A fresh bouquet of tulips brings a little magic into your home — and keeping them happy is really easy.
All they need is a clean vase (clean enough that you'd be willing to drink out of it) with cool water, and a little attention.
Tulips are thirsty flowers — they drink a lot — so be sure to check their water every day. Top it up as needed, and change it if it starts to look cloudy.
If you like your tulips standing tall and straight, pop them into a slender taller vase that gives their stems a little support. Or trim the stems short and tuck them into shorter vase where they can lean comfortably against each other.
But one of the best things about tulips?
They’re full of life. As the days go on, their stems will grow, stretch, and bend — sometimes draping beautifully over the edge of the vase, like ballet dancers. If you love a wilder, more natural look, just let them do their thing.
And if the stems get a little too unruly?
You can easily straighten them. Re-cut the stems, wrap the flowers snugly in newspaper (think burrito - covering the blooms, but leaving the bottom of the stems bare), and stand the bundle in cool water for an hour or two. They'll find their form again.
Keep tulips out of direct sunlight, and away from ripening fruit (which gives off a gas that makes flowers age faster).
With just a little love, your tulips should stay vibrant for at least a week — and maybe even longer.
Enjoy every moment of their beautiful, ever-changing show.