaur
A snow day brings out Bulbasaur's mischievous side. It hits Squirtle with a snowball, then grabs it with its vines and rides it down the hill like a sledge, and later swings from a mother Kangaskhan's arm. - PK04Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999) · Ash's Bulbasaur
When Togepi ends up in an Exeggcute nest up a tree, Bulbasaur reaches for it with its vines and gets bitten for its trouble. In the storm that follows it catches the nest as it blows away, gets carried off itself, and is saved only when the other Pokémon form a living chain. Shown with The Power of One. - PK05Winter Games (1999) · Ash's Bulbasaur
At the ice rink Bulbasaur gives Togepi a ride, sends Squirtle sliding through a crowd of Pokémon, and is buried in snow after a curling mishap. It bursts back out to wrap up Meowth with Vine Whip and send it spinning across the ice. - PK06Stantler's Little Helpers (1999) · Ash's Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur and Chikorita make a Grass-type safety net, catching Pikachu with their vines when he falls from a snowy cliff carrying Berries. - PK07Pikachu & Pichu (2000) · Ash's Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur is one of Ash's Pokémon in this city-set short, though the Pichu Brothers hog the spotlight. It was shown with Spell of the Unown. - PK08Delibird's Dilemma (2000) · Ash's Bulbasaur
While hunting for Delibird's lost presents, Bulbasaur resets the bottles for Cyndaquil's bowling game, asks a parade of wild Gloom for clues, and teams up with Chikorita twice: once to catch a falling Delibird, and once to flick a falling present back up into the air. - PK09Snorlax Snowman (2000) · Ash's Bulbasaur
The gang end up frozen in place by the sea, so Bulbasaur and Chikorita cut a block of ice into a boat with Razor Leaf to get everyone home. - PK10Pikachu's PikaBoo (2001) · Ash's Bulbasaur
In a game of hide-and-seek, Bulbasaur starts out cheeky (snatching Togepi with its vines and running off) and then turns hero, helping Donphan stop a runaway lawnmower. At the end it works with Bayleef to trim the hedges into topiary Onix, Pichu, Pikachu and Togepi. Shown with Pokémon 4Ever. - PK13Pikachu's Summer Festival (2004) · May's Bulbasaur
May's Bulbasaur helps build the festival stage by the beach, and later tries to wake a knocked-out Corphish with Vine Whip. - PK14Pokémon 3D Adventure: Find Mew! (2005) · May's Bulbasaur (cameo)
May's Bulbasaur is in the cast of this 3D short, but doesn't get a scene of its own. - PK24Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade (2012) · Wild Bulbasaur
Deep in the forest, a wild Bulbasaur lets Totodile use its vines as a skipping rope, then catches Pikachu with Vine Whip after he's launched above the treetops. Later, in a chase through a gorge, it grabs Emolga while Totodile clings on to it. Shown with Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice. - PT03Blossom's Dream (POKÉTOON) (2021) · Two Bulbasaur (cameo)
Two Bulbasaur appear in this POKÉTOON web short from Studio Colorido. - PT04Wait for Me, Magikarp! (POKÉTOON) (2021) · Bulbasaur at a day care (and some Ditto)
At a Pokémon day care a little girl runs over to a group of Bulbasaur, and all but one of them turn out to be Ditto in disguise. She finds the real one when she hugs it.
TV specials
- Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2000)
On Mount Quena, Ash's Bulbasaur and Chikorita use Razor Leaf to turn a fallen tree into a canoe and oars so the group can cross the crater lake to the island in the middle. Later Bulbasaur helps carry the injured Mewtwo to safety. A clone Bulbasaur and clone Venusaur are among the cloned Pokémon living quietly on the mountain.
06Trading Card Game · every card
Bulbasaur in the Pokémon TCG
48 cards since 1999, oldest first. Tap any card to see it full size.
