Of course, you want to enjoy a fresh bunch of flowers for as long as possible. But how to do that? Fortunately, it seems more complicated than it is. With our handy and useful tips, you can easily extend the flowering time of your bouquet!
Here are five great tips to help you make the most of your floral arrangements and keep your flowers looking lovely for as long as possible.
1. Start with a clean vase
It all starts with a clean vase. Any leftover grime or bacteria from previous arrangements can cause your new flowers to wilt faster. So before you even think about arranging your flowers, give your vase a good wash with warm, soapy water. For an extra clean vase, rinse it with a mixture of vinegar and water. This will get rid of any lingering bacteria and set the stage for your flowers to thrive.
2. Trim the stems regularly
Cut flowers need a little help to stay hydrated. When you first bring your flowers home, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water. This angled cut increases the surface area for water absorption, helping your flowers stay hydrated. Every few days, give the stems another trim to keep them fresh. It’s a simple step, but it makes a big difference.
3. Change the water often
Fresh water is key to keeping your flowers alive and well. Make it a habit to change the water every couple of days. Each time you do, rinse the vase and refill it with clean, room-temperature water. Adding a little floral preservative to the water can also help, but if you don’t have any, a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of bleach will do the trick. This combo feeds your flowers and keeps bacteria at bay.
4. Keep flowers cool
As much as you might want to display your flowers in a sunny spot, it’s best to keep them cool. Direct sunlight and heat can cause flowers to wilt faster. Instead, place them in a cool, shaded area away from heat sources like stoves or radiators. If you can, move your flowers to a cooler spot overnight, like an air-conditioned room or even the fridge. A little chill goes a long way in extending their freshness.
5. Remove wilting flowers quickly
As flowers start to wilt, they release ethylene gas, which can speed up the ageing of the rest of your bouquet. To keep your arrangement looking its best, promptly remove any wilting flowers. It’s a small task, but it can really help the remaining flowers stay fresh for longer.
Want to know how to take care of your plants? Read our plant care guide!
Unlike bouquets, the flowers in an arrangement are inserted into floral foam filled with water. Floral foam does the same thing as a flower stem: it takes in and absorbs water. An advantage of using floral foam is that it holds a large amount of water, keeping the flowers moist for longer.
Follow these simple instructions to enjoy it for as long as possible:
- Add a little tap water at room temperature every day or two, depending on the size of your arrangement and the season. It's best to use a small watering can and pour the water from the centre upwards.
- Don't add any preservatives, as your florist will have added enough for several days.
- Remove the flowers or buds once they have wilted. Unlike a bouquet, you don't need to bevel the stems as the florist has already done this. It is quite normal for flowers to continue to grow and stick out a little.