How and When to Cut Tulips for Long-Lasting Bouquets

Tulips are wonderful flowers with a long and storied history. They were first cultivated between the 10th and 12th centuries. Their frequent depictions in art and other cultural artifacts tell us that they were a significant symbol during the Ottoman Empire. It was at this time that selective breeding began, and the beginning of a whole world of gorgeous and unique cultivars. 

At one time, they became so popular that the tulip trade was highly profitable business. During this time we now call ‘Tulip Mania’ a single bulb of the ‘Semper Augustus’ cultivar could fetch a small fortune. About the price of a luxury home in Amsterdam!

What is Vase Life?

I mentioned the words “vase life” above, and if you’re not familiar with them, I’m here to explain them. Based on the wording, you probably have some idea, but vase life refers to the length of time a particular flower will last in a vase after it’s removed from the plant. It’s influenced by a handful of factors, some controllable and some we have to leave up to nature. 

Factors that influence vase life include:

The Flower

Every flower has a range of times that it will last, even with ideal care. You can usually extend this time by a couple of days if you’re meticulous, but it’s going to be close to that range. Some of the plants with the longest projected vase life include orchids, proteas, and carnations. You might also notice chrysanthemums and Peruvian lilies sticking around after other flowers fade.

Flower Maturity

It’s important to know at what stage-specific flowers last longest in a vase. We’ll get back to that, but you’ll want to cut some earlier than others.

Cutting and Preparation

Clean tools are a must when dealing with any plant, and cut flowers are no exception. Having clean tools will help prevent harmful pathogens. You also do a fresh cut when you put the flowers in water to help expose fresh tissue that will absorb water more readily.

Water

Your water quality will also affect the length of your blooms’ vase life. Whether you use flower food and how often you change the water are also important. You should, and often.

Temperature and Light

If you’ve ever toured a florist shop, you know that they typically have a large refrigerator. This is where they store stems before use, and arrangements while they are waiting for pickup. They keep them cool and out of the sunlight. This applies to your flowers at home as well. Keeping them in a cool room, and out of direct sunlight will extend that vase life even more.

What Does ‘In the Bud Stage’ Mean?

When it comes to maturity, there are two stages at which you will typically cut a tulip or any flowering stem. Some need to open fully beforehand, as they won’t continue to bloom after you cut them. Dahlias are like this, as are zinnias. Sadly, this means that dahlias have a relatively brief vase life. Zinnias, on the other hand, stick around for a while. 

Most flowers last longest when cut in the bud stage, which is before the flowers bloom. Different plants are best cut at different stages within the bud stage, with some best cut when they’re closed up tight and others not until they show their color. 

You should cut ranunculi in the “marshmallow stage,” which is when the flowers just begin to open and are fluffy when you squeeze them. For daffodils and peonies, it’s good to cut when the buds aren’t open at all. 

When to Cut Your Tulips

Tulips are in the group of plants that you should harvest in the bud stage. Depending on the type, they need slightly different treatment. 

You should harvest single-petaled tulips while they are in the ‘color crack’ stage of the bud. This is when the bud is still tightly closed, but the color of the flower is clearly visible. You don’t have to wait until they are about to open.

For fancy types, like double-petaled, peony, and parrot tulips, you should wait a bit longer. Don’t wait until they are fully open; harvest when the buds have taken on their full color and are not quite open yet but close.

Always cut your flowers in the early morning or late in the evening. This is when they will be most hydrated and under the least amount of stress. 

How To Cut Tulips

As long as there is no concern about overwatering, water your plants early in the morning when you want to harvest them. Hydrated flowers go through less stress and last longer. Give them an hour to soak up that water, and then head out with a jar of water and some sharp, clean scissors.

Clean tools are paramount. I like to use sharp scissors to cut tulips and other flowers with hollow or tender stems. They’re a bit gentler on those stems. You can also use a sharp knife, but it’s a little more complicated. It does make a nice cut if you do it properly. I also prefer to bring a jar or pitcher of water with me so that I can place them directly in the water. 

Snip your stems close to the base, just above the white area. Make your cuts on an angle. This creates more surface area to absorb water. This is an important step in making them last. You want to keep them as hydrated as possible. Pop them in the water as soon as possible. 

Once you get them indoors, fill your vase with clean, fresh water, and optionally add flower food. Remove any leaves that will lie below the water level. Prepare your stems by making a fresh cut just above the first one at an angle.

Put your stems back in the fresh water as soon as possible, and set them in a spot where they aren’t in direct sunlight. A cool room is best, but they will be fine at most room temperatures. 

Because of their hollow stems, your tulips will take in a lot of water in the first 24 hours. Make sure you replenish the water the next day. Ideally, you should give them fresh water and make a clean cut daily. However, this is usually too much work for me, so I change the water every two to three days and give a fresh cut then. Don’t let them dry out; that will shorten their lives a lot. 

You can expect your tulips to open fully in two or three days. If you’ve prepared and cared for them by the book, they typically have a vase life of about 10 days. If you take extra good care, they may last a day or two longer. 

Popular Varieties for Cutting Gardens

Here are some cultivars that are great for your beautiful floral arrangements.

‘Apricot Impression’

	botanical name Tulipa ‘Apricot Impression’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20”-24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Apricot Impression’ is a Darwin tulip that blooms in mid to late spring. It has shimmery apricot-colored flowers. The Darwin hybrids have long stems that are perfect for floral arrangements. They have egg-shaped, single, large blooms and are great for naturalizing.

‘Marilyn’

	botanical name Tulipa ‘Marilyn’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Marilyn’ is a striking bicolor lily tulip. These mid- to late-spring bloomers are also known for their long stems. Lily-flowered tulips have pointed petals that resemble those of a lily. This cultivar has white petals with crimson streaks down the center.

‘Green Wave’

	botanical name Tulipa ‘Green Wave’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20”-24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Parrot tulips are tall with long stems, and they have spectacular blooms. ‘Green Wave’ is one of the prettiest, in my opinion. The twisting, feathery petals are green in the center, with a pale yellow border, and flashy, bright pink around the edges. 

‘Blushing Beauty’

	botanical name Tulipa ‘Blushing Beauty’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 28”-30”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Blushing Beauty’ is a single-late cultivar, which tends to be some of the tallest. It’s a distinctive and eye-catching variety in a wonderful combination of gold petals with salmon-colored streaks and veins. This is an elegant tulip with long, strong stems!