7 Expert Tips to Keep Your Flowers Fresh for Weeks

There's nothing sadder than watching a beautiful bouquet wilt after just a few days. But with the right care, your flowers can stay fresh and vibrant for much longer. Here are our professional tips.

1. Cut Stems at an Angle

When you receive your flowers, cut about an inch off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase.

2. Use Clean, Cool Water

Fill your vase with cool (not cold) water and change it every 2-3 days. Bacteria buildup is the #1 killer of cut flowers, so clean water is essential.

3. Remove Lower Leaves

Any leaves that would sit below the waterline should be removed. Submerged leaves rot quickly and introduce bacteria into the water.

4. Keep Away from Heat and Direct Sunlight

• While flowers need light to grow, cut flowers last longer in cooler conditions. Keep them away from:
• Direct sunlight
• Heating vents
• Appliances that generate heat
• Fruit bowls (fruit emits ethylene gas that accelerates wilting)

5. Use Flower Food

That little packet that comes with your flowers? Use it! Flower food contains sugars for nutrition, acidifiers to help water absorption, and biocides to fight bacteria.

6. Mist Delicate Blooms

Some flowers, like hydrangeas and roses, benefit from a light daily misting. This helps them stay hydrated, especially in dry environments.

7. Remove Dying Flowers Promptly

As individual blooms fade, remove them from the arrangement. Dying flowers release ethylene gas and can accelerate the wilting of healthy blooms nearby.

Bonus: The Refrigerator Trick

For special occasions, you can place your arrangement in the refrigerator overnight. The cool temperature slows down the aging process. Just make sure there's no fruit nearby!