Cut flowers keep drinking after they leave the shop. How long they look fresh depends on the type of flower, how open the blooms were and where you keep them, but these simple habits help every bouquet.
When your flowers arrive
- Get them into water quickly. If your bouquet comes in a water bubble, keep it upright until you are ready to unwrap it.
- Use a clean vase. Wash it with warm, soapy water first: bacteria left from old flowers block the stems.
- Trim the stems. Cut 2 to 3 cm off each stem at an angle with sharp scissors or a knife, so the stems can take up water.
- Remove low leaves. Strip any leaves that would sit below the water line, where they rot quickly.
- Add flower food if a sachet came with your bouquet, following the instructions on the packet.
Every two days
- Change the water and rinse the vase.
- Trim a little more off the stems.
- Take out any flowers that have faded, so they do not shorten the life of the others.
Where to keep them
Keep flowers away from direct sun, radiators, draughts and the fruit bowl: ripening fruit gives off a gas that makes many flowers fade faster. A cool room is best, especially overnight.
Not sure how to care for a particular flower or plant? Ask your florist when you collect or order. They can tell you what to expect from the stems in your bouquet.