5 Tips to Keep Your Flowers Fresh Longer

There’s nothing quite like the joy of bringing home a beautiful bouquet or receiving fresh flowers as a gift.

But as every flower lover knows, that joy can be short-lived if your blooms wilt too soon. Here's a few tips to help with extending the life of your flowers.

1. Start with a Clean Vase

Fresh flowers need a clean environment to thrive. Before arranging your bouquet, wash your vase with warm, soapy water to remove any bacteria that can shorten the life of your flowers. Rinse thoroughly to ensure no residue remains. A clean vase sets the stage for longer-lasting blooms.

2. Trim the Stems at an Angle

When you bring flowers home, always cut 2–3 cm off the stems at a 45-degree angle. This prevents the ends from sitting flat at the bottom of the vase, allowing better water absorption. Re-trimming every few days helps refresh the stems and keeps water flowing freely.

3. Change the Water Regularly

One of the simplest yet most effective tricks: change the water every 2–3 days. Stale water breeds bacteria, which clogs stems and makes flowers wilt faster. Each time you refresh the water, rinse the vase, re-trim the stems, and top up with fresh, room-temperature water.

4. Use Flower Food—or a DIY Alternative

Most bouquets come with a small packet of flower food, which provides nutrients and helps reduce bacteria. If you don’t have one, you can make a DIY version at home:

• 1 teaspoon sugar (nourishes the flowers)

• 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice (reduces bacteria)

• 2 cups fresh water

This simple mix can help your flowers last just as long as shop-bought sachets.

5. Keep Flowers Cool and Away from Hazards

Flowers are sensitive to their surroundings. To extend their freshness:

• Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heaters or radiators.

• Avoid placing them near ripening fruit—bananas, apples, and pears release ethylene gas, which speeds up wilting.

• Display them in a cool, shaded area to slow the natural aging process.

Final Thoughts

Fresh flowers are one of life’s simplest pleasures, and with these easy care tips, you can enjoy them for even longer. Whether you’ve picked up a bunch for your home or received a bouquet as a thoughtful gift, a little extra care ensures your flowers stay vibrant and beautiful for days on end.

Should I put sugar in flower water?

Yes, a small amount of sugar can feed the flowers, but it works best when paired with an acid (like lemon juice or vinegar) to reduce bacteria in the vase.

How often should I change the water in a flower vase?

Ideally every 2–3 days. Each time, rinse the vase, refresh the water, and re-trim the stems for maximum freshness.

Why do my flowers wilt so quickly?

Flowers wilt quickly if the water is dirty, the stems aren’t trimmed, or they’re kept in hot or sunny spots. Ethylene gas from nearby fruit can also shorten their life.

How do you make flowers last longer in a vase?

Cut the stems at an angle, change the water every 2–3 days, and keep flowers away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Using flower food also helps.