PetalPal
Toxic to cats and dogs (especially the bulb). Keep them where pets can't reach.
Light
Out of direct sun. Light makes them bend toward it.
Water
Shallow water, changed every day
Temperature
The cooler the better, 5-15°C
Preservative
Not needed
Do this when you get home
- Cut the stems on a slant, 1-2 cm
- Use cold water, only 5-10 cm deep. Too deep and the stems go soft and rot.
- If the stems are very soft, roll them straight in newspaper and soak for 1 hour
Day to day
- Change to fresh cold water every day. Ice cubes are fine.
- Turn the vase now and then so they don't keep bending toward the light
- Don't share a vase with daffodils. The sap from a cut daffodil hurts tulips.
What the colors mean
- Red tulipA declaration of love, a warm love
- Pink tulipSomething lovely, happiness, tenderness
- White tulipA pure heart, purity
- Yellow tulipCheerful, noble (some say "a hopeless love" — be careful if you're confessing)
- Purple tulipA noble love, a love without end
* Color meanings are popular sayings. The thought matters more.
Common questions
Why do they get taller and bend in the vase?
Tulips keep growing after they're cut, and they bend toward the light. That's normal. A lot of people like that loose, natural look.
They open by day and close at night?
That's normal. Tulips react to temperature and light. If they open very wide, the room is too warm.
