Fresh cut flowers bring beauty and joy into any space, but to maximize their lifespan and keep them looking vibrant, it’s essential to know how to care for them properly. Whether you’ve just received a bouquet or picked flowers from your garden, this comprehensive guide will help you ensure your blooms stay fresh for as long as possible. Lilac Florist uses only the freshest blooms for the bouquets, and understanding how to care for them will enhance your enjoyment while keeping them vibrant and enduring.
Typically, people use floral food that is contained in small packets. Alternatively, an aspirin (not ibuprofen) can be just as effective in prolonging the life of your flowers. Remember to trim a small portion off the ends of the stems each day to maintain freshness.
Daily Check Flowers
Check your flowers daily to ensure their longevity. Fresh water should always be kept in the vase, container, or liner. Keeping the water level high is essential to preserving the freshness of your flowers, even if the container comes with floral foam. The water typically contains a floral food additive. If you decide to change the water completely, make sure to thoroughly clean the container as well. Refill it with fresh water mixed with a commercial flower food, which may be provided by your florist. This flower food contains the right nutrients to nourish the flowers, prevent bacterial growth (which can block stems and hinder water absorption), help buds open, and extend the bouquet’s lifespan. Proper use of flower food is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prolong the life of your flowers, but be sure to follow the package instructions carefully. Incorrectly mixed flower food can be detrimental to your blooms.
Re-cut Stems
Re-cutting the stems is an important step to keep your flowers fresh. Every few days, take the flowers out of their arrangement and trim ¾ inch to one inch off the bottom of each stem. Make sure to cut at an angle to help the flowers absorb water more effectively. Use a sharp knife or floral cutter to avoid crushing or piercing the stems, which can damage the water vessels and impede water uptake. Also, remove any wilted or damaged blooms and foliage that are submerged in the water.
To avoid disturbing the arrangement when re-cutting, use twine to tie the stems together just above the vase’s edge before removing them. Hold the stems by the twine to re-cut them, then return the bouquet to the clean vase with fresh water and flower food.
Replace Water and Food
Remember to clean the vase thoroughly before refilling it with room-temperature water and the appropriate amount of fresh flower food. Make sure there are no floating debris in the water, such as leaves or broken stems, since these can promote the spread of germs and cause your flowers to die faster.
Display Flowers in Cool Place
Place your flowers in a cool area where the temperature ranges from 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 22 degrees Celsius). Keep them away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, ceiling fans, and heat sources like televisions or radiators, as these can cause the flowers to dehydrate. Additionally, avoid positioning your flowers near ripening fruit, as the ethylene gas released can cause them to age more quickly.
LILY – Remove Anthers to Prevent Staining
Lily pollen can leave stains on clothing and furniture, so it’s important to carefully remove the anthers (the orange, pollen-covered tips at the end of the stamens) using tissues before arranging your bouquet. As the flowers continue to open and the arrangement ages, keep removing the anthers as needed. Adhere to the general care guidelines mentioned earlier, but handle lilies gently since they are prone to bruising. As the blooms open one after another, trim off any spent flowers close to the main stem.
IRIS – Maintain Full Water Levels
Iris may initially arrive as tight buds in your vase arrangement, but they will bloom and fully open within one or two days. Their stunning blue flowers complement other spring blooms such as tulips and lilies. Although iris have a relatively short vase life, they can be quite impressive. For optimal results, keep the vase filled with water and ensure it remains free of bacteria. You can expect them to last 3-5 days.
ALSTROEMERIA – Thirsty Flowers
When you first receive your Alstroemeria, the buds might look quite tight. With the right flower food, they will open fully, allowing you to enjoy their beauty to the fullest. Alstroemeria have a high water requirement, so be sure to check the vase frequently to keep it filled (or ensure the foam is well-saturated) and add floral food every time you change the water.
