A few minutes of your time can add days to the life of your fresh flowers. By following these recommendations, you’ll increase maximum vase life and enjoy your flowers longer:

• It all begins with selection. What should you look for in selecting fresh flowers? Look for flowers with slightly closed blooms. Part of the enjoyment of taking home fresh flowers is watching them open up. Unless you need them for an event that day or the next, avoid flowers that are completely open — their beauty will be winding down. It is also good to look at the foliage. Avoid flowers with any sign of decay, excessive moisture or browning. Crisp-looking, bright green foliage is a good indication that the flowers are fresh.
  
• Once you purchase the flowers, avoid keeping them out of water for prolonged periods. Generally speaking, a couple of hours is okay, but you should not keep them out much longer than that. Avoid extreme temperatures. A hot car, freezing cold temperatures, or even bright sunlight can shorten vase life. The faster you get your flowers into water, and the cooler you can keep them, the longer they will last.

• Use a clean vase or container. A vase that has been cleaned in the dishwasher or with a little bleach will be sure to kill any bacteria that might otherwise hurt your flowers.
  
  
• Always add flower food to the water. Many of our flowers, such as our roses, come with a flower food packet. We will happily provide an extra packet for you or supply one if your flowers have not come with one. The flower food will keep your water clean and your flowers happy, provided that you use it correctly. Always carefully follow the instructions on the back of the packet.
  
  
• Remove any foliage that will be under the waterline once you put the flowers in the vase. These leaves will lead to decay, which will in turn affect the vase life of the flower.
  
  
• Give flowers a fresh cut and put in clean water! Flowers should be cut immediately before going into water. Even if they were recut at the store, a fresh cut is needed to open the door to water uptake. Proper hydration is the key to long-lasting flowers. Make sure to cut off at least half an inch of each stem.
  
• And finally, give the flowers a fresh cut and clean water every few days. A fresh cut and clean water, along with flower food, are your flowers’ best friends!