Tulips are the ultimate showstoppers of the spring garden. But hey, even if you don’t have a backyard or a balcony to call your own, you don’t have to miss out on these beauties. During tulip season, shops are packed with gorgeous bouquets that—if you treat them right—can stay fresh and vibrant in a vase for days on end.
Tulips in the Vase
As a cut flower, the tulip is actually a bit more high-maintenance than its cousins growing out in the dirt. If you want to keep them from drooping after just a couple of days, you’ve got to know the tricks of the trade. First tip: when you’re shopping, look for tulips with closed heads that are just starting to show their color at the edges. A pro trick? Give the stems a gentle squeeze—if they make a little squeaking sound, you know they’re fresh!
Once you get them home, find a spot for your bouquet that’s out of direct sunlight and away from drafty windows or heaters. Too much heat will make them wilt before you know it. Also, here’s a big “no-no”: never mix tulips with daffodils in the same vase. Daffodils secrete a sticky sap from their stems that clogs up the tulip’s “plumbing,” preventing them from drinking water.
Trimming Your Tulips
Before you drop those stems into water, you need to give them a fresh trim to ensure a long life. Here’s how to do it right:
- Start by cutting off the white, woody base of the stem with a sharp knife.
- Trim about another half-inch off the stem. Always use a sharp blade—scissors tend to crush the stems, which makes it harder for the flower to hydrate.
- Cut at an angle; this increases the surface area so the tulip can drink more efficiently.
- Finally, strip away any excess leaves. You want the plant’s energy going to the bloom, not the foliage.
Ongoing Care
Tulips are thirsty guests! They drink a lot of water, so you’ll want to check the vase daily and top it off with fresh, cold water. If you notice the bottom of the stems starting to look a bit discolored or slimy, just give them another quick trim until you hit healthy tissue again.
When it comes to picking the right vase, go for something relatively tall with a wide opening and a heavy base so it won’t tip over. Tall walls help support the stems as the flower heads get heavier and fully open up. I personally love using glass vases—it makes it super easy to keep an eye on the water level so your tulips never go thirsty!
