How to Care for Fresh Cut Tulips

Co-authored by Denise Porcaro Tupper

Last Updated: August 23, 2022 References Approved

Nothing says "spring" like an arrangement of bright, gorgeous tulips fresh from the garden or flower shop. Tulips are sturdy flowers that can last up to 10 days after cutting if you know how to care for them correctly. Choose fresh blooms to begin with is key, and you can prolong their beauty by displaying them in the right place and giving them plenty of water. See Step 1 for tricks you can use to create a long-lasting tulip arrangement.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Tulips for Display

1
Choose young tulips. When you're at the flower shop, you might be tempted to buy the tulips with fully-opened, vibrantly colored petals. This would be a fine choice if your tulips were meant to "wow" for a one-night occasion, but if you want them to last a long time, choose tulips that are still tightly closed, with some green buds that aren't fully colored yet.^{[1]
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Research source} The flowers will open over the course of a few days, giving you more time to enjoy them.
- If you're cutting your own tulips and you want them to last as long as possible in a vase, cut them before they're fully opened. Cut as close as possible to the ground.
2
Wrap the stems in wet cloth or paper towels.^{[2]
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Research source} When you bring the tulips home from the shop, keep them wrapped in paper towels or a washcloth soaked in fresh water. This will ensure that the tulips don't start prematurely drying out on the way home. Do this even if the distance from the flower shop to your house isn't very far. Any time out of water will cause the tulips to age faster.

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3
Cut ¹⁄₄ inch (0.6 cm) from the base of the stems.^{[3]
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Research source} Use a small pair of clippers and cut the stems at an angle.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Denise Porcaro Tupper
Floral Design Expert
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.} This will help them readily soak up water from the vase.
4
Remove extra leaves from the base of the stems. If the stems have any leaves that would be submerged in water when you put them in the vase, remove them.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Denise Porcaro Tupper
Floral Design Expert
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.} The leaves could start rotting and cause the flowers to go limp before their time.^{[6]
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Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Displaying the Tulips

1
Choose a suitable vase. Pick a vase that will rise up to cover at least half the height of the tulips you've brought home.^{[7]
X
Research source} They'll be able to lean against the vase without bending over. If you use a shorter vase, the flowers will eventually bend forward. This is an effect some people like, but it may cause the flowers to die more quickly.
2
Wash the vase. Make sure it doesn't have sediment leftover from your last bouquet. Use soap and warm water to wash it thoroughly, then dry it completely with a towel. This way your fresh tulips won't pick up bacteria that could case them to start rotting more quickly.
3
Fill the vase with cold water. Cold water will keep the stems fresh and crisp, while warm or hot water would cause them to become weak and soggy.^{[8]
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Research source}
4
Position the stems around the vase. Arrange the tulips so that they each have a little space in the vase, rather than leaning them all on top of one another. Giving them each a little room will prevent them from crushing one another, which will lead to premature petal drop-page and shorten the lifespan of your flowers.
- You can choose short or tall tulips depending on the arrangement you plan to make.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Denise Porcaro Tupper
  Floral Design Expert
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
5
Keep the vase filled with fresh water. Tulips drink up a lot of water. Make sure it never completely runs out, or they'll begin to wilt very quickly.
6
Add some flower food. The addition of flower food, or flower preservative, which is available at flower shops, will greatly lengthen your flowers' lifespan. Read the directions and sprinkle in some food when you add water. It'll keep your tulips standing tall and looking perky for as long as possible.
- You can try putting lemon juice, pennies, and other such materials in the vase with the flowers. Some say these tricks work, but research shows that flower food is much more effective.^{[10]
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  Research source}
7
Don't style tulips with flowers in the Narcissus family. Daffodils and other flowers in this family exude a substance that causes flowers to fade faster. Tulips work best in a vase all by themselves.^{[11]
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Research source}
8
Keep the vase out of the sun. Place it in an area that doesn't get too hot and sunny. Otherwise, the tulips will wilt in the heat.

Expert Q&A

Question

Do you cut tulips diagonally?

Denise Porcaro Tupper
Floral Design Expert
Denise Porcaro Tupper is a Floral Design Expert, as well as the Founder & Owner of Flower Girl NYC. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she specializes in curating lush, whimsical bouquets, large dramatic installations, and everything in between. Denise has worked with notable clientele including Vogue, Chanel, Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs, and has also had numerous collaborations with companies such as Liberty of London, Gap, and Coach.

Denise Porcaro Tupper

Floral Design Expert

Expert Answer

A slanted angle is preferred but, depending on what you're working with, it is not necessary. The idea behind the slanted cut is that you'll give the stem more surface area to be able to soak up more water.
Question

What are the most beautiful tulips?

Denise Porcaro Tupper
Floral Design Expert
Denise Porcaro Tupper is a Floral Design Expert, as well as the Founder & Owner of Flower Girl NYC. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she specializes in curating lush, whimsical bouquets, large dramatic installations, and everything in between. Denise has worked with notable clientele including Vogue, Chanel, Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs, and has also had numerous collaborations with companies such as Liberty of London, Gap, and Coach.

Denise Porcaro Tupper

Floral Design Expert

Expert Answer

Well, they are all beautiful. The choice usually boils down to personal preference or the kind of arrangement you want to make. If you're doing a low lush arrangement, then I would stay with the shorter tulips, whereas if you want something more wild and free, then go for something like a french tulip.
Question

Will my tulips last longer if I place them in the fridge overnight?

Community Answer

Yes, this works for most flowers, tulips included. If you don't have enough room in your fridge, you can just take the vase to the coolest part of your house. For example, place tulips in the hall, right in front of the front door, if it's the coolest there. If it's not below freezing point outside, you can also just keep the tulips on the balcony or porch overnight.

Warnings

Do not place tulips in the same vase with daffodils or in the water in which daffodils have set.

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Adding aspirin, lemon juice, pennies, soda and other mixtures to the water is only a myth for extending the life of cut tulips.

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After cutting the tulip stem under water, do not allow the stem to dry off before replacing it into the vase or decorative container.

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