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Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresh Longer - A Florist's Guide
Blogs / Flower Care & Advice / Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresh Longer - A Florist's Guide

Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresh Longer - A Florist's Guide

Category: Flower Care & Advice
Anna Finlay

Anna Finlay

Owner of Blooming Amazing Flower Company
Last Updated: May 17, 2025
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There's magic in receiving a fresh bouquet from for an expert floristry company such as Blooming Amazing Flower Company. Walking into a room brightened by colourful blooms can instantly lift your mood. It’s natural to want that joy to last.


We've gathered some insider tricks from our experienced florists that will help your flowers stay vibrant days beyond what you might expect. Let's explore how to keep those gorgeous blooms looking their best.

Why Do Cut Flowers Need Special Care?

Cut flowers are like fish out of water - literally. Once snipped from their plant, they lose direct access to water and nutrients. Their survival now depends entirely on you. Every step you take affects how they drink water, fight off bacteria and maintain those delicate petals.


Our team at Blooming Amazing Flower Company handpicks only the freshest seasonal flowers, giving your arrangement the strongest possible start. Each bouquet receives individual attention from our skilled florists. 

Essential First Steps for Your Bouquet

What you do in the first hour after receiving flowers dramatically impacts how long they'll last. These initial steps set the stage for days of beauty.

 

Prepare Your Vase

 

Start with an absolutely clean vase. Even tiny amounts of bacteria can quickly multiply, clouding water and shortening flower life. Wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water and rinse completely.


Pick a vase with enough room for your flowers to breathe. Cramming stems together restricts water flow and encourages decay. Need inspiration? Check out our flowers in vases and vessels collection.

 

Remove All Wrapping, But Do Not Untie the Bouquet

 

Take off any cellophane or paper as soon as you can. Always keep that string or tie around the stems intact - it maintains the bouquet's carefully designed shape.

 

Before your flowers are delivered from our shop we will carry out these steps for you but if you receive loose stems please follow these guidlines.

Trim the Stems Correctly

 

Flowers drink through their stems, so a fresh cut surface makes all the difference. Grab sharp, clean clippers or a knife (not scissors!) and cut each stem at a sharp angle. 

 

Try cutting under running water or cut immediately before placing in the vase. This creates more surface area for water absorption and prevents air bubbles from blocking the stem.

 

Dull scissors crush rather than cut, damaging the stem's ability to drink.

 

Remove Lower Foliage

 

Strip away any leaves that would sit below the waterline of your vase. Submerged leaves rot quickly, creating a breeding ground for bacteria that clouds water and shortens flower life.

How to Keep Your Flowers Hydrated

Water management makes or breaks your bouquet's longevity. Consistency is your secret weapon.

  • Use Fresh, Cool Water

Fill your vase with fresh, room-temperature tap water. Most flowers prefer water that feels slightly cool to the touch - not ice cold, not warm. Extreme temperatures can shock delicate stems and reduce their drinking ability.

  • Change Water Regularly

Fresh water every 1-2 days works wonders. This simple trick removes accumulating bacteria and replenishes oxygen. When changing water, quickly rinse the vase and if possible, snip a tiny bit off the bottom of each stem for maximum effect.

  • Keep the Vase Topped Up

Flowers drink surprisingly quickly, especially during their first two days in your home. Check water levels daily - drooping flowers often just need a drink! Keep stems fully submerged for optimal hydration.

How to Nourish Your Bouquet

Think of flower food as vitamins for your bouquet. Those little packets contain a scientific blend that outperforms any kitchen remedy.

The Benefits of Provided Flower Food

Our flower food packets combine three essential elements:

  1. Sugars that feed flowers and encourage blooming.

  2. Acidifiers that help stems drink water efficiently.

  3. Biocides that slow bacterial and fungal growth.

This professional formula works far better than homemade alternatives like sugar water or aspirin.

 

Following Packet Instructions

 

Use exactly the amount recommended on the packet. Too much can harm stems, while too little won't provide enough benefit. Empty the entire sachet and stir until fully dissolved before adding your flowers.

What Is the Perfect Spot to Keep Flowers Fresh?

Location matters almost as much as water. The right environment can add days to your bouquet's life.

  • Avoid direct sunlight and heat - Keep flowers away from sunny windows, radiators, or appliances that generate heat. Excess warmth speeds up the aging process and dries out petals and leaves.

  • Steer clear of fruit bowls - Did you know ripening fruit releases invisible gases that age flowers? Place your vase at least a few feet from fruit bowls or compost bins to prevent premature wilting.

  • Protect from draughts - Avoid placing arrangements near open windows, doorways or air conditioning vents. Air movement can quickly dehydrate blooms and cause petalsand foliage to dry out and drop.

Still not sure where to place your flowers? Our florists love helping with personalised advice - just get in touch.

Addressing Common Flower Freshness Issues

Even well-prepared flowers can show signs of fatigue over time. With a few practical steps, you can respond quickly and help your bouquet stay in top condition.

 

Tips to Revive Wilting Flowers

 

If your flowers start to droop, try these steps to help restore their freshness:

  • Re-cut the stems - Use sharp, clean clippers or a knife to trim 1–2 centimetres from the base of each stem at a sharp angle. This helps reopen the water uptake channels.

  • Refresh the water - Place the bouquet in a clean vase filled with room-temperature water and the full contents of a fresh flower food sachet.

  • Try the overnight method - Move the flowers to a cooler room overnight, away from direct light and heat sources. This slows moisture loss and may help perk up some varieties.

  • Remove spent stems - If certain flowers appear limp or have browning petals, take them out of the arrangement to help the remaining blooms last longer.

These small adjustments can make a noticeable difference and extend the life of your bouquet.

 

Dealing with Cloudy Water

 

If the water in your vase looks cloudy or smells unpleasant, it usually means bacteria has started to grow. This can quickly shorten the life of your flowers. Pour out the water, wash the vase with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. 

 

Refill with fresh water and flower food, then trim the stems before placing the flowers back. Cleaning your vase regularly and checking the water daily will help maintain clarity and prolong freshness.

Enjoy Long-Lasting Beauty from Blooming Amazing

Starting with expertly prepared flowers gives every bouquet a better chance at long-lasting beauty. 

 

At Blooming Amazing Flower Company, we select premium, seasonal blooms and condition each stem by hand before it leaves our shop. With the right care at home, your arrangement will remain vibrant for days beyond what many expect.

 

Every bouquet is supported by our trusted in-house flower delivery service, which ensures your flowers are delivered in top condition - no overnight couriers or postmen involved.

 

If you're ever unsure how to care for a particular arrangement, feel free to reach out. Our team is always ready with personalised guidance, backed by the same care that goes into each bouquet.

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