How to Keep Flowers Fresh: Tips for Bouquet Care
Fresh flowers bring beauty, fragrance, and joy to any space, but keeping them vibrant for as long as possible requires proper care. Whether you're displaying a bouquet from our farm or gifting one to a loved one, follow these simple steps to extend the life of your flowers and enjoy their beauty longer.
Secrets To longer-lasting Fresh flowers
Our quick cheatsheet gives you all the tips you need at a glance to keep your flowers fresh and beautiful for longer!
Start With a Clean Vase
Bacteria and fungi are the main culprits behind wilting flowers. To prevent them from shortening the lifespan of your bouquet, always start with a clean vase. Wash your vase with warm soapy water, and if necessary, use a mixture of bleach and water to disinfect it. A clean vase ensures that your flowers stay fresh and free from harmful microbes. Your vase should be clean enough to drink out of!
Give Your Stems a Fresh Cut
Before placing your flowers in a vase, trim each stem at a 45-degree angle using sharp scissors or pruning shears. The angled cut keeps the stems off the bottom of the vase, allowing them to absorb water more easily, helping flowers stay hydrated. Remove all leaves and debris from the stems that fall below the water. Repeat this process by trimming about an inch off every couple of days to remove any blocked or damaged stem ends.
Fresh Water for Fresh Flowers
Flowers drink a lot of water! Especially within the first day or two, a large flower arrangement can suck up most of the water in the vase. Keep the vase full to ensure flowers do not dry out and wilt. Water is essential for keeping flowers looking their best. Change the water in your vase every other day, ensuring it stays fresh and free from bacteria buildup. Clean the vase each time you replace the water to prevent microbial growth.
Flowers should drink water, so make sure you keep the vase full of fresh, clean water.
Feed Your Flowers
Flowers need nourishment even after being cut. Use the flower food packet that comes with your bouquet, which contains essential nutrients like sugar (for energy), citric acid (to balance pH), and a small amount of bleach (to prevent bacteria). Meter out the packet, using a little bit every time you change the water, to help with the longevity of your bouquet. If you run out or don’t have a flower food packet, make your own by mixing a teaspoon of sugar, a teaspoon of vinegar, and a few drops of bleach into a gallon of water.
Display in a Cool Spot
Cut flowers are sensitive to heat, so keep your bouquet away from direct sunlight, heaters, and vents. A cool, shaded area will help maintain moisture and prevent premature wilting. If you want your flowers to last even longer, consider placing them in the fridge overnight at around 40°F, ensuring no fruits are nearby (more on that below!).
Direct sunlight, and other warming sources, can cause flowers to wilt and dye prematurely.
Avoid Ripening Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas as they ripen, which speeds up the aging process of flowers. Keep your bouquet away from produce, especially apples, bananas, and tomatoes, to prevent premature wilting and drooping.
Storing Flowers for Events
If you're preparing flowers for a special occasion, proper storage is key. Keep bouquets in a cool area or refrigerator (above freezing) and ensure they have enough water to stay hydrated. If you’re transporting flowers, secure the vase in a snug box to prevent tipping, or wrap the stems in a damp paper towel if carrying them without water.
Order Long-Lasting Flowers
Starting with fresh, high-quality flowers makes all the difference. Our farm offers seasonal blooms that are locally grown, hand-picked, and delivered at peak freshness. Many times our flowers are cut hours before we sell them instead of days (or weeks) store bought flowers travel to get to you. By following these bouquet care tips, you can extend the life of your flowers and enjoy their beauty for days to come.
Ready to brighten your home with fresh flowers? Explore our seasonal bouquets today!
Take these tips with you in our printable guide…
Life gets busy, but keeping your home filled with fresh, vibrant flowers doesn’t have to be hard! We’ve created a Printable Flower Care Guide that makes it easy to keep your bouquets looking their best. Perfect for hanging on your fridge or near the sink, this quick guide gives you all the tips you need at a glance. Sign up here and we’ll send it straight to your inbox so you can enjoy longer-lasting blooms effortlessly!