You've just received a beautiful bouquet — now how do you keep it looking fresh for as long as possible? With a few simple habits, you can extend the life of your cut flowers significantly. Here's everything you need to know.
1. Daily Check-Up
The most important thing you can do is check on your flowers every day. Here's what to look for:
- Keep the vase or container filled with fresh water — flowers drink more than you'd expect, especially in the first day or two.
- Use flower food for nourishment and to prevent bacteria from building up in the water.
- Follow the flower food instructions carefully — too much or too little can actually shorten vase life.
2. Give Stems a Fresh Snip
Trimming your stems every few days makes a big difference. Here's how to do it right:
- Cut at an angle (about 45°) — this increases the surface area for water absorption.
- Use sharp scissors or a clean knife to avoid crushing the stem.
- Remove any wilted blooms or leaves that fall below the waterline, as these rot quickly and contaminate the water.
3. Change the Water Regularly
Fresh water every 2–3 days keeps bacteria at bay and gives your flowers the best chance of lasting. When you change the water:
- Add a fresh sachet of flower food.
- Give the vase a quick rinse to remove any slime or debris.
- Re-trim the stems at the same time for maximum uptake.
4. Keep It Cool
Heat is the enemy of fresh flowers. To keep your blooms looking their best:
- Avoid placing flowers in direct sunlight or near windows that get afternoon sun.
- Keep them away from heating and cooling vents, fans, and draughts.
- Don't place flowers on top of TVs, fridges, or radiators — these all give off heat.
- Most flowers prefer a cooler environment. If you're going out for the day, move them to a cool room or even pop them in the fridge overnight.
Quick Summary
- ✅ Top up water daily
- ✅ Use flower food
- ✅ Trim stems every few days at an angle
- ✅ Change water every 2–3 days
- ✅ Keep away from heat and direct sun
Following these simple steps can easily double the vase life of your flowers. At Inbloom Florist, we design every arrangement to be as long-lasting as possible — but a little care at home goes a long way.
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