You’re planning the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration and want to be sure the day is just as special as any other year, if not more!
If you’re ordering flowers, naturally, you want to make sure they last as long as possible, right?
We’re here to help you choose the right blooms for your sweetheart that will last well beyond the big day!
1. Carnation
Carnations are one of the best cut flowers to include in any arrangement.
If cared for correctly, these beauties can last up to 2 weeks!
Care Tips:
- Be sure to change your vase water, if not every day, then every other day to ensure they have the best shot at the longest life possible.
- When changing the water, take a pair of sharp shears and recut the stems at a 45-degree angle so they get enough water intake.
Pro tip: When cutting your carnations, cut directly in the middle of the thick, knobby looking part of the stem.
- Use cold water and be sure none of the foliage is submerged. The cold water prevents any air bubbles from blocking water absorption inside the stem.
2. Rose
A Valentine’s Day classic: the rose.
Whether you choose romantic red, pretty pink, or happy yellow, here are some top tips for keeping your fresh friends looking their best.
Care Tips:
- For fresh-cut roses, you’re going to want to fill a clean vase with lukewarm water. Extreme temperatures can shock your roses and thus shorten their life.
- Flower food is also an excellent option to help nurture your roses once they hit the vase. Pour a bit into a clean vase before putting the blooms back in.
- Change the water frequently, removing all wilting petals and leaves to avoid rot. Pro tip: Don:t be afraid to peel back petals directly from the bloom if they start looking funky. Doing so can help keep your roses alive much longer! (Just try not to go too petal crazy ;)).
3. Sunflowers
A sweet and sunny alternative to roses, the sunflower is another favorite pick for Valentine’s Day.
Care Tips:
- Sunflowers are thirsty beasts, so keeping them hydrated is key. Change their water every day to keep bacteria levels low and slow down the process of decomposition.
- Using a flower preservative is also always a good idea when it comes to sunflowers. If you don’t happen to have any, check out these super easy recipes using everyday household products.
- Recut your sunflower’s thick stalks at an angle to ensure optimum water intake.
4. Orchids
A symbol of beauty & love, the pink orchid is a perfect bloom for Valentine’s Day.
If properly cared for, these beauties can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks!
Most orchids can even keep their freshness out of water (for a few hours, that is).
Care Tips:
- Keep your fresh orchids in cooler conditions. No need to go crazy with this one; just try and keep them in a cooler room of the house and away from vents and heaters.
- Keep the water level about halfway up the orchids’ stems & replenish when the water level goes down.
5. Delphinium
A non-traditional take on Valentine’s Day flowers, but we’re soo here for it.
With their deep blue-purple hues, these blooms are perfect for adding depth and contrast to any V-Day arrangement.
Care Tips:
- Since delphinium have hollow stems, turning them over after cutting and filling their stems with water will help keep them hydrated and help them last longer. Use a cotton ball as a plug at the base of the stem and submerge the stem back into its vase.
- When re-cutting the stems, be sure to use sharp shears as opposed to regular house scissors, as doing so can crush the delphinium’s hollow stem and hinder water intake.
6. Alstroemeria
Also known as the Peruvian Lily, Alstroemeria is another beautiful, long-lasting choice for your sweethearts Valentine’s Day bouquet.
With 6 to 8 flowers per stem, you totally get more blooms for your buck with these.
They’re also a pretty perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day arrangement as their 6 petals stand for understanding, humor, patience, empathy, commitment, and respect.
Care Tips:
- Be sure to remove any fallen leaves from the water (Alstro has quite a bit of foliage on its stems).
- Use a flower preservative to keep the leaves green and blooms vibrant!
7. Gerbera Daisy
A personal favorite (don’t tell the others), it’s truly a crime to keep the gerbera daisies’ bright, vibrant colors out of any Valentine’s Day arrangement.
Care Tips:
- When re-cutting the stems of your gerbs, hold the end of the stem under water, cutting about a half of an inch off of the bottom at a 45-degree angle.
- Keep the water in your vase relatively shallow, only covering about 1 inch of the stems, so they do not become soft and mushy.
- Keep your gerbera’s in a spot with nice bright indirect light and avoid areas susceptible to heat or drafts.
