Cut Flower Care Guide
You’ve just received a gorgeous bouquet of cut flowers; now what?
How do you ensure that they will last as long as possible?
Let’s start with what to do on the first day, as soon as you receive your fresh flowers.
Important Note:
If you receive flowers in a mason jar from us as part of a flower subscription, then these first 4 steps have already been done for you. Read through the guide, but your care starts at step 5 unless you want to use your personal vase instead of the mason jar.
Step 1: Start With a Clean Vase:
And we mean clean, clean; wash it with soap, clean. Don’t even think about just dumping last week’s water out and refilling.
WHY: Bacteria is your number 1 enemy in the fight to keep your flowers fresh. As bacteria builds up, it clogs the bottom of your flower stems and then water can no longer travel up the stem. Without the ability to absorb water, your flowers will wilt and die prematurely.
If you use a vase that you have not scrubbed with soap and water then all the gunk and bacteria from last time is given a jumpstart to contaminating your fresh flowers.
Step 2: Fill Your Vase With Fresh Water:
Add fresh water to your vase. If you have a packet of flower food then measure the water to fit the amount listed on the packet.
Important to Note: You do not need to fill the vase to the top, halfway is plenty high.
Step 3: Remove Leaves/Foliage:
Anything that will sit below the water, even thorns. You only want naked stems in the water.
WHY: Again, this is all about bacteria. Plant debris in the water is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Step 4: Give the Stems a Fresh Cut:
If receiving flowers out of water, use sharp, CLEAN snips or scissors to cut 1 inch of stem off the bottom at a 45 degree angle.
WHY: This is especially important if you are receiving flowers that haven’t been in water for a period of time or have been sitting in water (like at the grocery store) for a while. Cutting off an inch of stem removes any damage or bacteria build-up and helps your flowers drink. Kind of like cutting off the crushed end of a straw.
Now you have your flowers set up for success, but we’re not quite done.
Flower subscription members start here
Step 5: Maintain Your Fresh Water:
If you want the BEST outcome, dump the water and refill EVERY day, especially if you are using a vase that you can’t see the water through.
(See step 2 about using flower food in your water.)
If you can’t commit that much time and effort and you are using a clear vase, then refresh the water when you see any of the following:
The water level is getting low. Make sure the vase has several inches of water, more if you plan to ignore it.
You see leaves or debris in the water.
The water is not CRYSTAL clear. Murky water means bacteria and bacteria means stems that can’t drink water.
(Optional) Step 6: Give the Stems a Fresh Cut Every Few Days:
Use sharp, CLEAN snips or scissors to cut 1 inch of stem off at a 45 degree angle.
WHY: Sometimes despite your best effort, the stems start to get clogged and a fresh cut can help, especially if you see any wilted flowers or if you let the water get icky. Some flowers are extra sensitive to bacteria buildup, like hydrangea and roses and have a hard time staying hydrated.
These steps are the most important foundation for caring for your fresh cut flowers. By following these steps you can ensure that your bouquet of flowers will last as long as possible.
Most importantly, enjoy your beautiful flowers!