How to Stop Tulips Drooping

02/18/25

7-8 minutes Read

Written By Johnsons Team

There’s nothing that announces the arrival of spring quite like tulips. Their distinctive cup-shaped blooms, standing on tall, elegant stems, make perfect additions to fresh indoor arrangements. But while tulip bulbs are easy to grow, their cut flowers have a habit of drooping in the vase – and when this happens, it can make for a pretty disappointing display! If you want to keep your tulips standing upright for longer, read on. This guide will give you practical advice on how to stop tulips drooping, helping you enjoy these springtime favourites in all their glory.

Why Do Tulips Droop?

The most common cause of drooping tulips is dehydration; to stay upright in the vase, their stems need to remain moist.

During dry periods, tulips growing in beds, borders, and containers may appear limp. Similarly, cut tulips can wilt dramatically if they don’t have enough water. This effect can be worsened if they’re not properly supported in the vase.

Tulips are also phototropic, which means they grow towards light sources (even after being cut). If they don’t receive enough light, they can curve and contort themselves in an attempt to seek out sunshine, which can make them appear droopy.

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How to Prevent Cut Tulips from Drooping

By following a few simple steps, you can keep your cut tulips standing tall and looking fresh for as long as possible. Here’s how to stop tulips drooping in the vase:

1) Pick the Freshest Tulips

Fresher tulips will last longer, so look for flowers with tight, unopened buds and firm stems. For best results, grow your own tulips and cut them just before you want to display them in a vase. The best time to harvest is in the morning when the plants are hydrated and the air temperature is cool.

2) Trim Stems at an Angle

Cut tulip stems at a 45-degree angle. This creates a larger surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase. Then, trim 1-2 cm off the bottom of each stem with clean garden scissors every other day to remove dead matter and help your tulips ‘drink’.

3) Remove Leaves Below the Waterline

Before putting tulips in a vase, remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Submerged leaves can rot, leading to bacterial or fungal growth. Both bacteria and fungal infections can shorten the lifespan of your tulips and make them wilt sooner.

4) Choose the Right Vase

Tulips are top-heavy flowers, and they’ll continue growing when cut. To help keep them upright, choose a tall, straight-sided vase that covers at least half the length of the stem. A narrower vase can also provide support, but don’t pack your tulips too close together – overcrowding can damage the stems.

5) Position Your Tulips Correctly

Even after cutting, tulips require light to stay healthy. Place them in a bright position (but not in direct sunlight) and rotate the vase daily to stop them from leaning in one direction. Also, keep your tulips away from draughts, heat sources, and fruit bowls – some fruits release gases that can make flowers wilt sooner.

6) Refresh the Water Daily

Changing your tulips’ water daily is key to helping them stay hydrated. Use fresh, clean, cold water to keep the stems as firm as possible and prevent bacterial or fungal build-up. You can also add some flower food to give your tulips added nutrients.

How to Revive Droopy Tulips

Have your tulips already started to droop? If so, try these quick fixes to help revive them:

Prick the stems: Using a clean pin, carefully prick a small hole in the stem an inch below the flower head. This can help release any air bubbles that may be blocking water from reaching the bloom.
Wrap in paper: Wrap drooping tulips tightly in newspaper for a few hours while the bottom of the stems sit in water. This can help train the flowers into an upright shape as they hydrate.
Add ice: Add a few ice cubes to the vase water. The cold temperature of the water can help perk up wilting tulips.
Support with tape: Use clear flower arranging tape to create a grid across the top of your vase, placing one tulip in each ‘cell’, to help hold them up.

If cared for properly, cut tulips can last for up to 12 days in the vase. Once you notice any dying blooms, remove them straight away, as dead flowers can make the rest of the vase wilt quicker.

Grow Beautiful Tulips with Johnsons

For top-grade flower bulbs and expert growing advice, trust Johnsons. With a wide selection of tulip varieties to choose from, you’ll find the perfect blooms to add beautiful colour to your garden and indoor displays. Shop online today and start growing your own stunning spring display!