How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer: 10 Simple Tips
Keep your bouquet fresh for longer with these 10 simple care tips, from trimming stems and clean water to the best spot in your home.
A fresh bouquet can brighten a room for a week or more, but a few small habits decide whether it lasts five days or ten. These ten tips work for almost every flower, from roses to tulips.
1. Unwrap and check the stems
As soon as your bouquet arrives, remove the wrapping and any string or band that may pinch the stems. Look over the flowers and take out anything damaged.
2. Start with a clean vase
Bacteria are the main enemy of cut flowers. Wash the vase with warm water and soap before you use it, even if it looks clean.
3. Recut the stems
Trim 1 to 2 centimetres from the bottom of each stem at an angle, using a sharp knife or scissors. This opens fresh tissue so the flower can drink properly.
4. Strip leaves below the water line
Leaves left in water rot and cloud it quickly. Remove everything that would sit below the surface.
5. Use lukewarm water and flower food
Fill the vase with lukewarm water and add the flower food that came with your bouquet. It provides nutrients and helps keep the water cleaner.
6. Change the water often
Replace the water every one to two days, and recut the stems slightly each time if you can. Fresh water makes a visible difference.
7. Choose the right spot
Keep flowers in a cool place away from direct sunlight, radiators and draughts. Warmth makes flowers open and fade faster.
8. Keep them away from ripe fruit
Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which speeds up ageing in cut flowers. Keep your bouquet away from the fruit bowl.
9. Remove fading flowers
One tired flower can shorten the life of the rest. Take out wilted stems as soon as you notice them, and the remaining flowers will look better for longer.
10. Give tulips a little extra attention
Tulips keep growing after they are cut and bend towards the light. Use a tall vase, cool water and turn the vase from time to time to keep them upright. Browse our tulips for spring colour.
Need something that lasts longer?
If you would rather give a gift that lasts for months, consider a potted plant or a bloom box. Or pick a fresh hand bouquet and put these tips to work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Every one to two days is ideal. Clean water slows down bacteria, which are the main reason stems stop drinking.
Tulips keep growing after they are cut and lean towards light, so they can bend. Recut the stems, use cool water and rotate the vase regularly.
Yes, if it came with your bouquet. It feeds the flowers and helps keep the water clean.
In a cool spot away from direct sunlight, heaters and ripe fruit, which releases a gas that makes flowers age faster.
Shop related products
Flowers and gifts that go with this article. Delivery is a flat €7 anywhere in Germany.
Magnificent Elegance - Lovely Pink White BouquetEUR 220
Sunrise Song FAEUR 142
Summer FeelingEUR 79
Cheerful mixed flowers Best wishesEUR 83
