A beautiful bouquet deserves to last as long as possible. With a little care, fresh-cut flowers can stay vibrant well beyond the average five to seven days. Here's what our design team at Nashville Floral Company recommends to get the most life out of every arrangement.
Trim the Stems at an Angle
Before placing flowers in water, use sharp scissors or a floral knife to cut about an inch off each stem at a 45-degree angle. A fresh, angled cut exposes more surface area for water absorption and prevents the stem from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase, which can block water uptake. Re-trim stems every two to three days for the best results.
Use Clean Water and Change It Often
Bacteria in the water is one of the biggest reasons flowers wilt early. Start with a clean vase, fill it with lukewarm water, and change the water completely every two days -- rinsing the vase each time. Cloudy water is a sign it's time for a change.
Feed Your Flowers
The small packet of flower food that comes with your bouquet isn't just an extra -- it contains sugar to nourish the blooms, acid to balance the water's pH, and an antibacterial agent to slow bacterial growth. If you've misplaced it, a homemade mix of one part lemon-lime soda, three parts water, and a few drops of bleach works as a substitute.
Keep Them Cool and Out of Direct Sunlight
Heat speeds up the wilting process, so keep your arrangement away from direct sunlight, heating vents, ceiling fans, and the top of the refrigerator or television. A cool spot out of direct light will help blooms stay fresh several days longer. If possible, moving flowers to a cooler room overnight can also extend their life.
Remove Wilting Blooms and Leaves Below the Waterline
Any leaves sitting below the waterline will break down and encourage bacteria growth, so strip them off before placing stems in the vase. As the days pass, remove any blooms that begin to wilt or drop petals -- this keeps the rest of the arrangement looking fresh and prevents decaying material from affecting the water.
Flower-Specific Care Tips
- Roses -- Remove any thorns and guard petals below the waterline, and re-cut stems every few days.
- Lilies -- Gently remove the pollen-heavy stamens to prevent staining and to help the blooms last longer.
- Hydrangeas -- These are thirsty flowers; if they droop, try submerging the whole bloom in water for a few minutes to revive it.
- Tulips -- Keep them in shallow, cold water and expect them to keep growing slightly even after being cut.
Shop Fresh Flowers in Nashville
Every arrangement from Nashville Floral Company is hand-designed with fresh, high-quality flowers, so you're starting with the best possible foundation. Browse our full flower collection online, or call us at (615) 724-7911 for same-day delivery across Nashville and Middle Tennessee.