Caring for Your Flowers from The Flower House

Here are a few tips for getting the most from your flowers. Always make sure your vase is clean.

A clean vase is the first step to longer-lasting blooms. Even the smallest traces of bacteria or residue can cause flowers to fade quickly. Wash your vase thoroughly with warm, soapy water, rinse it well, and dry before adding fresh water.

Fill the vase two thirds full with clean cold water, add your flower food. Top Tip: Don’t overfill the vase as this will cause the stems to rot prematurely.

Flower food contains nutrients and antibacterial agents that help keep the water fresh and your flowers hydrated. Always use the sachet provided and mix it thoroughly. Cold or room-temperature water is best—never hot, as this can damage stems.

Remove any foliage that will sit below the waterline, this will avoid build up of baddies and bacteria.

Leaves left in the water will decay quickly, creating bacteria that block the stems’ ability to drink. Gently remove any foliage that would sit below the waterline before arranging your flowers.

Trim (preferably at a sharp angle) 2–3 cm from the bottom of the stems.

Cutting the stems at an angle gives a larger surface area for water absorption.Use clean, sharp scissors or secateurs, and avoid crushing the ends. For best results, re-trim every few days to keep stems fresh and open.

Change the water as often as possible to prolong the vase life of your flowers.

Fresh, clean water is the secret to long-lasting blooms. Change it every two days, rinse your vase, and reapply flower food if available.

Choosing the right vase. Pick a vase that’s half the height of the flowers; this will give your vase of flowers good proportion.

Good balance makes all the difference. Tall flowers such as lilies, delphiniums, or gladioli suit slender cylinder vases, while mixed hand-tied bouquets often look best in wider, rounded vases that give the stems room to spread naturally.

The best conditions. Flowers prefer to be in cooler conditions, unlike us who like it cosy! Keep them away from draughts and heat sources such as radiators or fires. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight. Top Tip: This is interesting—keep your flowers away from the fruit bowl, especially apples, as fruit releases ethylene gas which causes flowers to deteriorate.

Ethylene gas naturally occurs as fruit ripens, and it speeds up the ageing process of many cut flowers. The best place for your bouquet is a cool, bright space away from heat, fruit, and strong sunlight.

Last but not least—ENJOY!

Appreciate your flowers each day and remove any fading stems as new buds open. 

At The Flower House, every bouquet is prepared with care using the freshest seasonal stems. We love helping you make your flowers last as long as possible, so if you ever need advice or have a question about flower care, please ask us—we’re always happy to help.