Nothing brightens a room quite like a fresh bouquet. Whether you've received flowers as a gift or ordered them for yourself, proper flower care can help them stay beautiful for days or even weeks longer.
Follow these five simple florist-approved tips to keep your fresh flowers looking vibrant.
1. Trim the Flower Stems Before Placing Them in Water
At Botana Flowers, every bouquet and floral arrangement is professionally prepared before it leaves our shop. However, giving each stem a fresh trim when you get home is one of the best ways to extend the life of your flowers.
Cut approximately 1–2 cm (½ inch) off each stem at a 45-degree angle using clean, sharp scissors or floral shears. This removes the sealed end of the stem and allows your flowers to absorb water and nutrients more efficiently.
Pro Tip: Re-trim the stems every few days for even longer-lasting blooms.
2. Add a Tablespoon of Vodka to the Vase Water
It might sound surprising, but vodka can actually help your flowers stay fresh.
Adding one tablespoon of plain vodka to your vase water helps reduce bacterial growth while slowing the production of ethylene gas—the natural plant hormone that causes flowers to age more quickly.
If you don't have flower food on hand, this simple trick can help your bouquet stay fresher for longer.
3. Remove Any Leaves Below the Waterline
Leaves sitting in the vase water quickly begin to decay, creating bacteria that shorten the life of your flowers.
Before arranging your bouquet:
- Remove any leaves that will sit below the water.
- Leave the upper foliage intact for a fuller, more natural look.
Keeping the water clean allows your flowers to absorb more nutrients and encourages healthy blooming.
4. Change the Vase Water Every 2–3 Days
Fresh, clean water is one of the most important factors in extending the life of cut flowers.
Every 2–3 days:
- Empty the vase completely.
- Wash it with warm water.
- Refill it with fresh, cool water.
- Add a new packet of flower food if available.
If you purchase flowers from Botana Flowers, we're always happy to provide extra flower food packets with your order—just ask!
5. Keep Flowers Away from Direct Sunlight, Heat, and Fruit
Fresh flowers last longest in a cool environment.
Avoid placing your bouquet:
- In direct sunlight
- Near heating vents or radiators
- Beside electronics that produce heat
- Next to bowls of fruit
Many fruits, especially bananas and apples, release ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process of fresh flowers and causes petals to wilt sooner.
A cool room with indirect light is the perfect place to display your bouquet.
Final Thoughts
With just a few minutes of care, your fresh flowers can stay beautiful significantly longer. Remember to trim the stems, keep the water clean, remove submerged leaves, and protect your bouquet from heat and ripening fruit.
At Botana Flowers, we're passionate about helping you enjoy every bouquet for as long as possible. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or simply brightening your home, proper flower care makes all the difference.
Looking for fresh flower delivery? Browse our handcrafted bouquets and seasonal floral arrangements to find the perfect flowers for every occasion.