Bulbasaur is a small, quadrupedal Pokémon with blue-green skin and darker patches. It has red eyes with white pupils and pointed, ear-like structures on its head. Its most distinctive feature is the large plant bulb on its back, which is present from birth. This bulb grows larger as Bulbasaur matures, providing it with energy through photosynthesis and storing nutrient-rich seeds.
As the first Pokémon in the National Pokédex, Bulbasaur holds a special place in Pokémon lore. It's one of the three starter Pokémon available in the Kanto region, alongside Charmander and Squirtle. Bulbasaur is known for its loyalty and nurturing nature, sometimes even using its vines to rock younger Pokémon to sleep.
Bulbasaur's dual Grass/Poison typing gives it unique advantages and vulnerabilities in battle. It's particularly effective against Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon, making it a solid choice for the early Kanto gyms. However, this typing also leaves it weak to Psychic, Flying, Fire, and Ice-type moves.
Pokédex Data
- Category: Seed Pokémon
- Type: Grass/Poison
- Height: 0.7 m (2'04")
- Weight: 6.9 kg (15.2 lbs)
- Abilities: Overgrow (Normal), Chlorophyll (Hidden)
Breeding
- Egg Groups: Monster, Grass
- Gender Ratio: 87.5% Male, 12.5% Female
- Egg Cycles: 20 (5,120 - 5,376 steps)
Pokédex Entries Across Versions
- Red/Blue: "A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon."
- Yellow: "It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy."
- Gold: "The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows."
- Ruby/Sapphire: "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."
Evolutions
Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur at level 16, which then evolves into Venusaur at level 32.
Habits and Additions Across Generations
Bulbasaur is known to nap in bright sunlight to strengthen its bulb. In later generations, it was revealed that Bulbasaur gather annually in a hidden garden in Kanto to evolve into Ivysaur in a ceremony led by a Venusaur. The Pokémon Sleep Style Dex mentions that Bulbasaur is known to sleep in sunny spots. In recent games, Bulbasaur has been given the ability to Gigantamax, dramatically increasing the size of its flower in battle.