A beautiful bouquet of flowers elevates any interior – especially when paired with the right vase. But finding the right one is not always easy: Vases that are too tall “swallow up” short-stemmed flowers. Openings that are too wide offer no support for individual, delicate branches. And the wrong size can quickly make the proportions look odd. From ranunculus and tulips to sunflowers – this guide will help you choose the right vase for every stem length and explain how shape and size can make your flowers look even more magnificent.
Why vase height makes all the difference
Let’s start with a simple rule of thumb for quickly choosing the right vase height: To prevent your flowers from either disappearing in the vase or standing out too far, it should be about one-third to half as tall as your flowers’ stems. For a 30 cm tulip, this would mean a height of 10–15 cm. This gives your bouquet stability, space, and the right proportions in the room.
However, shape matters just as much as height:
Short stems (up to approx. 20 cm) – such as ranunculus, small roses, or wildflowers – will disappear in tall vases with wide openings. Here you need a compact, narrow shape that supports the flowers close to the bloom. Ideal height: 7–10 cm.
Medium-length stems (approx. 25–35 cm) – typical of tulips, daffodils, or freesias – work best in vases that are 10–15 cm tall with a medium-width opening, so they do not stand “rigidly” but have some room to spread out.
Long stems (from 40 cm) – such as poppies, sunflowers, or bird of paradise flowers – require taller vases, from around 15–20 cm in height, with a stable base that can support the weight of the blooms. How wide you choose the opening depends on whether you want to showcase individual flowers (choose a narrow vase) or prefer a full bouquet (in which case, opt for a rounder vase with a medium-width opening).
Tulip, Poppy, Dumpling – which vase is right for when?
Our three vases – Tulip, Poppy, and Dumpling – differ in size and look. Although they all embody our sculptural design language and are handmade, each brings out a different flower with its own stem length.
Tulip – the classic vase for tulips and medium to long stems
It is no coincidence that our “Tulip” bears its name. Its organic lines and clear design language are inspired by the calyx of a tulip. It is our narrowest vase shape, standing 30 cm tall (in the “Large” version) – and is therefore ideal for medium to long-stemmed flowers such as calla lilies, lilies, and hydrangeas. Its tapered shape holds stems close together and gives bouquets a natural, upright appearance. You can arrange dense bouquets in it without them “falling apart.”
We are particularly proud to share that the Tulip Vase won the German Design Award in 2023. We subsequently decided to create a “Mini” version as well. The shape is the same, but the height is different: at 17 cm, it is intended for short to medium stems.
Poppy – for medium to long stems and full bouquets
Do you have a loosely tied or lush bouquet with medium stems? Our Poppy Vase has more volume and a wider opening than the Tulip Vase – and is also slightly smaller, at 24.1 cm tall. Its name “Poppy” already hints at which flowers look particularly striking in it: poppies. But roses, carnations, and gerberas also come into their own in this rounded, asymmetrical shape. The voluminous design language gives full bouquets the space they need to unfold. And turns individual large blooms into a unique interior statement.
The Poppy is also available in a “Mini” version that is 15 cm tall. We prefer to arrange a few calla lilies or ranunculus in it.
Dumpling – the sculptural ceramic vase for medium to long stems
Our Dumpling Vase is the roundest of our vase shapes. Its rounded silhouette with soft symmetry and narrow opening holds stems upright and gives every bouquet more structure. It is ideal if you want to create compact, large arrangements.
Wildflowers, dahlias, roses – flowers with medium to long stems look particularly beautiful in it. Our tip: when arranging your bouquet, imagine you want to create an hourglass silhouette. So that your bouquet becomes as rounded as the Poppy. Or use tall branches – such as magnolia – and arrange a few smaller flowers in between.
Mini Vases: Small Vases for Table Decor
Our Mini versions of the Tulip and Poppy Vases make targeted accents in your home with short stems.
Placed individually in areas where there is not much space, combined with their “big sisters” on the sideboard, or in a loose group on the windowsill – small vases for table decor work best when you do not ask too much of them. One bloom, one branch, one bud. Less is not a limitation here, but an aesthetic choice.
The Mini Vases are also a good solution for stems that have been cut too short: instead of throwing them away, they get a second chance in a small ceramic flower vase.
Ceramic Vases: Why the Material Matters
For all our products, we pay close attention to high-quality, durable materials. Poppy is made of ceramic – handmade in Portugal. This is for practical reasons: ceramic is heavy enough to securely hold even larger bouquets. And the wall thickness ensures that the water stays cool for longer.
These Are the Questions You Ask Us Often
How Much Water Should Go in a Ceramic Vase?
Ceramic vases are not transparent, which makes refilling them second nature. As a rule of thumb, fill the vases one-third full of water and check them daily. Freshly cut stems absorb a lot of water, especially in the first few days.
Can Small Vases Also Be Used as Decor Without Flowers?
Our Mini Vases also work as design objects without flowers – individually or in groups. Their sculptural design language makes them decorative statement pieces that elevate any room with dramatic curves and organically calm lines.
Finding the Right Vase
A good flower vase will accompany you through every season. When the shape, opening, and stem length are right, you do not need much more. For all vase shapes – from the slender Tulip to the rounded Poppy and the round Dumpling – you will find everything in the Vase Collection. For the care of your ceramic vases, we recommend taking a look at the Vase Care Guide.
