Keep your bouquet fresh for longer: a simple care guide

Our flowers are cut and arranged the morning they travel, so they arrive at their best. With a few simple habits you can enjoy them for many days.

Five habits for longer-lasting flowers

• Trim the stems. Cut 2 to 3 cm at an angle with a sharp knife or scissors before placing them in water.
• Use clean, cool water. Fill the vase about two-thirds and change the water every two days.
• Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in the water break down quickly and shorten the life of the flowers.
• Choose the right spot. Keep flowers away from direct sun, air-conditioning vents and fruit bowls.
• Remove tired blooms. Taking out fading flowers keeps the rest of the arrangement fresh.

Flower boxes and domes

Arrangements in boxes sit in a hidden floral foam that holds water. Add a little water to the foam every day or two, without flooding the box.

Roses that droop

If a rose head starts to bend, re-cut the stem and place it in deep, cool water for an hour. It will often lift again.