Fresh Flower Care

How can I make my flowers last longer?

Every flower variety has its own natural vase life. Some blooms, such as carnations and chrysanthemums, are known for their exceptional longevity, while others, like roses, peonies, and tulips, have a shorter vase life but are treasured for their beauty and elegance. When purchasing fresh flowers, it’s always a good idea to ask your florist how long you can expect your arrangement to last.

At Rickey Heroman’s Florist, we offer an outstanding selection of premium fresh flowers, including roses, garden roses, lilies, hydrangeas, peonies, tulips, irises, snapdragons, delphiniums, sunflowers, orchids, and an ever-changing variety of seasonal blooms sourced from top growers around the world.

No matter which flowers you choose, a little extra care can significantly extend their freshness and beauty. By following a few simple flower care tips—such as using flower food, changing the water regularly, trimming the stems, and keeping your arrangement away from direct sunlight and heat—you can enjoy your flowers for many days to come.

Below are some easy care tips to help your flowers stay fresh, vibrant, and beautiful as long as possible.
Essentials for your flowers

One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your fresh flowers is to display them in the right environment. Keep your flowers in a cool location where temperatures remain between 65°F and 72°F (18°C–22°C).

Avoid placing your arrangement in direct sunlight, near heating or air-conditioning vents, beneath ceiling fans, or close to heat-producing appliances such as televisions, radiators, or kitchen appliances. Heat, direct sunlight, and constant drafts can cause flowers to lose moisture quickly, shortening their vase life.

By keeping your flowers cool and away from sources of heat and moving air, you’ll help them stay fresh, vibrant, and beautiful for as long as possible.
When your flowers arrive in wet foam
Keep the floral foam soaked in water containing floral food provided by your florist. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
When your flowers are arranged in water
Keep the vase filled with water containing floral food provided by your florist. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

If the solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely. If possible, recut the stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife.

Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial growth that can harm the flowers.
When your flowers have woody stems and branches (such as Quince, Forsythia, or Lilac)
Cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place in warm water containing fresh floral food to promote flower opening.
What is floral food and why use it?
Floral food is a combination of additives that help to nourish the flowers and discourage bacteria from growing in the water. It is one of the best and easiest ways to extend the life of your flowers. It is very important to follow the directions on the package correctly. We use the most updated flower preservative system available to assure the highest quality flowers.