The Care and Keeping of Flowers
Professional Tips to Make Your Flowers Last
Want your beautiful bouquet to last more than just a few days? Whether one of our subscription or special order bouquets, or flowers that you snipped from our own backyard, these simple floral care tips will keep your cut flowers fresher, longer—no professional florist required
1. Use a Clean Vase
Always start with a clean vase that has been washed well with soap and water. Choose one that allows the flowers to spread out a bit. (Like me, flowers don’t like to be crowded.)
💡 Why it matters: The #1 cause of early flower death is bacteria in the water, which clogs the stems and prevents them from drinking. Just like you, flowers are thirsty—but they can’t haul an extra Stanley around!
2. Remove Extra Foliage
Trim off any leaves that will be inside the vase.
💡 Why it matters: Submerged foliage breaks down and encourages bacterial growth, and as we learned, bacteria is what kills flowers the fastest.
3. Trim the Stems
Trim about ½" to 1" from the bottom of your bouquet and put them directly into fresh, clean water in the freshly cleaned vase.
💧 How much water? I like to keep 3–4" in there. You want all the stems to have a chance to drink, but the higher the water level, the more likely stems get soggy and grow bacteria. And bacteria = bad, right?
Don’t drown them—but do make sure they won’t dry out.
4. Change the Water Regularly
I bet you already know what I’m going to say: we have to change the water because… it grows bacteria, and bacteria will kill our flowers!
I try to change the water in my vases every day (It’s a goal, not always a reality). Dump all the water out, rinse the vase, refill, and pop the flowers back in. The flowers can hang out on the counter for a few seconds while you do this.
🌸 Bonus Tip: Regular water changes = no “dead swamp smell” after two weeks. Gross. The memory of that smell alone is usually enough to remind me to change the water!
5. Keep Flowers Out of Sunlight and Drafts
Is there anything more beautiful than a jar of sweet peas or dahlias sitting in a pool of sunlight as it spills through lace curtains? Doubtful.
BUT, if you want long-lasting flowers, keep them out of direct sunlight. They also don’t do well in drafts—whether from an air conditioner or a heater. It dries them out and... let’s say it together: “Flowers need water!”
That’s About It!
If you do these five things, you’ll be rewarded with long-lasting cut flowers that bring peace and joy every time you look at them.
Bonus Tips for Flower Nerds (and Type A's)
💐 Flower Food?
People often ask if they should add flower food. You can—it helps a little, but not much, especially if you’re adding fresh, clean water every day.
A big component of flower "food" is actually bleach, to keep bacteria at bay. That’s why it makes the biggest difference in places where the water can’t or won’t be changed regularly (like a hotel lobby). And while your kids may sometimes make you feel like you’re running a hotel...
✂️ Re-Cut the Stems?
People also ask if they should re-cut the stems when changing the water. Again, you can. Taking ½" off reopens the stems and helps them drink.
But if the thought of finding your snips and cleaning up all the bits (Why do mine always end up under the counter?) keeps you from changing the water—skip the trim. Water is way more important.
Changing the water is far more important.
🎨 Play With Your Flowers
One final bonus tip: I love whimsical and unusual flowers that you can’t find at the grocery store—or even the florist. Some don’t last as long in a vase. On the other hand, I always include a few buds that will open throughout the week.
Instead of tossing the bouquet when one flower dies, or leaving a sad, half-dead bloom in the middle of the happy ones, take a moment when changing the water to remove any spent flowers.
Your bouquet will evolve through the week and always look fresh and beautiful. Plus, research shows that handling flowers releases feel-good chemicals that reduce stress and brighten your mood. And hey, Flowers are cheaper than therapy!
(That’s a great line to keep in your pocket for the next time your husband gives you the side-eye when you walk in with yet another bouquet.)
Wrap-Up
By following these five simple steps, plus a few bonus tricks, your fresh flowers will stay beautiful and happy longer—and so will you.
✅ Flower Care Recap Checklist
Clean Vase
Remove extra foliage
Trim stems
Change water daily
Keep out of sun and drafts
Optional: flower food and re-trimming
Bonus: play with and refresh your bouquet