Flower Encyclopedia
Tulip
Tulipa spp.
Spring's defining flower — clean lines, saturated color, and a stem that keeps moving after it is cut.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
At A Glance
Typical vase life
5–8 days
Availability
Seasonal
Peak months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Cost
Budget-friendly
Fragrance
Little to none
Pollen
Low
Care
Easy
Out of water
Under 2 hours
Heat tolerance
Low
Cold tolerance
High
Outdoor events
Fair
Around pets
Use caution
Pets in the house? Use caution.
Tulips deserve caution in homes with cats or dogs — the bulb is the most concerning part, but chewing on stems, leaves, or petals can also cause drooling or stomach upset. Keep arrangements out of reach, and contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service if a pet chews on them.
What It Means
Tulips stand for perfect love and fresh starts, with each color adding its own note: red for love declared, yellow for cheerful friendship, white for forgiveness, purple for admiration. Because they read as unfussy and sincere, they suit moments where grand gestures would feel wrong.
Colors it comes in
red · pink · white · yellow · orange · purple · apricot · near-black
Coordinates beautifully with
fresh greens · white · butter yellow · lilac
Season & Sourcing
The US cut-tulip season runs roughly November through May, peaking in late winter and spring. Outside that window supply is limited and varieties narrow — a florist can suggest substitutes with the same fresh, clean look.
Vase life, honestly
Tulips are short-and-sweet by nature. They also keep growing an inch or more in the vase and bend toward light, so the arrangement you set down will rearrange itself slightly by morning — most people consider that part of the charm.
Fragrance
Most cut tulips carry little to no scent, which makes them a considerate pick for dinner tables, offices, and scent-sensitive recipients.
Keeping It Alive
- 1Recut stems straight across and get them into cold water quickly — tulips are thirsty.
- 2Use a tall vase that supports the top third of the stems; tulips continue growing and curving.
- 3Keep them cool and out of direct sun to slow opening.
- 4Top off the water daily; tulips drink faster than most flowers.
- 5To straighten curved stems, wrap the bunch snugly in paper and rest it in cold water for two hours.
What it costs: In season, tulips deliver more visual impact per stem than almost anything else in the cooler. Specialty types — parrot, fringed, double peony tulips — step up toward the moderate range.
Where It Shines
At weddings
A natural fit for late-winter and spring weddings — clean hand-tied bouquets, low centerpieces, and modern single-variety arrangements. French tulips bring longer stems and larger heads for a more dramatic line.
In sympathy work
White and soft pastel tulips read as gentle and hopeful in sympathy vases, particularly for spring services. Their simplicity suits arrangements sent to the home.
Every day
One of the best value gestures in the flower shop: a full bunch of tulips in a single saturated color looks intentional and generous without a designer price.
Can't Get It? Try
A Little History
Tulips arrived in Western Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s and set off 'tulip mania' in 1630s Holland, when single bulbs briefly traded for the price of a house. The Netherlands still anchors the world tulip trade today.
Questions People Ask
Why do tulips keep growing in the vase?
Tulip stems continue elongating for a day or two after cutting and curve toward light as they grow. Rotating the vase daily keeps the shape balanced, and a taller vase keeps the stems supported.
When are tulips in season?
Cut tulips are generally available November through May in the US, with the best variety and value in late winter and spring. Outside those months, ranunculus or lisianthus can carry a similar clean look.
How do I keep tulips from flopping over?
Wrap the bunch snugly in paper so the stems stand straight, then let them drink cold water for a couple of hours before arranging. A vase that supports the top third of the stem also helps.
Are tulips a concern around pets?
Yes — treat tulips with caution around cats and dogs. The bulb is the most concerning part, but any chewing warrants a call to your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service.
From profile to porch
Love This Flower? Send It Today
Browse arrangements featuring the flowers you just read about — designed with the same honesty you found here.