Care Tips for Cut Flowers

Tools for taking care of flowers
Get ready to get the most out of your bouquet of flowers

Make Your Bouquets Last: Essential Care Tips for Long-Lasting Cut Flowers

Welcome to Your Guide for Everlasting Blooms!

There's nothing quite like the joy of a fresh bouquet brightening your space. At Flowers.NL, we're dedicated to delivering not just stunning flowers across the Netherlands, but also the knowledge to help you enjoy them for as long as possible. With a few simple steps, you can significantly extend the life and vibrancy of your beautiful cut flowers.

The Secret to Longevity: Essential Cut Flower Care Tips

 Keeping your flowers fresh isn't a mystery; it's a science! By understanding their basic needs, you can transform a week-long display into a two-week (or even longer!) spectacle.

1. The Crucial First Cut: Prepare Your Stems Right Away

As soon as your flowers arrive, they're thirsty! Stems can seal up with air bubbles or debris when out of water.

  • Angle Cut: Using a sharp knife or floral shears, re-cut about 1-2 inches off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This creates a larger surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase.
  • Remove Lower Leaves: Strip any leaves that will fall below the waterline in your vase. Submerged leaves will rot, encouraging bacterial growth in the water, which clogs the stems and shortens your flowers' life.
Person cutting flower stems at an angle
Always re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle upon arrival.

2. Hydration is Key: Clean Water & the Right Food

Cleanliness and nourishment are vital for thirsty blooms.

  • Clean Vase: Always start with a sparkling clean vase. Wash it thoroughly with warm, soapy water (and a little bleach if you have it) to remove any bacteria that could harm your fresh flowers.
  • Fresh, Lukewarm Water: Fill your vase with lukewarm water. Flowers absorb warm water more efficiently than cold water.
  • Use Flower Food: Don't discard that little packet of flower food! It contains essential nutrients (sugar for energy), an acidifier (to help with water uptake), and a biocide (to inhibit bacterial growth).
    Vase with clean water and flower food
A clean vase and proper flower food make a big difference.

3. Location, Location, Location: Choose the Right Spot

Where you place your flowers makes a huge difference.

  • Avoid Direct Sunlight & Heat Sources: Intense light and heat cause flowers to dehydrate and wilt quickly. Keep your bouquet away from sunny windows, radiators, fireplaces, and even certain electronics.
  • Steer Clear of Fruit: Ripening fruits like apples and bananas release ethylene gas, which can prematurely age and wilt your flowers. Keep your fruit bowl separate from your floral display.
  • Cooler is Better: Generally, a cooler room temperature (not too cold, but consistently cool) will help your flowers last longer.
Flowers placed in a cool spot away from sunlight
Choose a cool spot away from direct sunlight.

4. Daily Maintenance for Maximum Life

Just like any living thing, flowers benefit from regular care.

  • Change Water Daily: Or at least every other day. This prevents bacterial buildup.
  • Re-trim Stems: Every few days, give the stems another fresh angle cut to re-open the "drinking straws" of the flowers.
  • Remove Fading Blooms: If any flowers start to wilt or show signs of decay, remove them immediately. Dying flowers release ethylene gas that can harm their healthy neighbors.

Your Flowers, Our Care

At Flowers.NL, we hand-pick the freshest blooms for your flower delivery in the Netherlands, ensuring they arrive ready to thrive. By following these simple care tips, you're not just making your flowers last; you're maximizing the joy and beauty they bring into your life.

Have a favorite tip you swear by? Share it in the comments below! And don't forget to visit Flowers.NL to find your next beautiful bouquet.