So, you’ve got your tulips in the ground, and you’re eagerly awaiting their arrival. And then the thought pops into your head, ‘How long are these tulips going to last?’. We thought that might be why you’re here!

Don’t worry, we’re here to demystify the commonly asked question - ‘How long do tulips last?’. And to that, we say - do you mean in the ground, or in a vase? Let’s get into it.

How long do tulips last in the ground?

It all depends on what kind of tulip you’ve planted. Why? Because different tulips flower at different times of the season! Single Early Tulips flower in early spring, Double Late Tulips flower later. Those are the easy ones enough to understand, but some varieties may need a bit more research. For example, Kaufmanniana tulips flower in early to mid-spring, and multi-headed tulips can bloom from May and could last into early summer.

Why does this matter? Well, if you wanted to extend your tulip display, then you could plant all the tulips – Early, mid, and late varieties! Your tulip display will then be extended from just a couple of weeks to the whole season.

How long do tulips bloom?

Your tulips will flower for 1-2 weeks. This depends on a few things, like temperature and weather conditions. If there is heavy rain or wind, it may cause the tulip heads to unfurl, droop, or drop off entirely. We highly recommend planting your tulips somewhere sheltered, like close to a wall or fence.

If that’s not possible, but you know your garden can be quite wind tunnel-ly, planting your tulips in pots is a better option as they can be moved closer to shelter if the weather looks a bit bleak.

How long do tulips last in a vase?

Cutting tulips to fill a vase is many gardeners’ favourite activity and just one of the many positives to growing a glorious spring garden. But how long can you expect your tulips to last until you have to throw them out? And can you prolong their shelf life?

To get the most from your tulips, regardless of the type, variety, or time they flower, follow these tips.

1 - Cut the flower just before the flower blooms, when the colour is just about showing.

2 - Top up the water regularly in their vase.

3 - Keep them somewhere cool, away from radiators or direct sunlight.

They should last about five days, especially if you follow these tips. Want to make your own plant food? Our ‘How to make your own cut flower food’ guide has the recipe for a natural food that’s free from chemicals.