Dry, parched flower petals look great in potpourri but not so great sticking out of a vase. From grocery-store bundles to fancy florist arrangements, millions of colorful blooms brighten living rooms and moods for far less than the cost of a decorator or a psychopharmacologist. But when stems droop and buds wither, you may wonder if the indulgence was worth it. Real Simple tested common home and florist strategies for lengthening the life of the ever popular and ever temperamental tulip to find out what really works.

The following seven bouquets had the same humble beginnings: On Day 1, their stems were cut, and they were immediately placed in identical vases. The vases all contained 36 ounces of fresh, room-temperature water; all but one also had an additive that was supposed to boost longevity. As the week progressed, the water level was kept constant. Here's how they fared.