Fresh flowers can instantly lift the atmosphere of any room, bringing life, colour, and warmth to your space. Whether you received them as a gift through flower delivery in Braybrook and surroundings or picked them up yourself from a local florist in Braybrook, keeping them vibrant for as long as possible makes all the difference. With a few simple care tips, you can help your blooms stay fresh and beautiful for days, sometimes even weeks.
Simple Steps to Keep Flowers Fresh
Whether you are looking for flower bouquets, arrangements, birthday flowers, sympathy flowers, anniversary flowers, get well soon arrangements, Mother's Day flowers, or Valentine's day roses, freshly cut flowers start to age the moment they are removed from their stems, but the right care routine slows that process down. Begin by choosing a clean vase. Any residue left inside can quickly lead to bacteria growth, shortening the life of your flowers. Wash the vase with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly before use. Once it’s clean, fill it with fresh, room-temperature water and add the flower food that usually comes with your bouquet.
Trimming the stems properly is one of the most important steps in flower care. Before placing the flowers in the vase, cut about two to three centimetres from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This allows the flowers to absorb more water. Use a sharp knife or floral scissors to avoid crushing the stems. Re-trim them every few days to maintain proper hydration and to remove any damaged or dead parts.
Removing extra leaves from below the waterline helps prevent the growth of bacteria. Leaves submerged in water tend to rot, causing unpleasant odours and murky water that can harm your blooms. Strip away any leaves that might sit below the surface, leaving only the upper foliage and petals that contribute to the arrangement’s beauty.
Water quality is crucial. Change the water every two to three days, and clean the vase before refilling it. Always use fresh, cool water and, if possible, add another packet of flower food. If you don’t have flower food, you can use a simple homemade mix—add a small teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of bleach or white vinegar. The sugar nourishes the flowers, while the vinegar or bleach keeps bacteria at bay.
Caring for Different Flower Types
Keeping flowers away from direct sunlight and heat sources will also help them last longer. Although sunlight helps plants grow, cut flowers prefer a cooler environment. Avoid placing them near windows, heaters, or appliances that produce heat. Drafts and fans can also cause flowers to dry out faster, so a shaded, stable spot in your home is ideal.
Some flowers have different needs depending on their type. Roses, for instance, benefit from frequent water changes and removing outer petals as they wilt. Lilies should have their pollen-covered stamens removed to prevent staining and prolong freshness. Tulips and daffodils continue to grow even after being cut, so trimming their stems regularly helps maintain the arrangement’s shape and balance.
If you’ve received flowers as a gift or plan to send flowers online, these simple care techniques will help keep each bouquet beautiful for longer. Even after a few days, you can refresh your arrangement by removing fading blooms and rearranging the remaining ones into a smaller vase. This not only extends their lifespan but also gives your bouquet a refreshed look.
Fresh flowers are more than just decorations—they bring comfort, colour, and emotion into everyday life. With a little attention and care, your arrangement can stay as lively as the day it arrived. Whether it’s a special gift or an arrangement you picked for yourself, proper flower care makes every bloom worth cherishing. The team at Blossom Tree Florist believes that beautiful flowers deserve thoughtful care, helping you enjoy their natural beauty for as long as possible. We offer a fast and affordable flower delivery across many Melbourne suburbs, such as Footscray, West Footscray, Maidstone, Tottenham, Sunshine, Avondale Heights, Sunshine West, Albion, Maribyrnong, Kingsville, Yarraville, and more.