A variety of vibrant flowers can evoke feelings of spring, but this is perhaps even more so with tulips (Tulipa spp.). While originally native to central Asia, tulips are now popular bulbs across the U.S., especially during the spring months where they are often used for decorations and bouquets for everything from weddings to spring-time holidays to just because. When creating a tulip bouquet, you might be interested in adding other flowers from your garden, or even from a store. While this is certainly an option, you should specifically avoid placing daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) with your tulips due to the harm they can cause within the first 24 hours of cutting.

Daffodils have increased in popularity since the late nineteenth century. Since then, homeowners have frequently used clever tips and tricks for growing daffodils in order to successfully plant these ornamentals in their gardens. Despite their ubiquity, you should take extra care when cutting daffodils for a bouquet. Freshly cut daffodils have alkaloid components that emit a sap that is toxic to tulips. For this reason, do not place daffodils with other cut flowers within the first day of them being cut. Once cut daffodils sit in a bucket or vase of water for at least 24 hours, you can combine them with other flowers like tulips, but they will still likely shorten the lifespan of the other flowers in your arrangement. Also, be sure not to recut your daffodil stems, as this can restart the toxin emission process and further damage your other flowers.

If you place both tulips and daffodils together right after cutting them, you will likely see signs of stress in tulips, such as yellowing and premature wilting. However, separating tulips and daffodils within the first 24 hours of cutting them is not the only tip you need to create a healthy tulip bouquet. Aside from everything you need to know before planting tulips, you should also know what to do after cutting them. First, if you cut fresh tulips from your own garden, only do so when the buds of the flowers are still closed, but after they are almost completely colored. This will help ensure the flowers will have a chance to bloom while in a vase, but are not past the point of harvesting where they might wilt prematurely. Whether you use freshly cut tulips or store-bought versions, make sure you place your flowers in a vase or bucket of cool water with a preservative as soon as possible.

Once cut, tulips may last for up to one week. During this time, their stems may continue to grow longer for a few days, so you may need to re-cut them accordingly so they can maintain the correct height in accordance with the rest of your bouquet or arrangement. You can also consider other tricks to keep your bouquet standing up straight if your tulip’s stems bend.