How to Make Flowers Last Longer: Simple Tips That Work

Do you ever catch yourself asking “How long do flowers last?” Or, wondering how to make flowers last longer than a few days?

Fresh flowers can brighten up a room, make someone feel better, or just be a pleasant surprise for a friend. But without the right care, your flowers will start to wilt faster or lose their color and shape. To make them last longer, follow these five simple tips that work. 

The Vase:  

Whether someone gave you an arrangement or you just picked up a bouquet for yourself, usually the first step is putting them in a vase. But, most people do not realize that this can be the most important step in making your flowers last longer. 

When putting a new bouquet in a vase, make sure you are putting them in a clean vase. Wash your vase thoroughly and fill it with cool water. This is the foundation to ensuring a lasting beautiful flower arrangement! 

Trim Stems: 

One of the most common mistakes people will make after receiving flowers is not cutting the stems. Cut each stem at a 45-degree angle before putting it in a vase. This helps with water absorption and will prevent the stems from sitting flat at the bottom of the vase. 

When cutting, pay attention if there are any leaves on the stem that would hit below the waterline in the vase. If so, take them off. This can make your flowers last noticeably longer. 

The Right Environment:

Where you put your flowers is an essential part of making them last longer. They should be displayed in a cool environment, and not in front of windows or doors where there is direct sunlight. Direct sunlight on the flowers can cause dehydration, causing them to wilt faster. Being in a cooler environment helps preserve the color of the flower and helps maintain its shape. If placing the flowers in the kitchen or dining room table, keep them away from fruit. Fruit releases an ethylene gas that can speed up the flowers' decay. 

Change the Water: 

Giving your flowers fresh, clean water every 2-3 days is essential to making them last longer. Top the water off as needed, and if the water ever gets cloudy, dump all of it out and put new water in. Fresh water keeps your flowers hydrated while also preventing bacteria buildup. 

When changing the water, use cool, lukewarm water. Not too hot, not too cold. If the water is too hot, bacteria can start to grow. Using room-temperature water will help them last longer. 

Use Flower Food: 

Most bouquets come with a packet of flower food - and they don’t put it in there for no reason. Putting flower food in your bouquet makes your flowers stronger and gives them the nutrients they need to stay fresh longer. 

Flower food contains carbohydrates, acidifiers, and biocides. The carbohydrates feed it, the acidifiers hydrate it, and biocides ensure that the flowers are safe from the harmful microbes that a root system would normally protect it from. 

To effectively use flower food, make sure you are measuring the water to food ratio, changing the water and adding a new dosage of food every 2-3 days, and always re-trimming the steps every time you replenish the water. 

Conclusion: 

Everyone gets excited when they receive flowers. But that excitement doesn’t have to fade quickly. Following these five simple steps- using a clean vase, trimming the stems, putting them in the right environment, changing the water, and using flower food - will make your flowers last longer than you ever thought they could. 

Looking to buy someone in your life flowers or pick up an arrangement for yourself? Contact us today or stop by our store! We are here for you!