Flower Care
Getting the most from your flowers
A few small habits make a real difference to how long a bouquet lasts. None of this is complicated — it’s just what we’d tell a friend.
Trim the stems before anything else
Cut about 2cm off each stem at an angle, ideally under running water. A fresh, angled cut stops the stem end sealing over and lets it keep drinking properly.
Change the water every couple of days
Cloudy water means bacteria, and bacteria is what actually kills cut flowers — not age. Fresh water every 2 days (with a fresh trim each time) makes the biggest difference of anything on this list.
Strip any leaves below the waterline
Submerged leaves rot and feed bacteria in the water. Anything that would sit below the water level should come off before the stems go in the vase.
Use the flower food if we’ve included it
That little sachet is mostly sugar and a mild antibacterial — it genuinely extends vase life. Follow the pack instructions rather than guessing the ratio.
Keep them away from heat and direct sun
Radiators, sunny windowsills and the top of the fridge all speed up wilting. A cool spot out of direct light will roughly double how long an arrangement lasts.
Keep them away from fruit bowls
Ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas, which makes cut flowers age faster. It sounds odd, but it’s one of the most common reasons flowers fade early.
Ready for your next bouquet?
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