Tricks for Droopy Tulip Stems

If you love tulips like me then it always makes you a bit sad when you see their graceful stems drooping in a vase.

Why Tulips Can Droop (The Quick Version)

Your tulips might be drooping for various reasons: dehydration, stem blockages, too much water, or breeding/challenges during growth. Instead of diagnosing the specific issue, let's focus on solutions that work regardless of the cause.

Prevention Basics 

• Clean Vase - A quick wash removes bacteria that can block stems

• Fresh Cut - Trim stems at an angle just before arranging

• Shallow Water - Use only 2" of water (Dutch florists swear tulips drink too much if given the chance, causing them to grow in the vase and droop faster) (yes, I said ‘grow’ - tulips grow in the vase!)

  
  

Rescue Solutions for Droopy Tulip Stems

Here's my review of the top 'tricks' for droopy tulip stems!

Best Solution:  The Wet Newspaper Trick

Why it supposedly works: This trick aims to address droopy stems from lack of hydration. Wrapping your stems in wet newspaper for a few hours helps them hydrate from the outside in. 

The results - I was shocked to find that this trick worked when I put my stems in wet paper in a vase overnight. Three days later the blooms were still standing up in their vase.

Check out my videos here: 

Mixed Reviews - The Needle Trick

Why it supposedly works: This trick is based on the theory that air gets trapped in the tulip stem, which blocks water flow. Poking a hole through the top of the stem allows an escape valve for this trapped air, which makes it easier for the whole stem to hydrate. 

The results: I have had mixed results with this trick. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, the way you do this is by sticking a needle all the way through the stem. Let me know if it works for you!

Skip This: Put Pennies in the Vase

Why it supposedly works: Pennies are made of copper, which is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Copper supposedly kills any bacterial or fungal buildup in your stems. There are even people who say that pennies from before 1982 work better since they have a higher copper content!

The results: I’ve never found this hack to work - a clean cut and fresh water seems to be the best way to keep water flowing up your stems. But hey, it never hurts to try!

Bonus Solution: Spread the Joy

I'll be honest - this is my favorite solution.

Instead of fussing with different tricks, I prefer to make lemonade out of lemons and spread those blooms throughout my home.

I cut the stems down and put them in little bud vases in my bathrooms, bedroom and on my coffee table and bookshelves - all spots that make me smile when I see flowers where I don't expect to.

Bonus: Bud vases are super fun to thrift for!

Check out my video below:

Bottom Line 

When you bring your tulips home, take just one minute for proper trimming and arranging in minimal water. If they still droop, the newspaper trick is your most reliable solution with minimal effort required.

Whether you try to get your stems to stand up or make bud vases, I hope this post helped you make the most of your spring blooms!

Share this with a fellow tulip lover and let me know if you’ve tried any of these tricks yourself in the comments.

Happy tulip season,