Flowers bring comfort even on the hardest of days. Whether a birthday gift, a thank-you, or a just-because moment, a bouquet of flowers is always a physical reminder of love, safety, and goodwill. But how to make this moment last long? If cared for well, we can extend the life of these flowers.
It’s also a sustainable habit as it reduces waste and lets you cherish your bouquet longer. In this guide, we will give you five important tips you can use to keep your flower bouquets fresh and hold onto their comfort a bit longer.
#1 Trim the Stems
The first step towards keeping your flower bouquets fresh is to trim their stems. Trimmed stems help your flowers drink better and stay vibrant longer. You can further improve their water uptake by cutting the stems underwater to create a smooth water flow through the stems.
For best results, you should not cut more than 1 to 2 inches off at an angle of 45 degrees. Cutting at a 45-degree angle is required to increase the surface area. This helps to enhance the water flow and makes the flowers last longer.
However, it is not enough to trim it once. To keep the flowers fresh and vibrant, you should trim them every 2–3 days to keep the water flow consistent.
#2 Use Clean Water and Change It Regularly
Another overlooked tip for keeping flowers fresh and alive is to use clean water. Especially for flower vases, fresh and cold water can prevent bacterial growth.
Remember to change the water frequently. We suggest that you use cold tap water and change the water every other day to prevent bacterial growth.
Bonus tip: Clean the vase, too. It is important to use a clean vase to avoid water contamination.
#3 Keep Them Cool
Flowers need sun, but in a proper amount. Flowers don’t need sunbathing, as direct sunlight can easily dehydrate them and cause them to wilt faster.
You should also avoid placing blooms near heat vents, appliances, windows, or ripening fruits or vegetables. All of these places quicken the dehydration process. Ripe fruits emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process in flowers and causes them to wilt faster.
The ideal temperature for storing flower bouquets in warm Midwest summers is generally 60°F to 85°F (15.5°C to 30°C). If you want your blooms to retain freshness longer, you can keep them in spots without direct sunlight. It is also recommended to keep them in rooms with insulated walls.
#4 Feed Them the Right Way
Make sure to use the flower food packet provided. It’s small but mighty, as they are packed with the essentials to keep your bouquet thriving.
Making flower food at home is an easy task. Here is a complete breakdown:
- Take water in your vase, then add sugar and vinegar to it.
- If you do not have vinegar, you can substitute it with lime juice.
This is a great way to extend their life by balancing pH and preventing bacteria. It helps to nourish the petals as well.
#5 Remove Spent Blooms and Leaves Below Waterline
To keep your blooms fresh, make sure to remove dead or dying flowers immediately. Dead flowers often release ethylene gas, which can cause the fresh flowers to decay faster. Removing wilted flowers provides more space for the others and gives new energy to the healthy ones.
One thing we often overlook is stripping the stems as well as the leaves. The leaves in water can foster bacterial growth, which can cause the flowers to rot.
Extra Tip: Buy Local for Longer-Lasting Blooms
Seasonal flowers from Flowers For Dreams last longer than imported ones as they are locally sourced. They are stored and taken care of mindfully. They remain fresh due to the lack of harsh treatments, which helps them to retain their natural water content.
As they’re locally sourced, our flowers travel less and stay fresher. Thereby, we can deliver them to your door in their best shape.
Here are some of the available flower types based on Midwest seasons:
Flower Care Across the Midwest
The Midwest climate is no joke. It can be harsh on plants, especially flowers that are prone to wilt. Prominent climate variations can be witnessed through their dry winters and humid summers. Sudden climate changes like this can affect blooms badly.
That’s why it’s especially important for people residing in the Midwest region to take better care of their flowers.
Make Your Bouquet Last Longer
Choosing flowers for your bouquet is hard, but keeping them fresh is harder. In cities with unpredictable weather, it’s especially important to care for them properly.
Flowers for Dreams does its part in choosing bouquets sourced by local floral designers. In addition to that, we support local charities as well. So every time you choose us, you choose to give back to the community. Every bouquet of ours is equal to beauty and impact.
Explore our freshest, longest-lasting blooms and enjoy same-day or next-day flower delivery in your city.
