Fresh Flower Care | How to Make Your Flowers Last Longer

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature." 
– Gerard de Nerval

Simple Tips to Keep Your Flowers Fresh and Vibrant

Looking after your fresh flowers properly helps them stay vibrant for as long as possible. At Flower Fixation, we want you to enjoy every bouquet and arrangement well beyond the day they’re delivered. Here are a few key things to remember during those first crucial hours and beyond:

• Did you know the first 24 hours are the most important?

• During this time, flowers absorb almost half the water they need to survive.

• Follow our simple care guide below to keep your flowers fresh, healthy and beautiful.

How to Care for Cut Flowers

Looking after cut flowers correctly will keep your bouquet fresher for longer.

• Change water every 2 days (daily if no flower food is used)

• Use a clean vase each time

• Re-cut stems 2–3cm on an angle under water with sharp scissors or secateurs

• Keep flowers in a cool spot away from heat, draughts and appliances

• Avoid placing flowers near fruit as ethylene gas causes faster ageing

• Remove dead flowers or leaves to maintain freshness

Gift Wrapped Bouquets: Care Instructions

Gift bouquets need a little extra care once you remove their wrapping.

• Remove paper wrapping — it’s for decoration only

• Keep the binding in place to hold the design together

• Re-cut stems 2–3cm on an angle and place in water immediately

• Clean vase, change water, and re-cut stems every 2 days

• Remove dead flowers or leaves as needed

Tulip Care Guide

Tulips are unique and keep growing after being cut, so a few simple steps will help them last longer.

• Usually delivered in bud form and open over time

• Re-cut stems every 3 days on an angle

• Avoid using flower preservative — tulips prefer plain water

• Continue to grow after cutting and bend toward light

• If you want them upright, wrap in damp newspaper and leave in water overnight

• Best kept in cool rooms away from heating

How to Look After Roses

Roses can last beautifully when their stems and water are managed carefully.

• Re-cut stems 2–3cm on an angle with sharp utensils

• Do not bruise or flatten stems

• Use a clean vase with room temperature water

• Tepid water helps oxygen move through stems more easily

Caring for Lilies

Lilies benefit from bright light and a little extra attention to their pollen.

• Open best in well-lit areas

• Re-cut stems 2–3cm on an angle every 2 days

• Remove pollen with a tissue to avoid staining clothes and furniture

• If pollen gets on fabric, lift with adhesive tape instead of rubbing

• Lilies benefit from flower preservative

Hydrangea Care Tips

Hydrangeas sometimes need a boost of hydration to perk back up.

• Submerge flower heads in cold water during hot weather or if wilting

• Slice bark from bottom of stem and cut a vertical slit for better water intake

• Dip 3–5cm of stem in boiling water for 5 seconds, then place in vase

Hyacinth Care Tips

Hyacinths require a simple trim to make sure they drink properly.

• Cut away the lower white part of the stem on an angle — it does not take up water effectively

Woody Stems: Best Care Practices

Woody stems need to be opened up to take in water efficiently.

• Slice bark from the bottom of the stem

• Make a vertical slit in the base to improve water intake

Hairy Stem Flowers (Gerberas, Poppies) Care Tips

Hairy stemmed flowers don’t like deep water and do best with a shallow vase.

• Do not place in deep water

• Keep water level to no more than 6cm deep