How to Keep Cut Flowers Fresh for Longer: A Florist’s Guide

There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet — and with a little care, you can keep cut flowers looking beautiful for much longer. As a Roodepoort florist, we’re often asked how to make flowers last. Here are the steps we recommend.

1. Trim the stems

As soon as you get your flowers home, trim 2–3cm off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This opens up the stem so it can drink properly. Re-trim every couple of days.

2. Use a clean vase and fresh water

Bacteria is the enemy of cut flowers. Always start with a spotlessly clean vase and fill it with fresh, room-temperature water. Change the water every two days — more often in hot weather.

3. Add flower food

The little sachet of flower food that comes with your bouquet isn’t just for show — it feeds the blooms and slows bacteria. No sachet? A few drops of bleach plus a teaspoon of sugar works in a pinch.

4. Remove leaves below the waterline

Any leaves sitting in the water will rot and spread bacteria. Strip the lower leaves so only clean stems sit in the vase.

5. Keep them cool and out of direct sun

Place your vase away from direct sunlight, heaters and ripening fruit (which releases ethylene gas that ages flowers). A cooler spot makes blooms last noticeably longer.

Caring for roses specifically

Roses love water — keep the vase topped up, and gently remove any outer “guard” petals that look bruised. Our rose bouquets are conditioned before they leave the shop, so they arrive ready to last.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving flowers in a hot car or sunny windowsill.
• Forgetting to change the water.
• Cutting stems with blunt scissors, which crushes them.

Send fresh flowers in Roodepoort

Looking for flowers that arrive fresh and last? Browse our full collection or send a birthday or romantic bouquet — delivered same day across Roodepoort when you order before 10am.