Flower care tips – how to keep your bouquet fresh longer

Step 1 – As soon as your bouquet arrives

What you do in the first few minutes makes a big difference to the flowers' lifespan. If you've just received a bouquet after ordering flowers online, you'll want to act quickly.

• Unpack immediately. Never leave flowers in plastic or paper any longer than necessary – they need air and water as soon as possible.
• Cut the stems. Cut off 2–3 cm at a 45-degree angle. The angled cut provides a larger surface area for water uptake. It's best to do this under running water or whilst the stems are submerged – this prevents air bubbles from blocking the water-conducting channels.
• Remove leaves below the water line. Leaves submerged in water rot quickly and create bacteria that clog the stems.
• Add flower food. If a sachet of flower food is included, use it. It contains sugar (nutrients), citric acid (lowers pH) and a bacterial inhibitor.

Step 2 – Correct placement

Where you place your flowers makes a big difference to their longevity:

• Cool and shaded. Flowers last longer at low temperatures – around 18–20 °C is ideal. Avoid sunny windowsills.
• Away from heat sources. Heaters, cookers and electronic devices emit heat that speeds up wilting.
• Away from fruit. Ripe fruit releases ethylene gas – a natural substance that accelerates ageing in flowers. Keep your vase away from fruit bowls and baskets.
• Avoid draughts. Cold air currents (for example from an open window or air conditioning) stress the flowers.
• Cool nights extend their lifespan. Place the bouquet in a cooler room at night – this slows down the metabolic process and keeps the flowers fresher for longer.

Step 3 – Daily Care

• Change the water every other day. Dirty water is the most common reason flowers wilt prematurely. Thoroughly clean the vase with each water change.
• Trim the stems with each water change. Cut off a further 1 cm – the vascular tubes can become blocked by biofilm and bacteria over time.
• Remove wilted flowers. Dead flowers release ethylene and accelerate wilting in those still fresh.

Would you like to send flowers to someone you care about? With proper care, your bouquet will stay beautiful for many days.

Specific tips for different flowers

Roses

• Always cut at an angle (45 degrees) – never straight across.
• Remove all thorns and leaves that fall below the water line.
• Are the roses drooping? Wrap them in damp newspaper and lay them in a bathtub filled with water for 30–60 minutes. They often perk up again.

Tulips

• Cut straight across – tulips do better without an angled cut.
• Cold water is best for tulips.
• Tulips continue to grow in the vase – the stem can become 5–10 cm longer. Choose a tall vase with support.
• A copper coin in the water inhibits bacterial growth.

Lilies

• Remove the stamens (the yellow pollen-bearing parts) immediately – pollen creates marks and can irritate.
• Lilies open gradually. Not all buds bloom at the same time.
• Important: Lilies are toxic to cats. Keep them out of reach of pets.

Sunflowers

• Sunflowers are thirsty – top up the water frequently.
• They like a bit more light than most other flowers – a bright room (but without direct sunlight) is ideal.

You can easily order flowers such as roses, tulips and sunflowers online – read more in our guide to sending flowers.

The secret behind flower food

The small packet of flower food that comes with a bouquet contains three active ingredients: sugar (nutrients for the flowers), citric acid (lowers the pH in the water and inhibits bacterial growth) and a biocide (bacteria-killing agent). The result is that flowers last considerably longer – often twice as long compared with tap water alone.

If you don't have flower food, you can make a simple homemade substitute: 1 tablespoon sugar + 1 teaspoon household vinegar + 1 litre of water.

Can you revive wilted flowers?

Sometimes! If the flowers look tired and droopy, but aren't completely dead, you can try this:

• Place them in a deep bath filled with cold water for 30–60 minutes – ideally with the entire flower submerged.
• Cut the stems well and then place them in fresh water with flower food.
• Place them somewhere cool (for example, a cold bathroom) for 2–3 hours.

It doesn't work every time, but it's often worth a try. Want to send flowers to someone who needs cheering up? See our selection of flowers online with delivery across the UK.