Now That You've Planted Tulips: What to Do in Spring for Cut Flower Success

You did it! The tulips are in the ground, and spring is starting to show its colors. Whether you planted your bulbs last fall or just watched them poke through recently, there's something magical about tulips rising through cold soil—full of promise and quiet beauty.

But if you're planning to grow tulips as cut flowers, there's one thing you need to know:

Tulips aren’t like daffodils.
If you want strong stems and beautiful blooms next year, you won’t be leaving those bulbs in the ground.

💐 Why Tulip Growers Pull Their Bulbs

Most home gardeners are told to plant bulbs once and enjoy the show year after year. And while that’s true for many spring flowers, tulips are different—especially when you’re growing them for cutting.

In the cut flower world, tulip growers pull the entire plant—bulb and all—at harvest time. Why? Because tulips are at their best that first year. After blooming once, their energy and performance drop off dramatically.

That means if you're dreaming of armfuls of tall, strong, florist-worthy tulips next year, it's best to treat them as annuals and start fresh each season.

✂️ When to Cut Tulips for the Vase

Timing is everything. If you want long vase life and graceful blooms that open beautifully indoors, here’s what to watch for:

• Harvest when the tulip is in the “color stage.” That means the bud has fully formed and you can see the color of the flower, but it hasn’t opened yet.

• Cut early in the morning or on a cool day for best freshness.

• For longest vase life, pull the entire plant up—bulb included—especially if you’re not planning to replant that bulb again.

• If you don’t want to disturb the soil, you can cut at the base of the stem—but know the bulb is unlikely to give you another strong flower next year.

🌿 What to Do After Cutting

If you pulled the entire plant:

• Snip off the bulb and compost it if you’re not reusing it.

• Place stems in cool water immediately.

• Let them rest upright in a bucket or vase for a few hours before arranging—this helps the tulips firm up and straighten.

If you left bulbs in the ground:

• Don’t expect much from them next year if they were cut for a bouquet.

• If you want to experiment, you can leave them, but we recommend replanting fresh bulbs each fall for consistent quality.

🌸 Our Take: Let Tulips Be a Seasonal Luxury

At Bloomstead, we love tulips for their fleeting joy. They’re a perfect reminder that some of the most beautiful things in life aren’t meant to last forever—and that’s what makes them so special.

So treat yourself to fresh tulips each spring. Cut them. Enjoy them. And let them go. There’s something beautifully satisfying about embracing that cycle.

🌷 Bonus Tip:

Want even longer vase life? Don’t mix tulips with daffodils in the same vase. Daffodils release a sap that shortens the life of other flowers unless conditioned separately first.

→ Curious about growing more cut flowers?
We’ll be sharing tips soon on how to grow showstopping dahlias, harvesting zinnias, and creating bouquets that tell a story.

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