Most florists will tell you that flowers last up to 7 days after purchase, but here’s an insider scoop for you from our expert florists: with proper flower care, those blooms can last double that! So, to help you keep your blooms looking fresh and vibrant, we've gathered expert advice from our community of local florists and are sharing their top tips on how to make flowers last longer below.
Ready? Let’s learn how to take care of flowers together.
6 Flower Care Tips to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh
We’ll let you in on a secret: you don’t need to be green-fingered to learn how to keep cut flowers fresh. Simply follow these flower care tips and your blooms’ beauty and freshness are guaranteed to last!
Buying Healthy Flowers Makes a Difference
We’ll be honest, if your flowers don’t look healthy when first bought, the following steps aren’t going to make them last longer. We’re here to help, but we can’t perform miracles!
So, when buying flowers, check the foliage and stems to make sure they aren’t dry and withered or mushy and slimy. You want to pick blooms with firm petals and vibrant colors. In this scenario, you really do need to judge the book by its cover!
Also, while it’s tempting to buy the flowers with the biggest blooms, these bouquets have already reached their peak and won’t last much longer (sad, we know). Instead, try to pick flowers that are on “the break” with buds that are neither too opened nor too closed.
Picking the Right Vase
As in nature, flowers need a healthy environment if they’re to thrive. For cut flowers, that environment all comes down to you! #PlantParentsUnite
So, start by selecting an appropriately-sized vase. It should be spacious enough to prevent overcrowding and allow water to flow to every stem, but not so big that the flowers look lost.
Next, wash your vase (be sure to completely rinse out any soap!) and fill it ¾ of the way up with room temperature water. Then, add in a packet of flower food (more on this in a moment) and mix it in until it’s completely dissolved. Your flowers’ new home is now ready!
Trim Stems
When you buy or receive flowers, we know how tempting it can be to put them on display right away. After all, they’re beautiful. But taking a little time to learn how to prepare flowers for a vase can really help make your bouquet last longer.
Before you pop the flowers in a vase, use scissors to cut the end of your stems at a 45-degree angle. This angled cut increases the surface area from which stems can absorb water and food—the more nutrients they get, the better the flowers look!
Our top tip? Cut while holding the end of the stem underwater to prevent air from blocking any water-conducting tissues. Then, immediately put them in your vase with water. Stem ends seal up within a few seconds, so make sure your vase is ready and filled with water. Also, be sure to retrim your stems every few days for extra longevity.
Pick the Right Environment
When figuring out how to make flowers last longer, consider where you’re putting your blooms. We’re after a Goldilocks environment here—everything needs to be just right.
Try to keep your flowers away from drafts and rooms that get too warm—the added heat will cause the petals to wilt. You should also keep cut flowers away from direct sunlight, as it promotes bacterial growth and can cause the water to evaporate, leaving your flowers dehydrated.
In short, for long-lasting flowers, place the vase in the center of a room, away from doors and windows. It's the ideal location because the temperature here is less likely to fluctuate and your blooms should be in indirect sunlight.
Use Flower Food
You’ve heard of flower power—but have you heard of flower food? A nutrient-rich supplement, flower food helps prevent bacteria from growing in the water and provides flowers with the nutrients they need to look good for longer.
What is Flower Food?
We’ll try not to get too technical here, but commercial flower food packets usually contain:
- Sugars. These provide flowers with energy, which helps them maintain their vitality and continue blooming.
- Acidifiers. These help to lower the pH level of the water, making it easier for the flowers to absorb nutrients and water through their stems.
- Biocides. These substances inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi in the water which can clog the stems and shorten the lifespan of flowers.
Essentially, flower food provides cut blooms with the nutrients they usually get from the ground. It’s what you put in water to keep flowers fresh.
DIY Flower Food
Our favorite thing about it? You can whip up some DIY flower food using household items! Here are a few flower food replacements:
- Soda: Add 1/4 cup of Sprite or another clear soda to your vase. This adds sugar to your water.
- Aspirin: Add one crushed aspirin into the water before adding your flowers. This lowers the pH level of your water.
- Coins: Add a penny to your vase. It acts as an acidifier.
- Bleach: Add ¼ teaspoon of bleach and ¼ teaspoon sugar to fight bacteria.
- Vodka: Add a teaspoon of vodka for every liter of vase water for an antibacterial effect.
- Apple cider vinegar: Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to keep your vase water sterile.
How to Store Fresh Flowers?
This tip might sound a little out there but, trust us, it works!
Storing flowers in the fridge overnight helps to prolong their life by slowing down the aging process. So, if you want blooms to look their best on a particular day, put them in a vase and place them in the fridge. Just be sure to remove any fruit and veggies from the fridge first as these give off gases that can decay your flowers.
