How to Keep Your Flowers Fresh Longer

Introduction

Receiving a beautiful bouquet is one of life's simple joys. But how do you make that beauty last as long as possible? With the right care, your fresh flowers can stay vibrant for a week or even longer. Here's everything you need to know.

šŸŒø First Steps After Receiving Your Flowers

Flowers can lose moisture during transit, so it's important to act quickly once they arrive:

  • Trim the stems: Use a sharp pair of scissors or floral shears to cut 2ā€“3 cm off the bottom of each stem at a 45Ā° angle. This increases the surface area for water absorption.
  • Remove leaves below the waterline: Submerged leaves will rot and breed bacteria, shortening the life of your blooms.
  • Place in water immediately: After trimming, get your flowers into a vase of fresh water as soon as possible ā€” don't leave the stems exposed to air for long.

šŸ’§ Vase & Water Tips

  • Use a clean vase ā€” rinse it thoroughly to remove any residual bacteria.
  • Fill with room-temperature water, about two-thirds full.
  • Add the flower food sachet included with your bouquet, or make your own: 1 litre of water + 1 teaspoon of sugar + a few drops of bleach.

šŸŒ”ļø Where to Place Your Flowers

  • Avoid direct sunlight: Heat and strong light accelerate wilting.
  • Keep away from air conditioning vents and heaters: Dry, warm air causes flowers to dehydrate quickly.
  • Keep away from fruit: Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which speeds up the ageing of flowers.
  • The ideal temperature is 15ā€“22Ā°C ā€” a cool, well-ventilated spot is perfect.

šŸ”„ Daily Care

  • Change the water every 1ā€“2 days and re-trim the stems by about 1 cm each time.
  • Clean the vase each time you change the water to prevent bacteria build-up.
  • Remove any wilted petals or leaves promptly so they don't affect the rest of the arrangement.

šŸŒ¹ Care Tips by Flower Type

  • Roses: Submerge the entire stem in cold water for 30 minutes to rehydrate ā€” works wonders.
  • Hydrangeas: They drink a lot of water; lightly mist the flower heads to keep them hydrated.
  • Tulips: Prefer cold water; keep the vase only about 5ā€“8 cm full and store in a cool spot.
  • Lilies: Remove the pollen stamens to prevent staining; place in a well-ventilated area as the fragrance can be strong.

Final Thoughts

Every bouquet carries a message of love and beauty. With a little care and attention, you can extend the life of your flowers and enjoy that beauty for longer. If you have any questions about flower care, our team at Wonder by Alice Flowers is always here to help. šŸŒ·