How to Care for Cut Flowers in a Vase — General Tips
A beautiful bouquet can last much longer when you prepare the vase properly and follow a few simple care guidelines.
For most cut flowers, four things are essential: clean water, a fresh stem cut, a cool environment, and protection from direct sunlight. However, every flower has its own specific needs — and the water level in particular. Hydrangeas and roses need about 90% of the stem in water, peonies and chrysanthemums about 75%, daisies about 50%, while carnations, dahlias and sunflowers do best with only about 30%. Tulips need just 3–5 cm of water and no floral food at all.
General cut flower care tips
- Use a clean vase. Before placing your bouquet in water, wash the vase thoroughly. Residue from old water and bacteria can significantly shorten the vase life of your flowers.
- Keep the stems freshly cut. Refresh the stem cuts when changing the water. Use a sharp knife or clean garden shears — a blunt tool can crush the tissues of the stem.
- Use clean water. Check the water every day. If it becomes cloudy, develops an unpleasant smell, or contains plant debris, it is best to replace it completely.
- Keep leaves out of the water. Remove all leaves that would sit below the water level. Submerged leaves quickly begin to decompose and can promote bacterial growth.
- Keep flowers cool. Most cut flowers last longer in a cool room. Avoid direct sunlight, air conditioning airflow, hot air, and sudden temperature changes — in a warm climate this is the single most important point.
- Keep flowers away from fruit. Ripe fruit releases ethylene gas, which can accelerate the ageing of some flowers. For this reason, it is best not to place your bouquet next to a fruit bowl.
- Give it a minute a day. Your bouquet does not require complicated daily maintenance. Check the water, remove wilted leaves and flowers, and refresh the stem cuts when necessary.
Care guides for individual flowers
- Hydrangeas
- Roses
- Peonies
- Lisianthus (eustoma)
- Chrysanthemums
- Daisies
- Carnations
- Dahlias
- Sunflowers
- Tulips
- Lilies
- Ranunculus
- Gladiolus
- Mixed bouquets
- Spruce and evergreen branches
- Arrangements in boxes and baskets
- Preserved flowers
Proper flower care is a simple way to extend the freshness of your bouquet and enjoy the flowers you chose for yourself or someone special for as long as possible.
Flower delivery in Pattaya
LaLa Flowers is a local flower shop in Pattaya. Bouquets from our Available today selection can be delivered within about one hour, and any order can be scheduled for the date and time you choose. Every bouquet comes with Chrysal flower food and our 3-day freshness guarantee.