How to make your cut flowers last longer
Cut flowers will eventually spoil but with care, you can extend their life in your vase to enjoy them longer.
Whether you’ve bought a bunch yourself or have had the thrill of a generous bouquet delivered to your door, looking after your cut flowers will have them blooming in your home for days, even weeks.
Washing your vase and giving the flowers clean water every day (or at least every two days) is the most important step in cut flower care. “Roses, in particular need clean water daily,” says Teresa Boreham, florist and owner of Flowers By Teresa in Sydney’s inner west.
"Wash the vase well and refill with clean water, adding a sachet of flower food (supplied by your florist) or a teaspoon of bleach to deter bacteria. Remove any spent blooms and leaves below the water line as these will promote decay of the remaining blooms," advises Teresa.
"Recut the stems – remove at least a centimeter from the base. This forms a fresh surface and allows the passage of water through the stems to sustain you blooms."
Replace your bouquet in your freshly washed vase to enjoy.
Top tips for cut flower care
Change water at least every two days
Wash the vase well
Recut the stems – snip off at least one centremetre
Remove any leaves from stems below the water line
Repeat every 2 days
