It’s no wonder they share a botanical name with the Greek god who fell in love with his own shadow. Daffodils (also known as narcissi) are a beloved springtime bloom, attracting flocks of tourists to botanical gardens around the world, and are featured heavily in some of our favorite seasonal bouquets. Whether you fancy the classic yellow daffodil or prefer to mix in some white, cream, orange, or pink blooms, a bouquet of these blooms should be enjoyed for as a long as possible—which is where these expert tips come into play.

Here, learn how to make your daffodil bouquet stay fresher for longer. Our experts offer tips and tricks that will extend the life of your daffodil bouquets to brighten your home this spring.

Pull, Don’t Cut

If you’re sourcing your daffodil bouquet from your own garden instead of from the florist or grocery store, heed this tip: Daffodils should be picked, not cut. “Reach down to the base of the flower stem and pull,” instructs Nicole Dillon, a micro flower farmer and owner at Breemar Flower Farm. “This extends the vase life by keeping the stem from clogging and not being able to uptake water.”

As a bonus, adds Dillon, this method “also lengthens the stem, giving it more versatility in your designs.”

Choose Your Flowers Wisely

When buying daffodils, make sure to look for flowers that are not too tight and straight. “Look for stems that are at the ‘gooseneck’ stage where the bloom has bent from the main stem,” says Rachel Cho, founder and CEO of Rachel Cho Floral Design. “If you find daffodils that are straight, those were probably cut prematurely and may not open,” she warns.

Trim the Stems Daily

Don’t forget to give the stems a fresh cut every two days. “This helps them drink better,” says Althea Wiles, founder of Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio. “This has saved so many arrangements for me over the years when I notice them starting to fade.”

Wiles recommends just a little snip at an angle—maybe a quarter inch off the bottom. “It’s like when your straw gets clogged, and you need a new one. It’s same idea with flower stems,” she says.

Give Them Some Space

Once you’ve gathered your daffodils, put them in plain water for a few hours before adding them to an arrangement. “Daffodils ooze this sap that’s like poison to other blooms and makes the water really cloudy,” explains Wiles. “I’ve noticed this little step can give you an extra day or two of enjoyment.”

After one to two hours, discard the water, and now the daffodils are ready to be arranged with other flowers. “If you are arranging the daffodils by themselves, simply discard the sap water, clean the vase and fill with fresh water, then arrange,” Cho says.

Change the Water Daily

Simply pour the existing vase water down the drain each morning and add new water to give your daffodils a fresh start to their day. “There is bulb-specific flower food,” says Dillon, “but honestly—keeping the water changed daily is your best bet for success.”

Add a Drop of Bleach

“Sometimes, I add a tiny drop of bleach—nothing crazy, just a few drops in the water to keep it clean,” says Wiles. “I started doing this after noticing how quickly the water gets gunky, and my daffodils last so much longer now.”

Keep In a Cool Spot

Set your vase of daffodils in a cool spot. “Mine never do well near sunny windows or by the heating vents,” shares Wiles. “In my shop, I’ve noticed the arrangements in my cooler north windows always look better longer than ones I put in warmer spots.”

Pro tip? “When I’m doing flowers for a really special event, I’ll sometimes keep the arrangement in my garage refrigerator overnight to keep them looking perfect,” Wiles adds.

Avoid Fruit

“Flowers that come from bulbs are particularly susceptible to ethylene gas damage,” warns Dillon, “which is a gas that fruits and veggies emit when ripening.” As trendy as it may be, avoid adding fruit accents in daffodil arrangements. (And don’t store your vase of blooms on the kitchen counter next to the bananas.)