If you've noticed bunches of tulips in your local supermarket, you're not alone. They seem to be popping up everywhere in various colours.

The flowers look beautiful in bloom, particularly in a tall vase in the centre of a table. However, over time, tulips can start to droop.

Tulips droop when they are dehydrated or when there is bacteria in the water. They can also start to droop when they're nearing the end of their life.

On average, tulips should last in a vase for five to 10 days if they're cared for properly. But how can you stop them from drooping?

According to experts, all you need is a penny or a two pence piece.

Yvonne Pratt, the voice behind the blog, StoneGable, suggested using "the penny trick".

The simple hack involves putting a penny in a vase of tulips to help "extend their life and freshness".

Pennies can be used to make tulips last longer as they contain copper, which acts as a natural fungicide.

The copper kills any bacteria and fungi in the water, which would normally shorten the life of the flowers.

However, Maryam Ghani, brand manager at Haute Florist explained that not any penny can be used.

The best pennies to use are pre-1982 as they contain more copper. Maryam said: "The age-old notion of adding a penny to your vase holds merit, courtesy of copper's inherent fungicidal properties.

"However, it's imperative to discern the composition of your currency, as post-1982 pennies primarily consist of zinc, rendering them ineffective. Opt for pre-1982 counterparts, rich in copper content, for optimal preservation."