Stem cutting, water temperature, vase hygiene and placement: simple steps that add four to five days to cut flowers.
The vase life of cut flowers varies from four to fourteen days depending on type, but with proper care it can be extended noticeably. The ten steps below are collected from our designers' daily practice and work for all bouquet types.
The first 30 minutes at home
- Remove the packaging and untie the binding; strip leaves that would sit below the waterline.
- Cut stems 2–3 cm at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or scissors; do not use blunt scissors that crush the stem.
- Wash the vase in hot soapy water; bacteria are the biggest factor shortening flower life.
- Fill with room-temperature water (around 20 °C) and add the flower food that came with the bouquet.
In the following days
- Replace the water entirely every two days and trim stems by another centimetre.
- Keep the bouquet away from direct sunlight, radiators and fruit bowls; fruit gives off ethylene gas which wilts flowers quickly.
- Remove wilting flowers immediately; a single rotting bloom can affect the entire bouquet.
- For drooping necks on roses and hydrangea, holding the stem in hot water (60 °C) for one minute helps.
- Wrap bending flowers such as tulips in paper and rest them in cold water for two hours.
Myths
There is no scientific evidence that adding aspirin or coins to the water prolongs flower life. What works is clean water, a clean vase and flower food. A mix of sugar and vinegar can help in very small amounts, but overdosing increases bacteria.
Begonvil bouquets carry a seven-day freshness guarantee; if the flowers wilt early despite the care tips, send a photo to our WhatsApp line and we will send a new one.
Detailed care by flower
- Rose: remove thorns and leaves below the waterline; for drooping necks, putting the stem in 60 °C water for a minute usually works.
- Tulip: grows and bends in the vase; wrapping stems in paper and resting in cold water keeps the shape.
- Hydrangea: drinks through its head too; if it wilts, submerge the head in water for 30 minutes.
- Lily: remove pollen with tweezers as flowers open; it avoids stains and helps the flower last longer.
- Orchid: three ice cubes or 50 ml of water a week is enough; overwatering is the only cause of root rot.
When do you need a new bouquet?
However good the care, flowers have a natural lifespan. If more than half the blooms are wilting, the water smells and stems are softening, it is time to refresh. The survivors can go into a small short-stemmed vase or be dried and enjoyed for another month.