9 easy steps to make the most of your flowers, every time
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Being a human being, i love flowers. I am pretty sure we are biologically conditioned to do so.
With their fragile beauty, their freshness, the vibrant colors and delicate perfume, they are truly nature's gems. I love how a fresh bunch of tulips can bring the brightness of spring indoors on a dreary January day, and how a bouquet of blooming wildflowers is an extension of the lush summer garden in the warmer months. In order to be able to enjoy cut flowers to the max, i dove into best practices and professional tips, and created this easy overview to help me and you make the most of our flowers each and every time. To learn all, simply scroll down through the page, or, if you would like to focus on a particular step, click on any of the links below. Here goes... |
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1. Get your flowers freshObviously the very best (and my favorite) option is to grow flowers in your own garden.
That way you can enjoy their floral beauty both outdoors as well as inside, and create a haven for all kinds of insects. When picking flowers, make sure to avoid the mid-day sun, instead cutting them early in the morning or late in the evening, when the air is cooler and stems are filled with water. I always try to leave about half of all blooms, so my buzzing friends still have a happy place. Not blessed with a garden or a green thumb? Perhaps there's a picking garden you can visit, they seem to pop up everywhere nowadays! Often these picking gardens work with biological seeds and bulbs, and know which flowers are sturdy and best suited for their specific location and soil type. Find a flower picking garden as close to your home as possible, and try to schedule your picking action on the fringes of the day. No time to visit a flower picking garden? Try to find out where and when your local florist sources their flowers. I know my florist has new batches of flowers come in on Monday and Thursday, for example, so if I buy my flowers those days, they will be fresher and last longer. Alternatively, market flower stalls often get their flowers fresh the day of the market. Just make sure to visit early in the morning: although the flowers are brought in fresh, the outdoor circumstances might be harsh on them, so you best buy them at peak crispness. |
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2. Flowers with a longer vase-life
No matter how fresh you pick a flower and how well you care for them, all flowers have a finite vase-life.
But, some varieties last a lot longer than others, and if you choose wisely, you will be able to enjoy your arrangement that much longer.
Here are a few of the best flowers to choose if you want your arrangement to last:
NB - we will be adding to this list
But, some varieties last a lot longer than others, and if you choose wisely, you will be able to enjoy your arrangement that much longer.
Here are a few of the best flowers to choose if you want your arrangement to last:
NB - we will be adding to this list
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum come in all shapes and sizes, and can last in a vase for up to 3-4 weeks. I used to associate chrysanthemum with just the yellow and white small-flowered bouquet-fillers, and never gave them much thought. But when i accidentally mistook one for a Dahlia, my interest was peaked, and i did a deep dive into this versatile and hardy beauty that indeed have the longest vase-life of any cut flower. Chrysanthemum are a sustainable choice in the Netherlands in September, October, November. <check out my deep dive into chrysanthemum here> |
Lily
Lilies are usuallu still in their buds when you bring them home, and it can take a few days for them to open up and start flowering. Once they do, they can still last 10 to 12 days. Since the fragrance of lilies can be powerful, i usually opt for one or two stems (with about three flowers each) for a mixed arrangement. Please note: Removing the pollen stems as soon as the lilies have opened up can avoid nasty stains. Lilies are a sustainable flower when you buy them in May, June and July. |
Alstroemeria
A smaller cousin of the lily, the expressive Alstroemeria (aka Peruvian Liliy) can last in a vase for up to two weeks. While the flowers originated in South America, they have been cultivated into a durable perennial that is commercially grown in moderately heated greenhouses in the Netherlands. Because of its hardy character and resistance to many weeds, as well as the fact the flowers can be cut from a growing plant, the Alstroemeria can be a sustainable choice year-round, but naturally blooms in June and July. |
Tulip
Since tulips tend to grow towards the light while in the vase, you have to make sure to keep an eye on the water level. Provided you keep the water fresh and topped up, tulips can have a vase-life of up to 12 days. Personally i like leaving tulips in the vase until they start losing their petals, (which can be more than two weeks), because i love the beautiful fragility of the slow wilting process. Tulips are best bought from October up until May <Here you can read all about tulips and the mania they caused> |
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3. How to best transport your flowersThe delicate nature of many flowers ask for utmost care during transport.
