Congratulations! You have received some of our homegrown flowers and they are ready to brighten your day. But now what? We’ve carefully nurtured these flowers from seed to bloom in hopes that you feel seen, celebrated, and loved. In order to enjoy these blooms the longest, you’ll need to give your flowers some care. Here are a few simple ways to extend their vase life and extend the joy.

Start with a CLEAN vase.

Wash vases in hot, soapy water before use to give your flowers a happy and healthy environment.

Carefully remove lower leaves.

Any leaves or buds that fall below the water line will decay quickly and cause bacteria to grow. Dirt and bacteria in the water can clog stems and cause your flowers to wilt prematurely.

Cut stems at an angle.

Before placing your flowers in water, cut stems at a 45 degree angle using a sharp, clean pair of scissors or knife. This prevents the stem from resting on the bottom of the vase and increases the surface area for water uptake.

Change the water.

Every 2-3 days, pour out the water and refill the vase with fresh water.  If you see the water becoming cloudy, it’s time for a refresh.  You can also extend the vase life by giving the stems a fresh cut before returning them to the vase. Do not cut daffodil stems as they leak a sap that is harmful to other flowers.

Remove spent blooms.

Each flower has a different expected vase life, so as individual flowers, leaves, or petals die, remove them from the arrangement.  This simple task revives the look of the whole bunch and allows you to enjoy the beauty that remains.

Choose the right location.

Enjoy your fresh flowers away from heat and out of direct sunlight.  These conditions cause flowers to mature more quickly, thus shortening their vase life.  Also, choose a location away from ripening fruits and vegetables as the ethylene gas they emit causes flowers to wilt faster.