Flowers make a beautiful addition to any room, whether they are a gift from someone, or yourself. Sadly, flowers do not last as long as we’d like but with the right care you can extend the life of your flowers.
On average, floral arrangements last from 4 days to a week depending on the type of flowers. Different types of flowers require different care instructions. So, here is how you can take care of your flowers and keep your gift blooming for longer.
Some flowers come arranged, inserted in a brick of floral foam that is damp and filled with water. Occasionally mist your arrangement with water and top up the arrangement daily to make your flowers last longer. Take care not to overfill your arrangement with water. Ensure the brick of floral foam is not allowed to dry. Always place something under the arrangement to protect the surface of your furniture from water damage.
Remove the wrapping and trim any foliage below the water level. Leave the binding to hold the design together (and to make it easier to change the water in your vase). Trim 2cm off the base of your stems at a sharp angle and place your flowers in a clean vase. It’s important to make sure that it is rinsed, cleaned and dried to make sure there is no bacteria contamination left in the vase, as that will affect the flowers. The best way to clean your vase is with bleach, ensuring to rinse thoroughly after bleaching.
Choose a vase that is comfortable to the size of the bouquet and does not overcrowd the flowers. For most cut flowers, fill the vase with tepid water. Certain blooms like daffodils, gerberas, lilies, and tulips work as an exception to this as they prefer cold water. All flower and foliage stems should be submerged.
Every day or 2, give the flowers a fresh cut about 2cm from the ends of the stems at a sharp angle to give the stem a broader area to intake water for optimum hydration. Replace the water in your vase and clean it with bleach. This is a crucial step. If not cut, the flowers will sit on the bottom of the vase, preventing them from absorbing water. For best results, use a sharp knife and not scissors to cut your flowers because they can crush the stems and prevent water absorption.
Flowers will live longer if you avoid placing them in direct sunlight, heat, or on top of appliances such as heaters, fireplace, and microwaves. This can significantly shorten the lifespan of your cut flowers. Further to avoid wilting, make sure you place them away from fruits as some fruits discharge ethylene gas which can prematurely age flowers.
Every 2-3 days remove any dead flowers, wilting leaves or faded foliage as you see them in order to keep the rest of the flowers healthy. Change the water in your vase / vessel daily, or when it begins to look cloudy. Make sure your vessel / vase is about three-quarters full.
Lilies are commonly delivered in bud form as their petals are very easily bruised. By being delivered in this fresh bud form, it will also give the bouquet or arrangement a much longer life span. We suggest removing the pollen from lillies as it becomes visible. This will prevent staining of clothing, furniture, etc. This can be done with a tissue to ensure your fingers do not become stained. If your clothing becomes stained, the easiest way to remove the pollen is to dab the area with an adhesive tape. This will gently lift off the grains. If you rub it with a cloth, it will become embedded in the fabric.
Disclaimer: Lilies can be toxic to cats. Ensure they are out of reach of your pets.
Roses may be delivered with the outer petals, still attached, they are purposely left on by the florist to protect the rose in transit. Roses are highly sensitive to bacteria so it’s important to place them in clean vases with fresh water regularly. They also last longer in cool temperatures with indirect sunlight. If your roses start to droop at the head or wilt, you can revive them by re-cutting an inch from the base of the stem. A rose's stem should always be cut while being submerged in water. This stops air bubbles from forming in the stem.
Contrary to most cut flowers, tulips continue to grow. Tulips are best maintained in cool temperatures to extend their lifespan, but they are also the kind of blooms that tend to face and open wide towards any leading light source which may cause it to wilt or droop the flower head. If a tulip starts to droop or you spot any white ends on their stems, try pricking the stem just below the flower head with a pin to let out any air or cut 2cm from the base of the stem to help the flower absorb water easily. Trim the bottom of the stem regularly and refill and clean your vase every few days.
Gerberas are thirsty flowers, so always ensure they have plenty of water. Handle gerberas with care, their petals and stems can be delicate. Regularly check your gerberas for any wilting flowers and remove them immediately so the other gerberas aren’t affected. Gerberas don’t like heat, they prefer temperatures between 18 degrees – 24 degrees. Keep your gerberas in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, wind and heat sources. Gerberas don’t like to be crowded, so ensure there is sufficient room between each flower for air circulation. Overcrowding can cause your gerberas to deteriorate quicker.
