Our Go-To Flower Care Guide: How to Make Any Bunch Last Longer

Got a bunch of beautiful blooms sitting pretty at home? We don't blame you for wanting to keep them that way.

While flowers won't last forever (sadly), a little flower care can go a long way. With a few simple tricks, you can keep your fresh flowers looking their best for a week or more - and give yourself plenty more time to stop and smell the roses.

Whether you've just had a flower delivery land on your doorstep or picked up a bunch just because (honestly, we approve), here's everything you need to know about how to make your flowers last longer.

Why Do Cut Flowers Wilt?

Once flowers are cut from the plant, they no longer have access to the water and nutrients they were getting while growing. From there, it's up to their vase to keep them hydrated and happy.

Bacteria in the water, blocked stems, heat and even the fruit bowl on your kitchen bench can all speed up the ageing process.

Luckily, there's plenty you can do to help your blooms stay fresh, perky and looking their best.

1. Give Your Flower Stems a Fresh Trim

First things first: give those stems a haircut.

When your flowers arrive, trim around 2–3cm from the bottom of each stem using clean, sharp scissors or a knife.

A few things to remember:

• Cut on an angle. A 45-degree cut gives the stem more surface area to drink up water.
• Use sharp, clean scissors.Blunt scissors can crush the stems, making it harder for them to absorb water.
• Give them another trim every couple of days.Fresh cuts help your flowers keep drinking as they should.

Think of it as a little maintenance appointment for your bouquet. No salon blow-dry required.

2. Remove Any Leaves Below the Waterline

Before your flowers go into their vase, remove any leaves that would sit below the water.

Leaves submerged in water can start to break down and encourage bacteria to grow. And bacteria-filled vase water? Not exactly the five-star accommodation your flowers were hoping for.

Keeping the water clean helps your blooms stay fresher for longer.

3. Use Fresh Water (and Flower Food If You Have It)

Fill your vase with clean, room-temperature or lukewarm water before adding your flowers.

If your bouquet comes with flower food, pop it in. It's there for a reason! Flower food helps provide nutrients while also helping keep the water in better condition.

No flower food? Don't panic. Fresh, clean water is still one of the best things you can give your blooms.

And whatever you do, don't let your flowers sit in old, cloudy water. They have standards.

4. Change the Water Every Two Days

This is one of the easiest ways to keep your flowers happy — and it takes about two minutes.

Every couple of days:

1. Empty the vase.
2. Give it a quick rinse and clean.
3. Refill with fresh water.
4. Trim the stems again.
5. Pop your flowers back in and enjoy.

If the water starts looking cloudy before two days are up, don't wait. Give it a change.

Your flowers will thank you for it. Probably not verbally, but you get the idea.

5. Find Your Flowers a Cool Spot

Flowers generally prefer to keep things cool, so think carefully about where you place your vase.

Try to keep your bouquet away from:

• Direct sunlight
• Heaters and fireplaces
• Air-conditioning vents
• Draughty doorways
• Hot appliances

Instead, choose a cool spot with plenty of indirect light. A dining table, bedside table or kitchen bench can all work beautifully - just keep them away from any serious heat.

6. Keep Your Bouquet Away From the Fruit Bowl

Here's one that might surprise you: your fruit bowl and your flowers aren't necessarily besties.

Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which can speed up the ageing process in flowers. So if you've got a beautiful bouquet and a bowl of ripening bananas competing for bench space, give them some distance.

Your flowers will appreciate the personal space.

7. Get to Know Your Blooms

Different flowers have different personalities and, just like people, some are a little thirstier than others.

Here are a few tips for some of our favourites:

Roses: Give them a fresh angled cut and plenty of clean water. Remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline.

Tulips: These beauties can continue growing after they've been cut, so don't be surprised if they start reaching in different directions. Keep them somewhere cool and give the stems a fresh trim when needed.

Native flowers: Natives like proteas, banksias and kangaroo paw are generally hardy blooms and can have an impressively long vase life with the right care.

Sunflowers:Big blooms, big thirst. Check their water regularly, they can get through more than you might expect.

Not sure what's in your bunch? Many of our seasonal flowers and native flowers come with a handy care card, so you'll know exactly how to keep your blooms looking their best.

8. Choose Fresh Flowers From the Start

Good flower care starts before your bouquet even reaches the vase.

Where flowers are grown and how far they've travelled can have an impact on how fresh they are when they arrive. Flowers that have spent less time in transit can have more vase life left to enjoy once they reach your door.

So, when you're choosing your next bunch, it's worth considering where your flowers have come from  and choosing fresh, quality blooms whenever you can.

How Long Do Fresh Flowers Last?

Wondering how long your bouquet should last?

With the right care, many mixed bouquets can last around a week, while hardier varieties such as natives, chrysanthemums and carnations can stick around for even longer.

More delicate flowers, such as tulips and buttercups, may have a shorter vase life, but that's part of their charm.

The best thing you can do? Keep the water fresh, trim those stems and give your flowers a happy home.