Regular Maintenance For Long-Lasting Flowers
If you’re still unsure about how to keep flowers alive longer, regular TLC could be the answer.
You should change the water frequently to prevent a build-up of bacteria and always use room temperature water in your vase.
If you’re wondering how often to change out water for flowers, every two to four days is a good rule of thumb. Also, keep the vase clean and be sure to add plant food and retrim the stems when you replace the water too.
Flower Care by Flower Type
Being a good friend to flowers means knowing their unique needs. Here’s how to take care of flowers, according to their flower type, to make them last longer.
How to Take Care of Roses
Top Tip: Roses are red, violets are blue, remove any leaves below the water line to prevent mildew. You should also cut the stems at a sharp angle under running water or submerged in water to prevent air from entering the stems, which can block water uptake.
Additional Care: Roses benefit from a flower food solution to maintain their vibrant color and freshness. Think of it as an extra sprinkling of love.
How to Take Care of Tulips
Top Tip: Cold water helps tulips stay upright and fresh longer. You should also change the water frequently and keep the stems trimmed for extra longevity.
Additional Care: Tulips continue to grow even after being cut, so trim the stems every few days to maintain the desired arrangement height.
Shop beautiful tulip arrangements.
How to Take Care of Lilies
Top Tip: While bees love lilies because they’re rich in pollen, it can stain the petals. So be sure to remove the pollen from the stamens to keep your flowers looking pristine. You should also use room-temperature water and keep the lilies in a cool place.
Additional Care: Trim the stems at an angle and change the water regularly to keep the lilies hydrated and fresh.
Send a gorgeous lily flower arrangement today.
How to Take Care of Orchids
Top Tip: It’s easy to overwater an orchid (hello root rot!), so why not try misting it regularly instead of watering it? That should provide all the humidity they need. Just remember to use room-temperature water.
Additional Care: Orchids prefer indirect sunlight, so place them in a bright but shaded spot.
Shop orchid bouquets here.
How to Take Care of Peonies
Top Tip: We usually associate fresh flowers with fresh water, but lukewarm water can actually encourage peonies to open more. For even prettier blooms, be sure to trim the stems at an angle and change the water frequently.
Additional Care: Peonies are sensitive to ethylene gas, so keep them away from ripening fruits.
How to Take Care of Hydrangeas
Top Tip: This is another one of those flower care methods that might surprise you, but the best way to care for hydrangeas is to submerge the entire flower head in water for 15-20 minutes to rehydrate the blooms. Yes, we’re serious! You should use room-temperature water and mist the flowers regularly.
Additional Care: Hydrangeas benefit from having their stems crushed slightly to help with water uptake.
Why not send a gorgeous hydrangea arrangement to a special someone?
Why are my Flowers Dying? Common Mistakes to Avoid for Long-Lasting Flowers
If your beautiful blooms are fading far sooner than you’d like, you may be making one of these common flower care mistakes. We’ll keep this section short and snappy to help you identify where you’re going wrong.
Not Changing the Water Regularly
Did you know that stagnant water breeds bacteria, which shortens the life of your flowers? We recommend changing the water in your vase every two days. Also, remember that flowers absorb a lot of water the first day they’re in a vase, so keep an eye on the water level and top it up if necessary.
Using Tap Water
Some tap water contains chemicals—like chlorine—that can be harmful to cut flowers. Leave tap water to sit for a few hours before using it in a vase. Alternatively, consider using filtered water.
Cutting the Stems Wrong
Stems should be trimmed at a 45-degree angle. This creates the maximum possible surface area for water and nutrient uptake. Also, be sure to use sharp scissors to make neat cuts without crushing flower stems.
Drowning the Leaves
Leaves that are left to sit in water can rot and cause bacterial growth in the water. So, before you place stems into a vase of water, remove any leaves that sit below the water line.
Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight makes flowers wilt more quickly. The same goes for any heat source, like a radiator. So keep flowers in a cool, shaded area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Too Much or Too Little Flower Food
Add too little flower food to your vase and blooms won’t get the nutrients they need. But adding too much can be just as harmful. So, be sure to follow the instructions on the flower food packet to get the right dosage.
Touching the Petals
When you touch petals, oils and dirt from your hands can cause them to bruise, wilt, or deteriorate faster. So, try to handle flowers by their stems and—however pretty those petals look—avoid touching them wherever possible.
How long do flowers last?
So now you know how to keep flowers fresh longer, you can fill your home with beautiful blooms—or gift them to friends—ensuring that they look their absolute best.
But how long are flowers supposed to last? Most florists agree that cut flowers should last at least seven days from purchase. However, if you follow the flower care tips above, you can extend the life of your bouquet, enjoying beautiful, fragrant blooms for up to two weeks.
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