Carnation stems are fragile and can break easily, so always handle them with care. Remove any foliage that will touch the water, if foliage is submerged it will cause bacteria and your flowers will deteriorate quickly. Carnations can be thirsty flowers so always ensure they have adequate water, particularly in warmer months. Carnations prefer moderate temperatures, away from wind, direct sunlight and heating sources. Carnations appreciate a light misting of water on their petals, but avoid misting the centre of the flower as this can cause mould and rot. Carnations are a long lasting flower and are a centuries old favourite of many people.
Native flowers are very easy to care for and can last quite some time. They require the water to be topped up each day, particularly in warmer weather. Choose a place for your native flowers that is out of direct sunlight, and away from wind and heat sources. Another useful tip is to choose a spot for your native flowers that is not near fruit (the ethylene gasses emitted from the fruit will cause your flowers to expire much more rapidly). When the foliage starts to wilt, simply remove it and keep the native flowers in a vase without water. They will dry out and can be enjoyed for years to come! Native flower stems can be woody and dense, so make sure the vase you choose is sturdy.
The Orchid is to the flower world as the diamond is to the jewellery world – precious and highly sought after. Singapore orchids can last quite some time as a cut flower if cared for correctly. Top up the water every day and mist the petals of the flower with water for the best results. The Singapore Orchid flower and petals can be delicate so avoid bumping or crushing the petals. Place your Singapore Orchids in a position that is free from wind, direct sunlight, and any heat source such as TV’s, microwaves, heaters, etc. Orchids prefer room temperate or slightly warm water as they are a tropical flower. Keep your Singapore orchids away from fruit as the ethylene gasses in the fruit will cause the orchids to expire a lot quicker.
If cared for correctly, Chrysanthemums can last up to 2 weeks or more. Upon receiving your Chrysanthemums in a bouquet, trim 1-2cm from the bottom of the stem on a sharp angle, with a sharp knife/scissors. Place immediately into a clean vase with fresh clean water. Ensure that any foliage that will touch the water is removed, if the foliage is not removed it will cause bacteria growth in the water, and your flowers will expire a lot quicker. If your Chrysanthemums arrive in a flower box arrangement, ensure you top up the water each day. Remove any wilting foliage or flowers as soon as possible so the other flowers don’t become affected. Place your Chrysanthemums in a place where they are out of direct sunlight, away from draughts and away from any heat source. Do not place Chrysanthemum’s near fruit as the ethylene gasses in the fruit will cause the flowers to wilt earlier.
If your alstromeria/peruvian lily flowers arrive in a bouquet, trim 1-2cm from the bottom of the stems at a sharp angle, with a sharp knife or scissors. Remove any foliage that will be touched by the water in your vase. Place the flowers into a clean vase of fresh water immediately. If your alstromeria arrive in a flower box arrangement, ensure the water is topped up each day. Sometimes you will receive alstromeria flowers that are still in bud, this doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with them, quite the opposite actually! This means you will get to enjoy them for as long as possible, and watch them open and bloom into the beautiful, delicate flowers that they are. Alstromeria flowers like a small amount of light, but don’t place them directly in sunlight. Alstromeria can be very sensitive to ethylene gasses, so make sure you store your flowers well away from fruit. If affected by ethylene gasses, the petals will have a significantly shorter vase life, the petals will become transparent, and fall off. As your alstromeria flowers age, remove any dying foliage and flowers to ensure the rest of your flowers remain unaffected.
Gladioli would have to be one of our favourite flowers! We hope that you will love them as much as we do. If your gladi’s arrive in a bouquet/bunch, trim 1-2cm from the bottom of the stems on a sharp angle, with a sharp knife/scissors. Repeat the trimming and clean vase/water process every 1-2 days to ensure you get the most from your gladi’s. If your gladi’s arrive in a box flower arrangement, simply top up the water each day. Remove any spent gladi flowers as they become visible, before they affect the other flowers. If your gladi’s arrive closed/still in bud, you will be able to watch in wonder over the next few days as they bloom open into the most glorious flowers. Choose a cool spot in your home for your gladi’s, somewhere that is away from direct sunlight, and away from any draughts or heat sources. Gladioli are sensitive to ethylene, so make sure you keep them away from fruit to avoid premature ageing.