How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer
Simple, florist-approved steps that help a bouquet stay fresh and beautiful for days longer.
A fresh bouquet can brighten a room for a week or more with a little care. These are the same steps florists use to keep their blooms looking their best.
1. Give the stems a fresh cut
As soon as your flowers arrive, trim about an inch from each stem at a 45-degree angle with sharp scissors or a knife. The angled cut gives the stem more surface area to drink and keeps it from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase.
2. Remove leaves below the waterline
Leaves sitting in water break down quickly and feed bacteria, which clogs stems and shortens vase life. Strip any foliage that would sit under the water.
3. Start with a clean vase and flower food
Wash the vase with warm, soapy water and rinse it well. Fill it with cool water and stir in the flower food packet if one is included. Flower food feeds the blooms and slows bacterial growth.
4. Change the water every two days
Top up or replace the water every couple of days, and give the stems a quick re-trim each time. Cloudy water is a sign it is time for a change.
5. Choose a cool spot
Keep the arrangement away from direct sunlight, heating vents and drafts. Avoid placing flowers next to a fruit bowl: ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which makes many flowers age faster.
6. Remove fading blooms
Pull out any flower that starts to wilt so the rest of the bouquet stays fresh and looks full.
Follow these steps and most bouquets will reward you with many days of color.
