Flower Care

How to care for cut flowers, to ensure they last as long as possible.
Fresh flowers can't last forever, but there are ways to keep them looking good.
Flowers should last 4-7 days, depending upon the species, and the amount of care you give them.

Water

For cut flowers, use a clean vase to avoid bacteria. Bacteria can block water flow to the stem of your flowers.

Fill vase with luke-warm/tepid water. Most good florists will provide a small sachet of flower food/preservatives to stop bacteria growth and feed the flowers for optimal flower care. Alternatively you can try a dash of sugar (for food) and a few drops of bleach or lemon juice (to kill bacteria), taking care not to overdose the bleach. If flower food was provided, ensure you follow the correct mixing proportions.

Change the water every day or two. Sitting water can develop bacteria. When you change the water, trim the base of the stems again.

Take care to keep water levels constant. Keeping your vase full of water ensures that no air can enter the stems, creating "air locks". Air can also enter through the sides of the stems if a thorn had been removed or a small lesion exists.

Hairy stemmed plants generally don't like deep water. Place hairy-stemmed flowers in water no more than 7cm deep.

Flowers

Cut off the bottom of the stem - approximately 2-3cm from the base of the stem, at an angle. This lets the water keep flowing from the stem to the flower. It removes any blockages such as air pockets. Use a sharp knife, rather than scissors, due to the crushing action of close blades.

Milky-stemmed flowers, such as roses, can benefit from searing the bottom of the stem with hot water after you cut it, to stop them oozing milky sap, which can prevent water intake.

Flowers from bulbs should be trimmed above the hard white base, to enhance water intake.

Remove leaves below the waterline. They will rot, create bacteria and make the water smell.

Peel back and remove any protective guard petals that appear darkened along the outside of a rose.

You can gently remove the pollen-laden stamen from lilies, to avoid staining clothes and furniture.

To keep flowers standing upright after they have gone limp, trim the ends, change the water, wrap a bunch of stems in damp newspaper and stand in water overnight. They can also benefit from a dose of hot water at the base of the stems, to kill bacteria and open up the ends again.

With woody stems, after trimming the base make a vertical slit in the base to permit a greater water intake.

You can also spray your flowers lightly with water, to keep the moisture up.

Location

Keep cut flowers away from sun, heat and draughts. Sun and heat cause water to evaporate and flowers to droop, as can heat from televisions and electrical appliances.

Keep flowers away from fruit such as bananas. As fruit ripens it produces a gas that will age your flowers.

Protect your furniture from water stains, by placing something underneath your flower arrangement.

Following these tips for flower care should help keep your flowers looking fresh longer.