CARNATIONS – Keep Away from Fruits and Vegetables
Carnations follow the same general care guidelines as mentioned earlier, but they are particularly sensitive to ethylene, a naturally occurring gas released by fruits, vegetables, and decaying plant material. Although ethylene is harmless to humans and animals, it can shorten the life of carnations. To ensure the best results, keep carnations away from these ethylene-producing sources. When re-cutting the stems, do so just above a node on the flower’s stalk to help the stem absorb water more effectively. With proper care, carnations can last between 7 and 14 days, depending on the variety.
LISIANTHUS – Can Last 7-10 Days
Lisianthus feature vibrant, rose-like blooms in a range of striking colors. They can survive for seven to ten days if taken care of properly. Many of the buds that show color may fully open, while smaller buds might remain closed, enhancing the larger blossoms and complementing the foliage.
PEONIES – Handle with Care
Adhere to the general care instructions for peonies, keeping them in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Peonies typically arrive as buds and will fully open while in the arrangement. The fully opened blooms are delicate and can break if handled roughly, so handle them gently and only move them when absolutely necessary. With the right care, peonies should last around 7 days.
AMARYLLIS – Requires Tender Loving Care
Amaryllis flowers might arrive with some blooms still closed, but with the right care, they will fully open into stunning large flowers. It’s crucial to keep their stems filled with water at all times. When you change the water and re-cut the stems, turn them upside down and fill them with water, using a cotton ball or your finger to plug the bottom of each stem until it’s back in the vase. Since the stems can be brittle and prone to bending or breaking during handling, trimming them daily and wrapping the stem ends in clear tape can help prevent damage. As new blooms open, gently pinch off any older, wilting flowers.
BIRDS OF PARADISE – Prefer Warm Environments
A Bird of Paradise stem typically features 4 to 5 flowers (known as inflorescence). Occasionally, only one flower may be visible while others are concealed within the flower’s boat-shaped bract. When an exposed flower starts to wilt, remove it and gently pull out another flower from the bract. If a flower doesn’t emerge easily, carefully coax it out by hand. These exotic blooms are sensitive to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so place them in a warm location to keep them thriving.
ROSES – Prevent Leaves from Falling Below the Waterline
Follow the general care instructions for your roses, ensuring you remove any discolored outer petals (known as guard petals) and any foliage that falls below the waterline when refreshing your arrangement. Regularly recutting the stems will help extend the roses’ vase life.
If your roses start to wilt, you can try reviving them by trimming about an inch from the bottom of each stem and then submerging the entire rose under water in a sink or bathtub. Let the stem absorb water for 20-60 minutes before placing them back in their vase.
Roses will last longer in a cooler environment, but if you want the blooms to open more quickly, temporarily move them to a warmer spot (but not above 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
ANEMONE – Handle with Care
Anemones follow the same general care guidelines as other flowers, but their stems are quite soft and prone to damage. Handle them delicately and support the stems while re-cutting. Due to the fragility of the blooms, you can expect them to last for about 3-5 days.
DAFFODILS – Handle Stems with Care
Because daffodils live longer in shallow water, fill the vase about halfway when you recut their stems and replace their water (with more floral food) every two or three days. The protective husks can be carefully removed or left on. When daffodil stems are chopped, sap is released, which could hasten the death of other flowers. To avoid this, place the cut stems in a bucket of water by themselves for at least 12 hours before mixing them with other flowers. Some contemporary arrangements use daffodils with the bulbs and roots still attached. In these cases, the soil is washed off the roots, allowing you to enjoy the entire plant, from roots to stems, leaves, and blossoms.
DAISIES – Require Plenty of Water
Daisies follow the same basic care guidelines as other flowers, but they have a high water demand. Regularly check the water level and ensure the vase remains full, with any foam materials thoroughly saturated.
BELLS OF IRELAND – Lasting 7-10 Days
These charming, fragrant green bells are arranged in rings that form a vertical column, with each bell featuring a small white blossom in the center. If you follow the care instructions, your Bells of Ireland should stay lively for seven to ten days.