Bulbasaur was there from the very start. It was among the first Pokémon ever printed on a card, in Japan's Expansion Pack in October 1996, and it reached English players in Base Set in January 1999. That first card set the pattern: a plucky Basic Grass Pokémon with a small HP total and a modest attack, usually a seed, vine or leaf. Bulbasaur has never had an ex or V card of its own. Instead it has quietly turned up in almost every era: Erika's Bulbasaur in the Gym sets, two e-Reader cards in Expedition, a run of EX-era commons, a Build-A-Bear tie-in, film promos, contest promos, and the 2026 First Partner collection that teams it up with Charmander and Squirtle. Along the way its HP has doubled, from 40 to 80.
The art tells the story best. The early years mixed Mitsuhiro Arita's soft, rounded painting with Ken Sugimori's clean official style. Japan also had oddities, from a vending-machine sheet to a prize card made from a fan's Pokémon Snap photo. The e-Card and EX years brought in a parade of new hands, including Sachi Matoba, Atsuko Nishida and Kagemaru Himeno. In 2019 the Detective Pikachu cards went fully photorealistic with stills from the film. The modern Illustration Rare era let artists put Bulbasaur in whole scenes: Yoriyuki Ikegami's 151 card, Orca's Stellar Crown piece, and mashu's Mega Evolution panorama that joins up with Ivysaur and Mega Venusaur ex. Pokémon TCG Pocket carries that on in digital form, even bringing Sumiyoshi Kizuki's 1998 vending art back from retirement.
Cards to know
- Base Set 44/102 — Where it all began: Mitsuhiro Arita's Bulbasaur, healing itself with Leech Seed, and early prints that list its weight as 'length'.
- Gym Challenge 39/132 (Erika's Bulbasaur) — The only Bulbasaur with a Trainer's name in its title. Erika's seedling can go on an 'Errand-Running' trip to fetch you a Trainer card.
- Pokémon Snap Best Photo Contest promo (Japan) — A photo a fan took in Pokémon Snap, turned into a real card for CoroCoro's 1999 contest. It has a camera where the set symbol should be, and it's one of the rarest Bulbasaur cards there is.
- Detective Pikachu 1/18 & SM198 — Bulbasaur as a photorealistic CGI creature, taken straight from the live-action film.
- SWSH303 — Fan art made official: Julie Hang's entry took First Runner-Up (US) in the 2022 Illustration Contest.
- Mega Evolution 133/132 — mashu's Illustration Rare is one piece of a three-card panorama with the Ivysaur IR and the Mega Venusaur ex SIR.
Every English-language card
Promo cards
Japan-exclusive cards
Other regional releases
Pokémon TCG Pocket
Digital card games
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (Game Boy Color): Bulbasaur (Base Set 44 art, Mitsuhiro Arita), card B01, from the Evolution booster pack; two copies are in the Bulbasaur & Friends Deck, the starter deck Dr. Mason gives you (an Auto Deck Machine version also exists). Sprite: TCG1 B01 Bulbasaur.png (64×48).
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Bulbasaur (Intro Pack Bulbasaur Deck art, Mitsuhiro Arita), card A01, Common, in the Beginning Pokémon pack. Sprite: TCG2 A01 Bulbasaur.png (64×48).
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Bulbasaur (Vending Expansion Sheet 1 art, Sumiyoshi Kizuki), card F01, Uncommon, in the Sky Flying Pokémon pack. Sprite: TCG2 F01 Bulbasaur.png (64×48).
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Bulbasaur (Base Set 44 art, Mitsuhiro Arita), card H01, in the Team Rocket's Ambition pack. Sprite: TCG2 H01 Bulbasaur.png (64×48).
- Pokémon TCG Online / Pokémon TCG Live: no digital-exclusive Bulbasaur cards listed.