Florists transport their flowers in water-filled buckets in refrigerated vehicles, keeping the flowers upright for the entirity of the trip. Although you might not be able to take your flowers home in a refrigerated truck, you could use a water-filled bucket or vase to keep your flowers hydrated and upright. The taller the bucket or vase, the better. (Making sure it won't fall during transport, obviously.) Try and avoid heat and direct sunlight as much as you can, and keep your flowers wrapped in paper, covering up as much of the bloom as possible. If you don't have a bucket (i usually don't..), carefully lay your flowers flat on the coolest spot of your car or your bicycle bag. If you can, try and keep the stems moist by wrapping them with a wet paper towel covered with a plastic bag. |
4. Clean your vaseFinding the right vase has everything to do with shape, size, material and design.
The vase should be tall enough, for starters, with a width to keep the stems nicely arranged without pushing the stems together. Go ahead and splurge on the latest design icon, use that favorite you got from your grandmother or carefully fill a priceless antique with a fresh bouquet. But whether you use a €2,- thrifted treasure or a vase that cost a months' salary, for flowers, all that counts is that the vase is squeaky clean. It is not enough to just get rid of the layer of dust: flowers are susceptible to infection from bacteria,meaning it is best to properly sterilize a vase before each use. To keep your flowers fresh for longer, thoroughly clean the vase with soap and hot water, and add a little bit of bleach to be on the safe side. If you can, store your vases upside down, or -like i do- use a wider upside down vase as a cover to keep dust from settling inside vases you are not using to avoid a build-up of dust that can be challenging to clean. |
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5. Water & flowerfoodFirst off: Freshly cut flowers in general like their water lukewarm, it makes it easier for them to absorb the moisture. That said: bulb flowers, like tulips and daffodils, prefer fresh cold water. Secondly: Since flowers only take in water through the ends of their stem, it makes sense not to fill up the vase too much to reduce the possibility of bacterial growth from submerged rotting leaves. Filling up about 1/3rd of the vase is usually enough. If the water level gets too low or the water becomes murky, clean the vase and refill with fresh water. There's a debate going on about using filtered water, but that might depend on the quality of your tap water to start with. Here in the Netherlands, the water supply system is pretty good, so i can't be bothered. Pro tip: Tiny air bubbles can clogg flowers' stems and create air-embolism, so when filling the vase, wait for the bubbles in the water to dissipate before placing your flowers. |
Feeding your flowersThen: flower food: there are so many different tales about what you should and shouldn't add to the water to keep your flowers fresh and healthy. But i've done my research and what it boils down to is this: Yes, you should definitely use a flower preservative, as it not only provides food for your flowers, but also keeps the water free from bacteria and fungi. Your best bet is to use the commercial preservatives that may come with your flowers or ask your florist what is best suited for the flowers you picked. It is also very possible to concoct your own flower power food, the internet is riddled with recipes that use ingredients that can be found in pretty much every kitchen. |
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6. Pruning & Prep - the cutNow we're finally seeing to the flowers.
First, we need to prevent the water in the vase from being contaminated by rotting leaves. To avoid bacterial growth in the water, cut off any leaves below the waterline or even touching the water. Some flowers have guard petals. The two or three outermost petals that for example roses have and which keep the flower from opening completely. Carefully prune them to make the flower open up even wider. If you have ever bought a bouquet of flowers, the florist probably told you to "Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle before placing them in a vase!". That's because when flowers are taken out of the water, the cut ends of the stems seal themselves, keeping the water in like a defence-mechanism. While that's great for transportation, the seal will prevent the flowers taking in fresh water, and needs to be cut off to avoid wilting. The rule of thumb is to cut 2,5 cm (1") off the stem. Make sure the remaining stem is looking fresh and moist. If you're not sure, cut off a bit more to be on the safe side. When cutting, choose garden shears or a sharp knife with a straight edge. Avoid using your trusty blunt kitchen scissors, you might accidentally squash the stem. There are a two reasons to cut at a 45 degree angle: You'll decrease the chance of crushing the stems plus you'll increase the surface area for water-absorbtion. Once cut, don't dilly-dally: get those flowers in the water immediately or the stems will have re-sealed and you can start all over again. Some flowers, like roses, are susceptible to airbubbles getting trapped in the stem (an air-embolism), to prevent this, cut roses under water. (i'm sure you'll make it work) |
7. How to arrange like a proOh the beauty of a wildflower bouquet: seemingly aranged in a haphazard way, but secretly picked and combined to perfection. If you prefer a tightly styled bouquet like your florist makes, the best tip i can give you is to take your vase to the shop and have them set it up for you. A good florist will happily oblige! I'll leave it to you to figure out how to get that perfectly set-up vase home without ruining the composition... Can use a little DIY assistence? We created a tool that will help you create a spacious bouquet: the Flower Constellations. Using fewer and wider spaced flowers keeps your arrangement fresh for longer: the water remains clearer and spaced stems are less prone to jamming and damaging each other. <Read all about the Flower Constellations and their -not so random- patterns here> And, before i forget: If you are arranging your own spring flower bouquet, keep in mind daffodils and hyacinths don't play nice with others: they secrete a slimy substance that clogs the stems of other flowers, stopping them from being able to take in water, making them wilt in a day. |
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8. The right spotIn a still life painting flowers are often next to a bowl of fruit or placed in bright sunlight.
