Care tips for cut flowers â how to make them last longer
Avoid common mistakes and help your cut flowers last longer. With the right care, your bouquet can stay fresh for up to twice as long – sometimes even more! Here, the florist shares their best step-by-step tips for keeping your cut flowers in perfect condition.
How do I create good conditions for my bouquet?
Caring for cut flowers is mainly about clean water, proper trimming, and the right environment. Follow these simple steps and you’ll notice a big difference.
Use a clean vase
Always start with a clean, washed vase. Bacteria and residue from previous bouquets can cause new flowers to wilt faster.
Cut the stems correctly
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Use a sharp knife, not scissors.
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Make a diagonal cut, about 2–3 cm long.
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Trim the stems right before placing them in water. The angled cut improves water absorption and prevents the stems from sealing against the bottom.
Remove leaves below the waterline
Leaves left in the water decompose quickly and promote bacterial growth. Remove all leaves that would end up under the water level before placing the flowers in the vase.
Use flower food
Flower food contains sugar (for energy), acid (to balance pH), and an antibacterial agent.
No flower food at home? Make your own:
Homemade flower food:
1 liter of water + 1 teaspoon of sugar + 1 teaspoon of vinegar + 1 drop of dish soap.
Fill the vase with the right water
Most flowers prefer cold water.
Flowers with soft stems (like tulips) often like cold water, while roses and other firm-stemmed flowers prefer lukewarm water.
Change the water often
Replace the water every other day – ideally every day.
Rinse the vase and re-trim the stems slightly each time you change the water.
Choose the right spot for your cut flowers
Avoid placing your bouquet:
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in direct sunlight
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near heaters or drafts
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near fruit (ethylene gas from fruit causes flowers to wilt faster)
Specific care tips for different types of flowers
Roses
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Cut the stems diagonally under running water.
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Remove the lower leaves.
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Place them in lukewarm water with flower food.
Tulips
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Keep them cool, wrapped in paper, for 30 minutes before placing them in a vase.
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Fill the vase with cold water – just a few centimeters.
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Change the water daily.
Lilies
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Remove the stamens once the flower has opened to help it last longer.
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Tolerate heat better than many other cut flowers.
Daffodils (Narcissus)
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Release a sap that is toxic to other flowers.
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Let them stand alone in water for at least 1 hour before mixing them with other varieties.
Common questions about cut flowers and care tips
Preferably every day – especially if the water starts to look cloudy.
It could be due to bacteria in the stems, old cut surfaces, or because the bouquet is placed near fruit.
Yes, but if your water is very hard (high in lime), let it sit for an hour before using it.
To improve water absorption – the angled cut gives a larger surface area and prevents the stem from sealing.
Yes – especially for tulips and other spring flowers that prefer cooler temperatures.
Bonus: Checklist for longer-lasting flowers
â
Clean the vase thoroughly before use to prevent bacteria.
âď¸ Cut the stems at an angle right before placing the bouquet in the vase – this improves water absorption.
đ Remove any leaves below the waterline to prevent them from rotting and spreading bacteria.
đ§ Fill the vase with cold or lukewarm water mixed with flower food immediately after cutting the stems.
đ Change the water and re-trim the stems slightly every day or every other day for the best longevity.
đĄď¸ Keep the bouquet in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and fruit.
đ Move the bouquet to a cooler spot at night – it helps the flowers rest and stay fresh longer.
Myths vs. Facts About Cut Flowers
Myth: Aspirin makes flowers last longer
Fact: Not really – it can have a small effect, but flower food works much better.
Myth: Sugar alone is enough as flower food
Fact: Not without acid and antibacterial ingredients to balance it.
Myth: Warm water always helps
Fact: Only for flowers with hard stems – for most others, it has the opposite effect.
Summary
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Re-cut the stems as soon as you get the flowers home.
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Change the water often, keep the vase clean, and use flower food.
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Avoid fruit, heat, and dirt.
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Let the bouquet rest in a cool place overnight.
Follow these steps and you’ll extend the lifespan of your cut flowers by several days – sometimes even over a week.
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