The Ultimate Guide to Tulip Care

Our Global Flower Buyer shares buying and care tips to extend the life of your new bouquet.

Orange Tulips

Cheerful, colorful tulips are happiness on a stem. Perfect for special occasions (like Mother’s Day, hint hint) or just because, these bright florals are certified mood-boosters. Check out the Floral department in your local store for fresh-cut tulip arrangements, then follow our buying and care tips from Global Flower Buyer Kate Kennedy to enjoy them at home.

How to Buy Tulips

If you’re buying tulips for Mom (or another special someone) in advance, you’ll want to make sure they stay in good condition. Follow these pointers to buy the best tulips — and keep them beautiful.

How to Care for Tulips at Home

Whether you’ve just received tulips as a gift or you’re displaying them for a special occasion, you’ll want to enjoy their cheer for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to maximize the life of your arrangement.

  • Place in water: Once your flowers are home, you’ll want to get them into water quickly.

  • Trim the stems: Before arranging your tulips, cut the stem ends on a diagonal using sharp kitchen shears. This increases the surface area, helping them to more easily absorb water and extend their life.

  • Choose the right vase: Tulips will continue to grow upward, so try to use a tall, straight vase to support their long stems. Make sure the vase is extra clean first, place your flowers, then fill with water about halfway up. It’s best to remove any leaves that fall below the water line.

  • Use fresh, cold water with no additives: All tulips need is fresh, cold water (preferably not treated by a water conditioner). Avoid adding pennies, sugar, lemon-lime soda, aspirin or bleach to the water.

  • Avoid direct sunlight: Tulips are sensitive to sunlight and can wilt easily if they’re exposed to excessive heat. Keep them at their best by placing your arrangement in a cool spot, away from bright light.

  • Check the water often: Tulips tend to be thirstier than other flowers, so keep an eye on the water level to make sure it doesn’t get too low. Also, get into the habit of changing the water daily to prevent cloudiness.

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