To make flowers last longer, recut the stems at an angle, put them in a clean vase with fresh water and flower food, and change the water every day or two. Keep the bouquet away from direct sun, heat, drafts and ripening fruit, and most fresh flowers will look good for about a week, often longer.
The first hour: what to do when flowers arrive
- Get them into water quickly. Unwrap the bouquet and prepare the vase as soon as you can.
- Use a clean vase. Wash it with hot, soapy water and rinse it well. Bacteria left over from the last bouquet clog stems fast.
- Fill with cool or room-temperature water. Add the flower food packet if one is included, following the instructions.
- Recut every stem. Use sharp scissors or a knife and trim 2 to 3 cm off at an angle. A clean cut lets the stem drink.
- Strip low leaves. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, where they rot and cloud the water.
Some arrangements are designed to stay as they are. For example, a wrapped bouquet with its own water source may not need a vase at all; follow the care note that comes with it.
Daily care that adds days
- Change the water every day or two. Top up daily, since fresh bouquets drink a lot in the first few days.
- Recut the stems every few days. Trim a little each time you change the water.
- Remove fading blooms. One wilting flower releases ethylene, which speeds up ageing in the rest.
- Keep them cool. A cooler room means slower opening and longer life. Some people move the vase to a cool spot overnight.
Where to put your flowers
| Good spot | Avoid |
|---|---|
| A cool table out of direct sun | Sunny windowsills |
| Rooms with steady temperature | Heat registers, radiators and fireplaces |
| Away from the kitchen counter | Next to fruit bowls (ripening fruit releases ethylene) |
| Sheltered from doors | Cold drafts from front doors in winter |
Flower care in an Ottawa winter
Ottawa winters bring two flower enemies: freezing cold outside and dry, warm air inside. Fresh flowers can be damaged in minutes at deep-freeze temperatures, so never leave a bouquet in a cold car or on the porch. Indoors, keep the vase away from furnace vents and baseboard heaters, which dry petals and warm the water. Check the water level more often in winter, as dry homes make bouquets drink faster.
Tips for specific flowers
- Roses: If a head droops soon after arrival, recut the stem under water and give it a long drink in a tall vase.
- Tulips: They keep growing after cutting and bend toward light. Use a tall vase, a little water, and turn the vase daily. Ottawa loves its tulips every May, when the Canadian Tulip Festival fills the city with them. See our tulip bouquets in Ottawa.
- Hydrangeas: They wilt quickly when thirsty. Recut the stems and keep the water topped up; many florists revive a drooping head by submerging it in cool water for a while.
- Daffodils: Their sap can shorten the life of other flowers, so keep them in their own vase.
A safety note for pet owners
Lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are extremely toxic to cats. Even a small amount of pollen or vase water can cause kidney failure. Keep lilies out of homes with cats, keep any bouquet out of a pet's reach, and call a veterinarian or a pet poison control line if you suspect your pet has chewed a plant.
Frequently asked questions
How long do fresh flowers last?
Most fresh bouquets last about a week with good care. Some flowers, like chrysanthemums and carnations, often last longer.
Does sugar or aspirin make flowers last longer?
Flower food works better. It is mixed to feed the flowers and slow bacteria. If you have none, clean water changed often is the next best thing.
Should I put my flowers in the fridge overnight?
It can help, but keep them away from fruit and vegetables, which release ethylene. A cool room works well too.
What if I want flowers that last for years?
Choose preserved roses. They are real roses that last a year or more with no water.
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