Tulips are stunning and hugely popular for their gorgeous flowers. But they can be notoriously tricky to keep looking fresh once cut.
So growing and caring for them in a vase is a real challenge. Thankfully with no more than a little knowledge and some simple steps you can enjoy how beautiful they are for longer.
This guide will show you how to care for tulips in a vase and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Preparing Your Tulips
Conditioning Your Flowers
When you bring your tulips home they need to be looked after and treated right to help them recover from their journey. That’s condition. And it’s important to make sure they fresh and upright.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Unwrap and Lay Flat: Remove the tulips from their packaging and lay them flat on a clean surface. This will stop the steps bending or getting damaged.
2. Remove Lower Leaves: Take off any of the leaves that would be below the waterline. If any of the leaves get submerged in water they will rot and this can lead to bacteria that shortens the life of your tulips.
3. Hydrate Thoroughly: Put your tulips a large bucket of cold for at least 4 hours. This lets the stems take up lots of water and this will make them firm and unlikely to droop. If you want to go a bit further and support them even more then leaves the stems wrapped in paper while they hydrate.
Trimming the Stems
You’ll want to cut the stems properly to help them absorbed water. It’s simple though, so don’t worry:
Use a Sharp Knife: A clean, sharp knife or scissors will give you a clean cut. Being clean will help the tulip absorb water better.
45 Degree Angle Cut: Trim the stems at a 45 degree angle. This is so that surface area that the water gets taken up from is large. It also stops the stems from resting flat against the broom of the vase as this too can affect how well it absorbs water.
Choosing the Right Vase
Size and Shape
The vase you choose is probably more important than you realize. It will play a big role in in how well your tulips stand up and how long they last. So choosing the right one is a big deal. These tips will help you make the best choice:
Narrow or Tapered Neck: A vase with a narrow or tapered neck gives your tulip a stems the support it needs and will keep them upright.
Height Consideration: You want your vase to be about half the height of your tulip stems. This should give them enough support and let the flowers spread out.
Cleanliness
A clean vase stops bacteria from building up and doing damage to your tulips. It’s very easy to clean yours:
Wash Thoroughly: Clean your vase with dish soap and warm water. Make sure you scrub away any dregs left over.
Rinse Well: You don’t want any soap remaining in the vase as it can harm the flowers.
Fresh Water: Fill the vase about a third full with fresh, cold water.
Arranging Your Tulips
Basic Arrangement Steps
1. Start with Fresh Water: Fill your vase with fresh, cold water. You can add floral preservatives if you have any. Be sure to the follow the instructions on the packaging.
2. Trim the Stems: Recut the stems at a 45 degree angle before you put them in the vase. This, as we went through above, helps them take up the most amount of water.
3. Arrange the Flowers: Put the tulips in the vase and arrange them however you like. You can mix them with other spring flowers like irises, statice, daffodils or hyacinths as it will bring some variety to your base and they all look beautiful together.
Creative Arrangements
Tulips and Irises: Thye have contrasting colors and shapes which makes a lovely and lively arrangement.
Tulips and Statice: Having different textures really complements each other well.
Tulips and Hyacinths: The scent from hyacinths can add an extra element to an arrangement.
Tulips and Roses: This one gives a romantic vibe. Go for bold colours or soft pastels.
Maintaining Your Tulip Arrangement
Water Changes and Recutting Stems
A quick water change and recutting the stems will keep your tulips fresh:
Change the Water: Replace the water every two days or you could get bacteria growing. Each time you change the water rinse the vase thoroughly to get rid of anything nasty.
Recut the Stems: Every time you change the water trim about a quarter of an inch off the stems at a 45 degree angle. They will then a spend more water and stay fresh for even longer.
Temperature and Light
Tulips do best in the cooler weather. So do everything you can to keep them cool and to manage the amount of light they get.
Cool Locations: Keep your case of tulips in a cool room away from the direct sun and heat. Leave them in warmer conditions and they will fade quickly.
Rotate the Vase: Tulips are photographic, meaning huge grow towards the light. So it’s important that you on a daily basis so they grow evenly and you stop the flowers from learning in one direction too much.
Extra Tips
1. Copper Coin Trick: Adding a copper penny (pre 1982 for higher copper content) to the water can actually lower the amount of bacterial growth. This keeps the water cleaner and the flowers fresher.
2. Supporting Stems: If your tulips start to droop tightly wrap them in newspaper and place them in water for a few hours. This will help them to get back to growing upright.
3. Avoid Ethylene Gas: Don’t let your tulips get anywhere near fruit and vegetables that release ethylene gas as it can cause the tulips to age fat more quickly than they would.
Common Issues and Solutions
Drooping Tulips
Tulips often droop but that doesn’t mean they can’t be saved or brought back to their former glory.
Recut Stems: Trim the stems under running water to remove any blockages. It will also help them to take up more water.
Change Water: Replace their current water with fresh and cold water. You can also add floral preservatives if you want.
Newspaper Trick: As mentioned earlier you can wrap your tulips in newspaper and put them in water for a few hours which will help them to stand upright again.
Cloudy Water
Cloudy water is a sign of bacteria growing. This can do some serious damage to your tulips.
Immediate Water Change: Change the water immediately if it becomes cloudy.
Clean Vase Thoroughly: Rinse the vase well and then refill it with fresh water.
Use Preservatives: Using floral preservatives can help with keeping the water clean as well as make your tulips live for longer.
FAQs
How Long Do Tulips Last in a Vase?
With proper care tulips can last for between 5 to 10 days in a vase. Although it does depend on how fresh the flowers are and how well you care for them.
Can I Use Flower Food with Tulips?
Yes, a commercial flower food will help with keeping tulips alive for longer. They usually contain the nutrients tulips need and antibacterial properties that will also help with lifespan.
Should I Keep My Tulips in a Dark Room?
Keeping tulips in a dark room overnight can help them stand up straight for special occasions.
Final Thoughts
Caring for tulips in a vase isn’t particularly difficult but does take a bit of effort. You get some beautiful flowers that are completely worth it. Just start with fresh, clean water, trim the stems regularly and keep the flowers in a cool, shaded spot and you shouldn’t have any problems.
