A fresh bouquet can instantly brighten your home, but without the right care, beautiful blooms can wilt sooner than expected. Whether you’ve received flowers as a gift or treated yourself, a few simple steps can help extend their lifespan and keep them looking vibrant for days longer.
Also see: 4 Award-winning South African flowers you should know
Trim the stems properly
Before placing your flowers in a vase, trim about 2cm off each stem at a 45-degree angle. According to Bloomable, it is recommended not to use blunt scissors or tear the stems. Trimming the stems increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents the stems from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase, where they can struggle to draw up water.
Keep the water fresh
Change the vase water every two to three days to prevent bacteria from building up. Wash the vase thoroughly before refilling it and remove any leaves that sit below the waterline, as submerged foliage encourages bacterial growth that shortens the life of your bouquet.
Also see: 5 Flowers and plants you should never keep in your kitchen, here’s why
Find the right spot
Place your bouquet in a cool area away from direct sunlight, heaters, air conditioners and draughts. Avoid positioning flowers near ripening fruit, as fruit releases ethylene gas, which can cause flowers to age more quickly.
Feed your flowers
As reported by Food & Home, flowers last longer when fed. If your bouquet comes with a flower food sachet, use it according to the instructions. Flower food provides nutrients while helping to control bacteria in the water. If you don’t have any, regularly changing the water is the next best way to keep flowers fresh.
Remove wilting blooms
As individual flowers begin to fade, remove them from the arrangement. This keeps the bouquet looking attractive and prevents decaying blooms from affecting the healthier flowers.
With a little care and attention, your bouquet can stay fresher for longer, allowing you to enjoy its colour, fragrance and beauty for up to a week or more, depending on the flower variety.
Also see: 7 science-backed benefits of having flowers in your home beyond beauty
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