Use room temperature water.

Did you know that flowers can be quite sensitive to temperature? If you expose them to cold temperatures, it can actually damage the cells in their stems, which can make it harder for them to take in water and nutrients. However, there are some flowers, like tulips, that actually benefit from being placed in cold water. This can help to slow down their growth and keep them looking fresh for longer.

If you are unsure about what your flowers need, it’s generally a good idea to stick with room temperature water. This will help to prevent damage to the stems and ensure that the flowers can drink up the water they need to stay healthy and vibrant.

Quickly remove loose leaves and petals from the vase.

Another tip is making sure there no remaining foliage or dead leaves in or below the waterline. Decaying foliage deposits harmful bacteria into the water. As we say in-store, “leaves cause disease”.

Re-cut the stems every 2-3 days.

Even though you may have already cut the stems of your flowers once, it is important to re-cut them every 2-3 days. Cutting the stems opens up the channels that allow water to flow up the stems easily, but over time, these channels become clogged with air bubbles and bacteria. Recutting the stems removes these blockages and avoids bacterial rot. Once the stems are cut, place them immediately in your vase of water to avoid them drying out.

Change the water once every 2 days.

As you now know, the only thing keeping our flowers fresh is their ability to absorb water. Bacteria block these water channels to our beautiful blooms. Flower vases provide a warm, moist environment perfect for bacteria, which is why it is important to change the water every two days to prevent bacterial growth. This is also a good time to recut your flower stems before placing them back into the fresh water if you need help remembering.

Keep flowers in a cool area protected from wind.

Flowers love water because they are constantly drying out. This is why it is important to place your flowers in a cool location, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Don’t go cranking the air conditioner, though! It will reduce the lifespan of fresh-cut flowers by drying out the air even further. Simply place your flowers away from open windows or areas with nearby appliances, as a light breeze will dry out flowers and cause them to wilt. Here in Perth, we have a strong afternoon wind that we call the Fremantle doctor. It is certainly not a flower doctor.

Use a floral preservative to inhibit bacterial growth.

A floral preservative can extend the vase life of your flowers dramatically, thanks to a combination of ingredients that help to nourish the flowers, inhibit bacterial growth, and lower the pH of the water to make it more acidic, which can aid in water uptake by the stems.

A Home Recipe for Flower Preservative:

• 4 cups of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of sugar

The sugar provides the flowers with energy to help them bloom and grow, while the vinegar or lemon juice helps to lower the pH of the water to inhibit bacterial growth and aid in water uptake by the stems.

Use flower food to keep nutrients flowing up to the petals.

Flower food or plant food can be used for an extra boost in nutrients to keep the flowers fresh. Please keep in mind, one flower food sachet can last a whole week with a few sprinkles used each time you change your water.

Looking for flowers that require minimal care? Try a flower arrangement!

Flowers arranged in foam in a ceramic pot or hatbox can be a great option if you are looking for minimal care. Flower arrangements come in their vessel, so there is no need to fuss about finding a vase or cutting your flower stems. 

Check out our blog post on caring for flower arrangements. Click the link below.