How to arrange tulips (it’s easier than you think!) Learn how to create a beautiful tulip arrangement with grocery store flowers and without any effort!
Maybe it’s because it’s been cold and gloomy, but I’m ready for a little refresh. It’s time to bring in fresh flowers that just might inspire spring to come.
This time of year, tulips are plentiful in stores, and often inexpensive, too. I take advantage by incorporating them into our home, making it feel fresh and sometimes, colorful. Do you have an empty tulip vase tucked away, just waiting for the perfect blooms?
Today, I’m teaching you how to arrange tulips. They’re a favorite of mine for a number of reasons, including that my mom’s garden was full of them, but also because they are foolproof to arrange.
Yes, you read that right! I used to fuss and fight with tulips, frustrated with their leaves and the mess they’d become when I’d attempt to arrange them.
One day, my friend Erin (who inspires a lot of the florals here) told me a secret.
You don’t arrange them. To create a beautiful tulip arrangement, you put tulips in a vase and they will go where they want to. You don’t need a special tulip vase, you just need a simple vessel that will showcase their simplicity!
At first, I was shocked, but I thought about how tulips tend to look more beautiful with every day that passes and I realized what I already knew – she was right. She’s always right. You don’t arrange tulips.
So, what do you do?
You place them in a vase. You can see how to make a tulip arrangement in the videos below.
But first…
How to create a tulip arrangement that will last:
- Choose the freshest tulips you can find. Ideally, when you choose them, they should be mostly closed and the edges of the blossoms should be opaque – not thin or transparent.
- Rinse tulip stems with cold water to remove any dirt that is trapped in the leaves.
- Trim the stems of your tulips 1″ or more using sharp shears. {Note: I tend to leave 6-8″ above the vase for tulip only arrangements} Remember, you can always go shorter, but never longer.
- Remove any excess leaves.
- Fill a vase with cool water.
- Place your tulips in the vase.
How to stop drooping:
Using sharp shears or a knife to avoid crushing the stem, cut 1″+ off the stem, remove any excess leaves and replace with water with cool, fresh water.
Why do tulips droop?
Their long stems are soft and weak, therefore can’t support the heavy bud. Embrace this as it’s what makes tulips prettier each day!
If your tulip arrangement feels a bit “stiff” don’t worry, they’ll start to relax in just a few hours!
The Best Tulip Vase
Of course you can always buy a stunning, traditional tulipiere- these pottery pieces are such a great way to display individual blooms. No arranging required at all!
However, in the interest of simplicity and time-saving reality, I like to keep a collection of simple vases stashed away in my kitchen for my fresh tulips. Grabbing a bundle or two at the grocery store is my weekly treat, and I love having flexible vases that will showcase my tulips beautifully! The key is to use a wide enough opening, with a deep enough shape to support the weight of the stems.
A few options you might enjoy:
- This simple cylinder
- A wider cylinder to showcase 2 or more bunches
- This footed vase
Get my list and tips of where to buy flowers here and everything you need to know about Trader Joe’s Flowers here!
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Great sharing Juile,
Love the awesome idea to arrange Tulips.
If you put a penny in the vase they won’t droop quite as much.
I’ve heard that but also read there’s no evidence to support it. Have you tried it?
Thank you! Always have great tutorials!
Thanks, Odalis! Glad you enjoy them!
Use 4-7 pennies. Works every time!
IF you keep buying fresh tulips, after about 3 soakings in tulips you will need to replace these pennies and begin with another group of pennies. Don’t know why or how. Don’t ask questions.
Just enjoy!!!!!!!!
Continue to change the water after a few days (using original pennies STILL) and shorten your stems. ENJOY!
PS do not re use pennies in tulips, spend them on more tulips.
Absolutely love this!!! Did you get your tulips at Trader Joe’s or a florist? Are they long stems?
I always purchase at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, typically the stems are of decent length. Enjoy!
Julie I love your vase!!! Where from?!
Target! They’re near the candles, enjoy!
Hi Julie. Thank you for your simple and lovely arranging ideas. I love flowers and tulips sometimes frustrated me however I recently learned that they “grow” after they are cut. That helped me understand why they can get unruly after a few days. Now I just recut and continues to enjoy. Thanks again for sharing your uncluttered home. It’s inspiring
Such an excellent point, Penni! Thanks for sharing!