Even though that might be pretty composition-wise, if you want to keep your flowers fresh for longer, bright sunlight and ripening fruits should be avoided. In fact, you want to keep your flowers away from any source of heat. The warmth will speed up the flowers' wilting process (which we don't want). That said: flowers are also annoyed by drafts, as it accelerates water loss and reduces lifespan. Then the thing with fruit: ripening fruits release ethylene gas, which makes the flowers ripen and wilt quicker. Bottom line: pretty much all florists advice to keep your arrangement in a level cool environment with no fruit around. A pro tip is to store flowers in a fridge overnight (if your fridge is large enough, obviously). However, this does come with a warning: if the fridge is used to store ethylene emitting fruits (like apples, tomato's etc), the (left-over) ethylene might accelerate the wilting process. Alternatively, you could move your arrangements to a cooler room each night. |
9. Keeping it freshIn the past i have been adviced to change the water daily, every other day, or to just leave it be.
Judging by all the pro-tips i came across while researching for this post, changing the water every once-in-a-while seems wise, best before it starts to look murky. Also, when you do, clean the vase, trim the stems and add a little flower food. If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, at least keep checking the water level daily and top up when neccessary. (Flowers can drain a vase more rapidly than you might think, especially when tulips are involved) Less invasive, yet as important, is to keep an eye on your bouquet and remove all wilting flowers, brown leaves and drooping petals. Once a flower starts wilting, it gives off ethylene gass, which we know by now is not great for the life-span of the rest of the bouquet. Also, when you get rid off the wilting bits, don't leave them near your arrangement -because, you know, ethylene gas-. Throw them out in a proper (lidded) container and/or in another room. Only have a few flowers left from last weeks' bouquet? Don't give up on them by throwing them out with the rest! Give them a new chance to shine in an Ikebana-inspired arrangement with the help of a Flower Constellation. You only need three flowers to make a stylish set-up that might just last for a whole nother week! |
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Easy peezy flower careSo, there it is, the complete rookie guide to flower care.
In overview: 1. Buy your flowers as fresh as you can 2. Be aware that some flowers have a shorter vase-life than others. 3. Keep stems moist and flowers cool when transporting them. 4. Make sure to use a clean vase. 5. Lukewarm water is usually best and flowerfood is a great addition. 6. Get rid of foliage below the water line and cut the stems at an angle. 7. Space out your flowers to keep them fresh. 8. Don't place your flowers in full sunlight and keep them away from fruits. 9. Check on your flowers, remove wilted petals and refreshen the water every few days. No matter how carefully you treat your fresh flowers, they are delicate and will only last so long. So while they do, you make sure you enjoy them to the fullest! The Flower Constellations can help you make the most of your flowers every time. - get them here Feel free to add your own flowery wisdom if you like and let's all enjoy our flowers for as long as possible. Below you'll find an extensive list of sources with links to all original articles. If you're not exhausted from reading this post, go check them out, they're all highly informative. Don't forget to smell the roses!sources: Reader's digest, this Wikihow article, this other Wikihow article, this cool mythbusting article by FTD by Design, this thorough article by mental floss, of course these tips from proflowers, rodales organic life, These clever tips from the Telegraph, pro tips from Simplemost, brightside, Woman's Day, Flying Flowers and the Washington Post |
