Calendar spring is right around the corner, and daffodils are already beginning to bloom all over Poland — not just in flowerbeds, but on store shelves as well. Daffodils are a beautiful, budget-friendly way to brighten any interior on a gloomy March day, which is why they’re so beloved in spring bouquets.

However, before you add daffodils to a flower arrangement with other blooms, David Denyer, a floral expert at Euroflorist, emphasizes one crucial step—otherwise, daffodils may “kill” the rest of your bouquet.

David explains that when you trim daffodil stems, they release a toxic sap. If you’ve ever cut daffodils, you’ve likely noticed a thick, sticky substance on the ends of the stems—that’s the sap. It contains toxins that, once in the vase, can contaminate the water and cause other flowers to wilt and die quickly.

Although many believe that for this reason, daffodils should never be combined with other flowers, that’s not entirely true. That’s why David shares his best tip for anyone who still wants to include daffodils in a spring arrangement.

David explains:

The solution is a so-called “daffodil quarantine.” Simply place freshly cut daffodils in a separate vase of water for the first 24 hours. That way, they’ll release their sap before you add them to an arrangement with other flowers. You can even use this trick with bouquets you receive as gifts.

When you first trim daffodil stems, they immediately begin to release that sticky, toxic sap. Always wear gloves while cutting daffodils, as the sap can be harmful to people too—it can cause rashes or itching in some individuals.

Because daffodils have soft stems, you cut them straight across rather than at a 45° angle (as you do with many other varieties). While they look lovely on their own, mixing daffodils with other flowers is a wonderful way to bring more color and depth to any bouquet.

To keep your daffodils looking their best for as long as possible, remember to place them in shallow water and change it every few days. If you’re creating your own arrangements, you can also combine daffodils by using floral foam.