Which cut flowers last longest in a vase?
We rank 13 common cut flowers by how long they last — based on data from our own care guides. With the right care you can often double a bouquet's life.
How long a bouquet lasts depends on three things: the flower's natural vase life, how fresh the stems are when you buy them, and your care at home. Two good roses can be gone after four days or last two weeks — the difference is almost always the care.
Quick overview — top 5 most durable
- 🥇CarnationUp to 14 days with good care.
- 🥈Sunflower7–14 days. Remove leaves below the waterline.
- 🥉Roses7–14 days. Cut diagonally under water.
- ⭐Lily, Asiatic10–14 days. Trim away the pollen anthers.
- ⭐Daffodil, whiteWhite varieties last much longer than the yellow ones.
Vase life compared — 13 common cut flowers
The bar's length and colour reflect the maximum vase life with good care. Dark green = 14+ days, light green = 7–10, yellow = 5–7, red = under a week.
Want to order a bouquet that lasts long?
We help you choose flowers that hold up best — delivery across the UK, often the same day.
Five things that decide how long your bouquet lasts
Whatever flower you choose, these five factors influence durability the most. Master them and vase life often doubles compared to 'just water'.
Cut the stems immediately
Use a sharp knife or florist scissors. Cut 2–3 cm diagonally (straight for tulips) — preferably under running water so air bubbles don't get trapped.
Remove leaves below water
Leaves in the water rot quickly and build bacteria that clog the stems' vessels. Shortens vase life a lot.
Change water every two days
Don't just top up — change the whole water, rinse the vase and cut stems slightly shorter each time. Often gives double durability.
Cool and away from sun
18–20°C is ideal. Direct sunlight, radiators and draughty spots shorten life sharply. Move the bouquet to a cool room at night if you can.
Not near fruit
Ripening fruit gives off ethylene — a gas that speeds up flower aging. Sounds odd but can cost several days of vase life.
Use the flower food
The sachet that comes with includes sugar, citric acid and a biocide. Measurably extends vase life — often doubles compared to plain water.
A bouquet's life cycle — what to do when?
A bouquet goes through several phases from fresh to done. Here's what you do (or watch for) at each phase to keep it at its best as long as possible.
Timeline for a bouquet — day 0 to day 14
Times apply to durable flowers (roses, carnations, Asiatic lilies) with good care. Short-lasting flowers (tulip, hydrangea) move through phases faster.
Six flowers to choose for the longest durability
Want a bouquet guaranteed to hold up nearly two weeks? Pick one of these — or let us combine several into one bouquet.
Frequently asked questions
Which cut flower lasts absolutely longest in a vase?
Carnations are one of the most durable cut flowers and can last up to 14 days with good care. Sunflowers, roses, Asiatic lilies and white daffodils can also reach two weeks if water is changed often and stems are cut regularly.
How do I keep the bouquet fresh longer?
Cut stems diagonally as soon as you get home, remove all leaves below the waterline, use the flower food sachet that came with it, change water every two days and place the bouquet cool away from sun, fruit and heat sources. That can double the bouquet's life.
Why do my flowers last such a short time?
Most common causes: stems not cut on arrival, leaves in the water (creates bacteria), water not changed often enough, or bouquet in sun / by heat source / near fruit (ethylene from ripening fruit ages flowers faster).
Is there a difference in vase life between florist and supermarket?
Usually yes. Flowers from a florist have often been in the cold chain and are handled with more care. Supermarket flowers are sometimes older when they reach you. Fresh stems with closed buds and firm green leaves are a good indicator regardless of shop.
Does the flower food sachet really help?
Yes, measurably. The powder contains sugar (nutrition), citric acid (lowers pH and slows bacteria) and a biocide. With flower food the flowers often last twice as long as in plain water.
How do I cut the stems correctly?
Use a sharp knife or florist scissors (not regular scissors — they crush the vessels). Cut diagonally 2–3 cm from the bottom, preferably under running water. Tulips are the exception: cut them straight.
Should I change water or just top up?
Change the whole water every two days, not just top up. Rinse the vase and cut stems slightly shorter each time. Just topping up lets bacteria accumulate and shortens the bouquet's life sharply.
Does temperature matter?
Yes, a lot. Ideal 18–20°C. Sunlight, radiators and draughty spots shorten life sharply. Moving the bouquet to a cool room at night can extend durability by several days.
What's meant by flowers being affected by fruit?
Ripening fruit gives off the gas ethylene, which speeds up the aging of cut flowers — buds open and wilt faster. Never place the bouquet on the same surface as e.g. bananas, apples or tomatoes.
Can I use household tricks instead of flower food?
There are many tricks — e.g. a teaspoon of sugar plus a few drops of lemon, or a coin in the vase. They work mediocrely. A proper flower food powder is clearly better documented and cheap; save the sachet that comes with and dose per instructions.
Order a bouquet that lasts long
We help you choose flowers with long vase life — and deliver them fresh, often the same day across the UK.
See all our bouquetsMore guides you may find useful
Sources. All vase-life numbers come from FlowerDeliveryNow.co.uk's own care guides and represent the upper bound at optimal care. Actual results vary by flower, delivery and home environment.