Our Ultimate Guide to Caring For Your Flowers Properly19 August 2025There’s something a bit special about walking into a room and being greeted by a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers. Whether it’s a surprise delivery, a treat for yourself, or a thoughtful gift, those blooms deserve to be looked after properly. But let’s be honest, caring for cut flowers isn’t always second nature. If you’ve ever wondered why your flowers wilt within a couple of days or struggled to get your vase arrangement to last the week, you’re not alone. Luckily, with a few simple tricks, you can help your bouquet last longer and look better, without too much faff. In this guide, we’re sharing our top tips on cut flower care, straight from the Julie’s Flowers team. Whether you’ve just picked up a bunch from our fresh flowers collection or had a delivery arrive at your doorstep, these flower care tips will help keep your blooms fresher for longer. Why Does Flower Care Matter? Cut Flower Care: The Basics How to Care For Cut Flowers in a Vase Tips for Specific Flower Types Seasonal Flower Care Tips Common Flower Care Mistakes Why Does Flower Care Matter? Looking after your flowers properly isn’t just about making them look nice (though that’s a bonus!). It’s about protecting your investment, reducing waste, and getting the most enjoyment from your bouquet. Here’s why proper flower care makes a difference: Longer life - Care extends the freshness of your blooms Better value - A well-looked-after bunch won’t need replacing as quickly Sustainability - Less waste and fewer replacements Aesthetic boost - Happy flowers = a happier home Sentimental value - Flowers often hold meaning, so you want to make that moment last 11 Golden Rules of Cut Flower Care Nothing lifts a room like a fresh bouquet. But if you want your flowers to stay beautiful for as long as possible, it’s not just about popping them in water – proper care makes all the difference. Here are the 11 essential rules for cut flower care: 1. Unwrap and Trim Immediately Firstly, remove all packaging (paper, string, plastic, cellophane). Use clean, sharp scissors or secateurs to cut 1–2cm off each stem at a 45° angle, do this under running water or in a bowl of water to stop air bubbles blocking the stems. Why it works: Fresh cuts + angled stems = maximum water absorption. 2. Remove Any Lower Leaves Strip away leaves that will sit below the waterline, this is because leaves in water quickly rot, causing bacteria that shorten vase life. Why it works: Cleaner water = healthier flowers. 3. Use a Sparkling Clean Vase Wash your vase with hot, soapy water before use. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all residue. Why it works: Bacteria from an old vase is one of the biggest “flower killers.” 4. Add Fresh Water and Flower Food Fill your vase with room temperature water, and add the flower food sachet that comes with most bouquets. No sachet? Try a DIY mix: 1 teaspoon sugar (feeds the flowers) 2–3 drops bleach or vinegar (slows bacteria growth) Why it works: Balanced nutrients and clean water keep blooms perky. 5. Refresh Every 2–3 Days Replace the water every 2–3 days, and re-trim stems slightly each time for better water uptake. Why it works: Fresh water stops bacteria build-up, giving your flowers a second life. 6. Keep Away from Direct Heat & Sun Avoid radiators, sunny windowsills, or warm kitchens. Extreme heat causes wilting and shortens vase life. Why it works: Flowers last longest in cool, shaded spots. 7. Avoid Drafts and Cold Just as heat is harmful, so are draughts from open windows or air conditioning. Sudden temperature changes stress delicate blooms. Why it works: Stable room temperatures = happy flowers. 8. Don’t Place Near Fruit Ripening fruit (especially bananas, apples, pears) releases ethylene gas. Ethylene speeds up flower aging, causing petals to drop sooner. Why it works: Keep your bouquet separate from your fruit bowl. 9. Mist Petals Lightly A fine mist of water helps keep flowers hydrated, especially delicate varieties like orchids, roses, and hydrangeas. Do this in the morning so petals dry by evening. Why it works: Extra moisture keeps blooms looking fresh and supple. 10. Remove Fading Flowers As soon as you notice a flower wilting, remove it from the vase. Dying flowers release bacteria and gases that shorten the life of the rest. Why it works: Protects the bouquet so healthy stems thrive longer. 