Tulips: varieties, care and how to build a bouquet
20 August 2026 · Lacy Bird florists
A practical guide from the Lacy Bird florists: when the season is, how long tulips last in a vase, why they keep growing and leaning towards the light, and what to pair them with.
The tulip is the defining flower of spring and one of the symbols of 8 March. It is alive in the most literal sense: it keeps growing in the vase and turns towards the light. Every spring at Lacy Bird we arrange thousands of tulip bouquets, and we know how to bring out the best in them.
Tulips: the flower at a glance
| Season | late winter to spring, peaking around 8 March; greenhouse tulips are available almost year-round |
|---|---|
| Vase life | 5–7 days; they keep growing by 2–5 cm |
| Palette | every shade except a true blue; there are bicolour, double and parrot varieties |
| Fragrance | faint or none |
| Special feature | they grow in the vase and lean towards the light (phototropism) |
| What to pair with | lovely on their own; also with ranunculus, narcissi and greenery |
| Alternatives | ranunculus, spray roses |
When the season is and when to buy
The tulip is a flower of late winter and spring. The peak falls in February–March, and around 8 March is the fullest tulip season. Greenhouse tulips are available almost all year, but in spring the choice of varieties and prices is at its best. Tulips are a gift that never fails in spring and in March.
How to choose fresh tulips
- The bud is closed or only slightly open, firm and evenly coloured.
- A strong stem with no soft spots; the leaves are green, not yellow.
- A clean cut and clear water in the bucket.
Care: tulips have a life of their own
Tulips behave differently from most flowers:
- They grow in the vase — the stem lengthens by a few more centimetres.
- They lean towards the light and bend — this is normal; turn the bouquet to keep its shape.
- They like cold water and a cool place; pour in only a little water and change it often.
- Do not put them in the same vase as narcissi during the first hours — the sap of narcissi shortens the life of tulips (once the narcissi have been trimmed and stood separately, it is fine).
Varieties
- Single — the classic cup shape, the longest-lasting.
- Double — full, peony-like tulips.
- Parrot — with fringed, ruffled petals, striking.
- Fringed and lily-flowered — for more distinctive bouquets.
What to combine them with in a bouquet
Tulips are beautiful as a single-flower bouquet — 15, 25 or 51 stems look cohesive and spring-like. In designer arrangements they are combined with ranunculus, muscari, narcissi and spring greenery. For 8 March, double and parrot varieties are especially good.
Lacy Bird designer bouquets
Designer arrangements from our catalogue — with delivery across Moscow.
*(product grid from the catalogue — dynamic; CTA: «» → )*
Frequently asked questions
How long do tulips last in a vase?
Tulips last 5–7 days. They like cold water and a cool place; pour in only a little water and change it often. Bear in mind that tulips keep growing in the vase and lean towards the light — this is normal.
Why do tulips grow and bend in the vase?
The tulip is the only cut flower that keeps growing after being cut (it lengthens by 2–5 cm), and it leans towards the source of light (phototropism), which is why it bends. To help the bouquet keep its shape, turn it and keep it in a cool place.
When is tulip season?
Late winter and spring, with the peak in February–March, around 8 March. Greenhouse tulips are available almost year-round, but in spring the choice of varieties and prices is at its best.
What colours do tulips come in?
Almost any: white, yellow, pink, red, lilac, nearly black, bicolour. The one colour they do not come in is a true blue. There are striking double and parrot varieties.
How many tulips should I give?
An odd number is traditional: 15, 25, 51 — a single-flower bouquet of tulips in one colour or in harmonising colours looks cohesive. For a major occasion, a large bouquet; as a gesture of attention, 15 is enough.
Can tulips be put in a vase with narcissi?
Not straight away: the sap of freshly cut narcissi shortens the life of tulips. If you would like them together, first keep the narcissi in water on their own for a few hours, then you can combine them.
We will arrange a bouquet with tulips
Seasonal designer arrangements with delivery across Moscow.
