Fill a tall, slender vase with water and add a floral preservative. Healthy tulips are likely to stand more erect than dehydrated, nutrient-deficient stems.
Recut the tulip stems at an angle about an inch from the bottom. Remove the foliage so none is submerged in water. Leave some foliage to help the tulips stand up.
Wrap the tulip stems tightly in plastic wrap, leaving the bottoms free to absorb water. Set the stems in the water for about five hours. Remove the plastic wrap and arrange them in the vase. This allows the tulips to absorb water, swelling the stems with water while erect.
Place the slender vase inside a bigger one if you prefer to use a bigger vase. You can also arrange more tulips around the slender vase inside the bigger one. This way you have tulips that are straighter and taller in the center and ones that droop along the outside.
Keep the tulips in a cool location and out of direct sunlight and drafts. Replenish the water frequently.