11. Support Top-Heavy Stems If your flowers are a bit floppy, use floral wire or tape to support them. You can also group stems closer together to offer mutual support. Why it works: It protects your bouquet as well as ensuring they look stunning for longer. If you’re asking “how do I keep cut flowers fresh longer?” – the answer is simple: fresh cuts, clean water, cool placement, and regular refreshes. Follow these 11 golden rules, and your bouquet will reward you with days (sometimes weeks!) of beauty. Care Tips for Specific Flower Types Not all flowers are created equal. Here’s how to give your favourites blooms some extra care to ensure they last longer, and thrive while doing so: Roses Remove the outer “guard petals” for a neater look. Keep them well-hydrated, they drink a lot! Re-cut stems every few days. Lilies Carefully remove the pollen stamens to avoid stains. Keep away from pets, especially cats, as lilies are toxic. Tulips These will continue to grow in the vase! Use a tall vase to support their bendy stems. Keep them somewhere cool to prevent drooping. Sunflowers Prefer slightly warmer water. Keep away from breezy windows or direct draughts. Gerberas Super sensitive to bacteria, a clean vase is a must. Cut the stems every couple of days and use fresh water. Seasonal Flower Care Tips Flowers change with the seasons, and so should your care routine. Adjusting how you look after your bouquet throughout the year will help your blooms stay fresher for longer. Spring Early spring flowers such as daffodils and tulips are delicate and sensitive to cold air. Keep them away from drafts and open windows. Be cautious with daffodils: they release a sap that can shorten the life of other flowers. If you want to include them in a mixed bouquet, soak the stems separately in water for a few hours first. Spring tip: handle gently and keep in cool, stable conditions. Summer Warm weather speeds up evaporation, so top up vase water daily and use slightly cool water to slow wilting. Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators, or hot kitchens where heat will cause them to fade more quickly. Summer tip: hydration is key – keep flowers well-watered and cool. Autumn Autumn arrangements often feature robust blooms like sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and asters. These last well but still need care. Watch for drooping stems and refresh the water frequently. Trimming stems again can also extend vase life. Autumn tip: earthy seasonal flowers stay vibrant with fresh stems and clean water. Winter Central heating can dry flowers out quickly in winter. Place vases away from radiators, fireplaces, or other sources of heat. Use lukewarm water rather than cold to avoid shocking the stems and to help them absorb water more easily. Winter tip: maintain consistent moisture and avoid extreme temperatures. Common Flower Care Mistakes Even the best intentions can lead to common flower faux pas. Avoid these to get the most from your bouquet: Forgetting to trim stems - straight-cut stems block water uptake. Using dirty vases - bacteria kills flowers faster than anything else. Leaving leaves in water - this promotes rot and shortens vase life. Ignoring wilting flowers - one wilting bloom can bring down the rest. Putting flowers near fruit or heat - ethylene gas and warmth will speed up decay. Key Takeaways for Cut Flower Care Cut stems at a 45° angle under water Always remove leaves below the waterline Use clean water, clean vases, and flower food Keep bouquets away from heat, fruit, and direct sun Refresh water and trim stems every couple of days Learn your flower types, some need special care Frequently Asked Questions How do I care for flowers in a vase? Trim the stems at an angle, place them in a clean vase with fresh water, and avoid direct heat or sun. Change the water every few days and re-trim the stems to keep the blooms hydrated. What’s the best way to make cut flowers last longer? Use flower food, keep water clean, avoid warm spots, and snip away dead blooms. Refresh water regularly and always use a clean vase. How often should I change the water in my flower vase? You should change your vase water every 2-3 days at minimum. If your flowers are in a warm spot or looking murky, refresh more frequently. Can I revive drooping flowers? Sometimes! Try re-cutting the stems under water and placing them in fresh, lukewarm water. You can also submerge them (heads and all) in water for 30 minutes to rehydrate. Keep Your Flowers Fresher, for Longer with Julie’s Flowers Caring for cut flowers properly doesn’t have to be a hassle. With just a bit of know-how and regular TLC, you can enjoy your bouquet for days, even weeks. Whether you’ve treated yourself to some blooms or received a thoughtful gift, keeping them looking their best is a simple way to bring joy to your home. At Julie’s Flowers, we handpick every stem with care, so it’s only right you know how to look after them. Need help choosing flowers that last? Explore our fresh flower range and order today for same day delivery before 2pm across both Newcastle and Sunderland regions. Related Articles Bring Good Luck into Your New Home with Fresh Flowers Birth Month Flowers: What Do They Mean? Mother's Day: Your Guide to Choosing A Flower Gift