Origami: Paper Tulip
A paper tulip in two parts: fold the flower from one square and a long green stem from another, then slide them together. Follow the pictures: dashed lines show where to fold, and blue arrows show which way. No scissors needed, and a dab of glue or tape on the back is optional.
- Valley fold (fold toward you)
- Mountain fold (fold behind)
- Fold in front
- Fold behind
- Fold to this spot
- Step 1.
Fold the flower square into a triangle
Start with the flower square. Turn it so it looks like a diamond, white side facing up. Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner and press the crease flat.
- Step 2.
Fold the side corners up into petals
Keep the folded edge at the bottom. Fold the left corner up along the dashed line, so its tip points up and slightly out, level with the top corner. Do the same with the right corner. These are the petals.
- Step 3.
Turn the flower over
Check that both petals match, then turn the flower over. The smooth side is the front, with the petal tips peeking out on each side of the top point.
- Step 4.
Kite-fold the stem square
Now take the green square, white side up, as a diamond. Fold it in half from side to side and unfold to make a center crease. Fold the two upper edges in so they meet on the crease.
- Step 5.
Fold the edges to the middle again
Fold the new slanted edges in to the center crease once more. The stem is now long and thin.
- Step 6.
Fold the stem in half
Fold the left half over onto the right half along the center crease and press it flat. The narrow point at the top is the end that goes into the flower.
- Step 7.
Slide the flower onto the stem
Push the stem’s top point up behind the flower, tucking it under the folded petal flaps at the bottom point. If it slips, add a small dab of glue or a piece of tape on the back.
You made a paper tulip! 🎉
Fold three tulips in three different colors and stand them in a cup or jar as a bouquet. They make a great gift with a paper heart.
Next, try the Penguin or see all origami guides.
More Origami Guides
A simple, printable step-by-step guide to folding a classic paper fortune teller (cootie catcher).
Jumping FrogA printable 9-step guide to folding the classic index-card jumping frog, with pictures for the head, front legs and the zigzag spring that makes it jump.
Masu Box (Traditional Box)A simple, printable step-by-step guide to folding a traditional origami masu box.