How to Make Your Flowers Last Longer

The new year is a great time to start a healthy habit. This year I’m encouraging you to improve your well-being by having a flower-filled year. Scientific research has proven that having flowers around you will boost your mood, brighten your environment, decrease your anxiety, improve your sleep, increase your productivity, and strengthen your memory. 

My goal is to provide you with a year’s worth of information and inspiration on all things floral, to help you be successful with your resolution.

To be able to keep your resolution for a whole year, you need to be interested in what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. For the month of January, I’m going to share with you things I’ve learned over the years that will make buying flowers as easy and engaging for you as possible.

How to make your flowers last longer:

When you invest money and time in flowers, you want to make sure you give them the longest vase-life possible. This requires some basic flower care. The level of care you need to give depends on if you buy a bunch of flowers, a bouquet, or a flower arrangement. (If you’re not sure of the difference between a bunch, bouquet, or arrangement, you’ll find that information HERE. )

Flower Arrangement:

A flower arrangement doesn’t require much care at all. Place your arrangement away from any heat sources or drafts and add water to your arrangement every two days.

Bouquet:

If you have a bouquet of flowers, once home carefully remove all packaging, recut stems at an angle, and place in a vase of clean water. Every two days, empty the vase and refill it with fresh water. Re-cutting the stems is also a good idea. (I do this about every second time I change the water.)

Bunch of Flowers:

If you’ve bought a ‘bunch’ of flowers, they require a bit more work - which is why they usually cost less than an arrangement or a bouquet - but it also gives you the opportunity for some hands-on care and creativity.

Here are the steps you need to follow: (Take special note of step #5. This is the least well-known step but it’s a vital part of the process.)

1 - Carefully remove all packaging and elastics from your flowers.

2 - Remove all leaves from the stems that will sit below the water line to prevent them from rotting in the water.

3  - De-thorn any stems that need it.

4 -Recut all stems at an angle with a sharp knife or scissors.

5 - Place your freshly cut stems in a bucket of clean water and leave in a cool place for a couple of hours. You want the flowers to have a long drink before they are brought into a warmer environment.

6 - Once hydrated, recut stems and place directly in a vase or container of clean water.

7 - When you’re finished arranging your flowers (see note below about flower arranging*), put them on display in an area away from heat sources and drafts.

8 - Every two days, empty the vase, and refill with fresh water. Re-cutting the stems is also a good idea. (As mentioned above, I do this about every second time I change the water.)

To Note:

• Flowers are all different and last different amounts of time. As flowers fade, remove those stems. ‘Downsizing’ your arrangement like this will keep the rest of the flowers looking fresh and beautiful.

• Make sure your vases are clean. I run my vases through the dishwasher, but alternatively, you can hand wash them with hot water and a splash of bleach.

* If you’re new to arranging flowers, make sure you’re following ‘The Floral Prescription’, in February. I’ll be sharing everything you need to know about arranging flowers at home.

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