DENDROBIUM ORCHIDS – Avoid Fruits and Vegetables
Dendrobium orchids should be cared for according to the general guidelines provided, with particular attention to their sensitivity to ethylene gas. This gas, which can be emitted by fruits, vegetables, and decaying plant materials, can affect the orchids’ longevity.
HYACINTH – Handle Stems with Care
Hyacinths should be cared for according to the general guidelines provided, but be aware that their stems release sap when cut, which can reduce the lifespan of other flowers. To avoid this, place the cut stems in a bucket of water by themselves for at least 12 hours before combining them with other flowers. In contemporary arrangements, hyacinths are often used with the bulbs and roots intact. The soil is removed from the roots to keep the water clean.
CALLAS – Hurt Easily
Callas follow the same basic care guidelines, but their spathe (the colored part of the flower) is prone to bruising, so handle them very gently. The fat, thick stalks of these flowers frequently curl at the bottom as they get older. To maximize their vase life, recut the stems every 2 days. Callas also require frequent watering, so check the vase’s water level regularly.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS – Remove Drooping Foliage*
Chrysanthemums are available in many colors, shapes, and petal arrangements, including some that resemble exotic blooms with unique colors and multiple flowers per stem. To maintain their freshness, remove any drooping or yellowing foliage, as it tends to deteriorate faster than the flowers. Regularly recutting the stems can also improve water absorption and extend the vase life. On average, chrysanthemums can last between 7 and 12 days.
GERBERA – Frequently Change the Water
Gerbera stems are prone to bacterial blockage, which can cause the flowers to droop, so it’s important to change the water frequently and add fresh floral food every 1-2 days. Given their sensitivity to ethylene gas and bacteria, ensure the vase and surrounding area are kept clean and free of debris.
FREESIA – Remove Mature Blossoms
Freesia should be cared for using the general guidelines provided, but they specifically prefer room-temperature water. The flowers grow on a comb-like structure, with the largest blooms at the top and the smallest at the bottom. To keep the arrangement looking its best, remove the blossoms as they begin to fade.
HYDRANGEA – Revive Wilting Blooms with Warm Water
Hydrangeas have woody stems that require adequate water to maintain their vase life. If a bloom starts to wilt, remove it from the arrangement, recut the stem at a sharp angle, and place it in warm water for at least one hour. This should help revive the flower, making it ready to return to the arrangement. To keep hydrangeas in optimal condition, ensure the water level in the vase remains full. Additionally, hydrangeas can be dried by hanging them upside down in a warm area. Although the color may slightly fade, dried hydrangeas can last between 9 months and a year.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Wilting
– Re-cut Stems: Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as re-cutting the stems.
– Check Water Quality: Ensure the water is clean and fresh.
Bacterial Growth
– Clean Vase: A thorough cleaning of the vase can help reduce bacteria.
– Add a Bit of Bleach: Adding a tiny amount of bleach to the water can help combat bacterial growth (be cautious and use sparingly).
Fading Colors
– Avoid Ethylene Gas: Keep flowers away from fruits and vegetables, which produce ethylene gas that can accelerate fading.
Enjoying Your Flowers Longer
Display Ideas
– Rotate Bouquets: If you have multiple arrangements, rotate them around your home to keep them fresh and vibrant.
– Add Decorative Touches: Use decorative stones or floral foam in the vase to keep stems in place and add visual appeal.
Preservation Tips
– Drying: Once flowers start to wilt, consider drying them to preserve their beauty. Turn them over and hang them in a dry, dark spot.
– Pressing: Pressing flowers between sheets of paper can create beautiful, lasting keepsakes.
By following these detailed care instructions, you’ll help ensure that your fresh cut flowers remain beautiful and vibrant for as long as possible. Enjoy the beauty and joy they bring into your life!