The artists behind the cards
- Ken Sugimori — 4 artworks (Erika's Bulbasaur in Gym Challenge and its CoroCoro promo, EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua, McDonald's Pokémon-e Minimum Pack)
- Mitsuhiro Arita — 3 (Base Set, Intro Pack Bulbasaur Deck, Dark Explorers)
- Sumiyoshi Kizuki — 2 (Vending Expansion Sheet 1, EX Crystal Guardians 45), plus the Vending art reused in TCG Pocket's Crimson Blaze
- MPC Film — 2 (Detective Pikachu 1/18, SM198)
- Kouki Saitou — 1 (Secret Wonders 77), reused for TCG Pocket Promo-A 023
- One artwork each: Sachi Matoba, Tomokazu Komiya, Atsuko Nishida, Hajime Kusajima, Midori Harada, Kagemaru Himeno, Naoyo Kimura, Yuka Morii, Masakazu Fukuda, Mizue, sowsow, Shibuzoh., Julie Hang, Yuu Nishida, Yoriyuki Ikegami, Orca, OKACHEKE, Saya Tsuruta, HYOGONOSUKE, mashu, Saboteri, saino misaki (China only); TCG Pocket originals by Narumi Sato, Ryota Murayama and Ryuta Fuse
07On the page & beyond
Bulbasaur in manga, books & other media
From the earliest manga to story books and songs.
In print, Bulbasaur got going before the anime did. It appears in the first chapter of Kosaku Anakubo's Pocket Monsters, published in March 1996 only weeks after Red and Green went on sale, as one of Professor Oak's three first partners. A year later Pokémon Adventures gave one to Red: Saur, the stubborn, sun-powered partner who has since become a Mega Venusaur. Ash's Bulbasaur turns up in The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Ash & Pikachu and the Journeys manga, and Magical Pokémon Journey gives the species its most romantic role as Pistachio's lovestruck partner. On the bookshelf there's Bulbasaur's Trouble, a gentle Japanese picture book translated by VIZ, and a run of Scholastic titles from Bulbasaur's Bad Day to the First Partner Handbook. It's also in the English Pokérap, it makes flowers bloom in Ed Sheeran's Celestial video, and in 2001 it even became money, on a $1 coin from Niue.
Manga
Books
Other media
More from the page
08Did you know?
Bulbasaur trivia
Name origins, design secrets and the facts that make Bulbasaur such a fan favourite.
What’s in a name?
Bulbasaur's English name is a neat two-parter: 'bulb', the rounded underground storage organ of plants such as onions and tulips, plus '-saur', the suffix from the Ancient Greek for 'lizard' that crops up in so many dinosaur names. Say it out loud and you may also hear 'bulbous' – fair enough for something carrying a giant seed on its back. Its Japanese name, Fushigidane, blends fushigi (strange, mysterious) with tane (seed), and it doubles as the everyday phrase 'Fushigi da ne?' – 'Isn't it strange?' – a cheerful shrug at the odd little creature on the very first page of the Pokédex.
Design origins
Despite the '-saur' in its name, Bulbasaur is at heart a frog – Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda have said so in interview. Its short legs, stocky body and pointed, ear-like bumps recall the chunky horned frogs (Ceratophrys) of South America, while the bulb on its back looks like a lily or an onion just waiting to sprout. Bulbasaur was designed by Atsuko Nishida, and surprisingly it was the last of its line to be drawn: according to Nishida and Sugimori, she started with Venusaur and worked backwards, basing the baby of the family directly on its grown-up form.
Names around the world
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | フシギダネ Fushigidane | From fushigi (strange, mysterious) and tane (seed), plus a pun on 'Fushigi da ne?' ('Isn't it strange?') |
| French | Bulbizarre | From bulbe (bulb) and bizarre |
| German | Bisasam | From bizarr (bizarre), Saurier (saurian) and Samen (seed) |
| Spanish | Bulbasaur | Same as the English name |
| Italian | Bulbasaur | Same as the English name |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Bulbasaur | Same as the English name (the anime dub pronounces it 'Bulbassauro') |
| Korean | 이상해씨 Isanghessi | From isanghada (to be strange) and ssi (seed) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 妙蛙種子 / 妙蛙种子 Miàowāzhǒngzǐ | From miào (wonderful), wā (frog) and zhǒngzǐ (seed) |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 妙蛙種子 Miuhwājúngjí | From miuh (wonderful), wā (frog) and júngjí (seed); pre-Gen VII media used 奇異種子 Kèihyihjúngjí ('strange seed') |
| Russian | Бульбазавр Bul'bazavr | Transcription of the English name |
| Thai | ฟุชิกิดาเนะ Fuchikidane | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Hindi | बल्बासॉर Balbāsŏr | Transcription of the English name |
| Arabic | بولباصور Bulbasaur | Transcription of the English name |
| Hebrew | בלבאזור Balbasor | Transcription of the English name |
| Bulgarian | Бълбазор Bulbazor | Phonetic transcription of the English name |
| Lithuanian | Balbazauras | From the English name |
Did you know?
