Tulips are cheerful, elegant, and surprisingly easy to care for. One thing to know upfront: tulips are living flowers that continue to grow even after they're cut, so don't be surprised if they stretch and reach toward the light. That's just their nature, and it's part of their charm!

Like all of our flowers, tulips are not ready to display the moment they arrive. They need a little time to hydrate and open up after their journey. Get them into fresh water right away and let them do their thing.

What You'll Need

• A clean vase
• Fresh, cool water
• Floral preservative (optional)
• Sharp scissors or floral shears
• A straight pin (optional but fun!)

Step-by-Step Care Instructions

1. Unpack promptly. Remove your tulips from the packaging as soon as they arrive and let them breathe.
2. Trim the stems. Cut 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Tulips drink a lot of water, so a fresh cut is important.
3. Use cool water. Fill your vase with cool, clean water. Tulips prefer cooler temperatures, which also helps them last longer. Avoid warm water.
4. Keep the vase shallow. Tulips do well with just a few inches of water rather than a full vase. This helps prevent the stems from getting soft at the base.
5. Remove lower leaves. Strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline to keep the water fresh.
6. Change the water daily. Tulips are thirsty! Fresh water every day (or every other day at minimum) keeps them happy and hydrated.
7. Choose a cool spot. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heat vents, and ripening fruit. A cool room will significantly extend their vase life.

Pro Tips

• They'll keep growing: Tulips can grow an inch or more after being cut. If they start leaning, simply rotate the vase or re-trim the stems to straighten them up.
• They reach for the light: Tulips are phototropic, meaning they naturally grow and bend toward light sources even after they're cut. If your tulips are leaning toward a window, that's them doing exactly what nature intended! Rotate the vase regularly to keep them growing more evenly.
• Penny trick: Some people swear by dropping a copper penny into the vase water to help keep tulips upright. Give it a try!

Florist Secret

Try the pin trick! Take a straight pin and poke it through the stem just below the bloom. This tiny hole releases air bubbles trapped inside the stem, allowing water to travel up more freely. It's a simple little move that can make a real difference in keeping your tulips standing tall and drinking well. Florists have been doing this for years!

How Long Will They Last?

With proper care, fresh cut tulips typically last 5 to 7 days in a vase. Keeping them cool and changing the water regularly is the key to getting the most out of every stem.