7 Ways to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer

What you do in the first few hours after flowers arrive decides how long they last. With the right care, most cut flowers easily stay fresh for a week. Here are seven easy tips.

1. Cut the stems at an angle

Before putting the flowers in a vase, trim 2–3 cm from each stem at an angle with a sharp knife or scissors. An angled cut increases the surface that absorbs water. If you can, cut under running water to stop air entering the stem.

2. Remove leaves below the waterline

Leaves sitting in the water rot and breed bacteria, which block the stems. Strip every leaf that would be under water.

3. A clean vase and lukewarm water

Wash the vase thoroughly. Room-temperature or slightly lukewarm water suits most flowers. If your bouquet came with flower food, mix it in as directed on the sachet.

4. Change the water every two days

Replace the water completely every two days, trimming the stems a little each time. Cloudy water shortens a bouquet's life faster than anything else.

5. Choose the right spot

Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators and air-conditioning vents. And don't place them next to the fruit bowl: ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which makes flowers wilt faster.

6. Remove fading flowers

Take out wilted flowers and leaves as soon as you see them — the rest will last longer and the bouquet will look better. A rose with a drooping head can often be revived by re-cutting the stem and standing it in lukewarm water for a few hours.

7. Keep the foam moist in boxes and arrangements

In flowers in a box and arrangements, stems sit in water-holding floral foam. Add a little water every day so the foam never dries out — keep it wet, but don't let water pool at the bottom of the box.

A quick note on potted plants

Place potted plants such as anthuriums and orchids somewhere bright but out of direct sun, and water when the top of the soil feels dry. Overwatering is the most common problem.

Did your flowers arrive damaged?

If a FlowerEast order arrives damaged or wilted, send us a photo within 24 hours of delivery and we will resend the flowers or refund you.