- Bulbasaur may be #0001 in the National Pokédex, but inside the Generation I game code it is index number 153 – internal slot 1 belongs to Rhydon.
- Atsuko Nishida designed Bulbasaur by working backwards from Venusaur, so the first Pokémon in the Pokédex was the last of its family to be drawn.
- It is one of only two first partner Pokémon with two types from the start – the other is Rowlet.
- Its family is the only Poison-type line among all the first partner Pokémon.
- In Generation I, Bug-type moves hit Bulbasaur for 4× damage, because Bug was super effective against Poison back then.
- Its original Japanese Red and Green Pokédex entry had no English version until FireRed borrowed it in 2004.
- When The Isle of Armor brought it to Sword and Shield, Bulbasaur's line and Squirtle's were the exceptions that reused old Pokédex entries instead of getting new ones.
- Professor Oak calls Bulbasaur 'the plant Pokémon' in the original games, but in the English FireRed and LeafGreen he switches to 'the grass Pokémon'.
- In Gold and Silver Bulbasaur can know Charm as an Egg Move – yet no Pokémon in those games can legitimately pass it down.
- A slip in Sun and Moon had Bulbasaur learning Vine Whip at level 7 instead of Leech Seed; Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon put it right.
- In Black and White, an un-nicknamed Bulbasaur with its English name could not be traded on the Global Trade System, tripped up by the offensive-name filter.
- Trade a Bulbasaur from Red or Blue into Gold or Silver and it arrives holding a Bitter Berry.
- In 2001 the Pacific nation of Niue issued a commemorative $1 silver coin featuring Bulbasaur.
- The fossil dicynodont Bulbasaurus, named in 2017, sounds like a tribute – but it is not officially named after the Pokémon.
- In the original Pokémon Snap, not every Bulbasaur is what it seems – a Ditto turns up in Bulbasaur's disguise.
- Bulbasaur reached manga before television: the first chapter of Pokémon Pocket Monsters, out on 15 March 1996, offered it as a starter.
- The Brazilian Portuguese anime dub says 'Bulbassauro', even though written material keeps the English spelling.
09Quizzes, archive & further reading
More Bulbasaur
Test yourself
Professor Oak's Kanto Quiz: BeginnerProfessor Oak has a few questions before you set foot in the tall grass. How well do you know the region where it all began?Take the quiz →
Who's That Pokémon? Kanto: BeginnerIt's the classic challenge! Can you name these original 151 Pokémon from their silhouettes alone?Take the quiz →
Indigo League Anime: IntermediateGrab your cap and set off on Ash's very first adventure. How much do you remember from the Indigo League days?Take the quiz →
Mewtwo Strikes Back: BeginnerThe film that brought Pokémon to cinemas everywhere! How well do you remember Pokémon: The First Movie?Take the quiz →
Professor Sycamore's Kalos Quiz: BeginnerBonjour! Professor Sycamore would love to know how much you remember about Pokémon X and Y and the beautiful Kalos region.Take the quiz →
Pokémon General Knowledge: ExpertOnly seasoned Pokémon Masters need apply. These tough but fair questions dig into designers, glitches, evolution quirks and deep-cut trivia.Take the quiz →From the archive: Gengar’s Online Pokédex
Before this page, Pokémon Dungeon was home to Gengar’s Online Pokédex, the classic fan Pokédex for Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver & Crystal by Curtis Alumbaugh (Gengar) with Ian Alumbaugh (Haunter). Its Bulbasaur entry is preserved in full, with its original art, moves and locations.
Further reading
Pokémon and all related names, artwork, sprites, screenshots and card images are © Nintendo, Creatures Inc., GAME FREAK inc. and The Pokémon Company, used here for fan commentary. Images via the Bulbagarden Archives. Page updated 24 October 2026.