Whichever flowers you’ve been lucky enough to receive or gift, these tips can help. Although, if you own a cat or dog, you should be particularly careful with these types of flowers. Here, we will take you through what to do step-by-step to make your Mother’s Day flowers last longer. 

How to make flowers last longer

1. Trim the stems 

Trimming at an angle allows for better water intake, so make sure you don’t cut straight. You can also use this opportunity to vary the height of your flowers on display, so they look better. Re-trim your stems every couple of days for the best results.

2. Maintain the water 

If you want to give your bouquet the best chance, the water needs to be kept fresh and clean. First, make sure the vase you want to use is clean and well-rinsed of any residual soap. Then fill it with lukewarm water — you don’t want it too cold or too hot, so test it first.  If you don’t want to use flower food, you can also add two tablespoons of sugar and white vinegar, which will also promote growth and deter bacteria.

3. Prune the excess 

It might seem a shame to trim some of the leaves from your bouquet prior to display. But, this actually improves the lifespan. By trimming away any unnecessary leaves, particularly those below the waterline, as well as any areas which have started to rot, you’re deterring bacterial growth.  By trimming the leaves, the bouquet will actually look better too, because the vase will be less crowded and the focus is more on the flowers.

4. Watch where you place them 

You might think direct sunlight will help your flowers bloom, but too much will actually be bad for them. Direct sunlight can overheat a bouquet and cause it to dehydrate — before you know it, the water level is depleted and your flowers won’t have lasted a day.  Likewise, keep your bouquet clear of any cold drafts such as open windows, as this too can dehydrate them. Try to stick to a neutral position in the center of the room for all to see.

5. Keep an eye on your bouquet 

Unfortunately, even if you follow these tips, your flowers won’t last forever. As they start to wilt, make sure you remove the dying flowers from the healthy ones. This will prevent mold and bacteria from spreading. Look out for any dead leaves or petals which drop into the water too to avoid contamination. 

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title: “How To Make Flowers Last Longer And Keep Them Fresh” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-29” author: “Caridad May”


Whichever flowers you’ve been lucky enough to receive or gift, these tips can help. Although, if you own a cat or dog, you should be particularly careful with these types of flowers. Here, we will take you through what to do step-by-step to make your Mother’s Day flowers last longer. 

How to make flowers last longer

1. Trim the stems 

Trimming at an angle allows for better water intake, so make sure you don’t cut straight. You can also use this opportunity to vary the height of your flowers on display, so they look better. Re-trim your stems every couple of days for the best results.

2. Maintain the water 

If you want to give your bouquet the best chance, the water needs to be kept fresh and clean. First, make sure the vase you want to use is clean and well-rinsed of any residual soap. Then fill it with lukewarm water — you don’t want it too cold or too hot, so test it first.  If you don’t want to use flower food, you can also add two tablespoons of sugar and white vinegar, which will also promote growth and deter bacteria.

3. Prune the excess 

It might seem a shame to trim some of the leaves from your bouquet prior to display. But, this actually improves the lifespan. By trimming away any unnecessary leaves, particularly those below the waterline, as well as any areas which have started to rot, you’re deterring bacterial growth.  By trimming the leaves, the bouquet will actually look better too, because the vase will be less crowded and the focus is more on the flowers.

4. Watch where you place them 

You might think direct sunlight will help your flowers bloom, but too much will actually be bad for them. Direct sunlight can overheat a bouquet and cause it to dehydrate — before you know it, the water level is depleted and your flowers won’t have lasted a day.  Likewise, keep your bouquet clear of any cold drafts such as open windows, as this too can dehydrate them. Try to stick to a neutral position in the center of the room for all to see.

5. Keep an eye on your bouquet 

Unfortunately, even if you follow these tips, your flowers won’t last forever. As they start to wilt, make sure you remove the dying flowers from the healthy ones. This will prevent mold and bacteria from spreading. Look out for any dead leaves or petals which drop into the water too to avoid contamination. 

How to make flowers last longer and keep them fresh - 55How to make flowers last longer and keep them fresh - 70How to make flowers last longer and keep them fresh - 92How to make flowers last longer and keep them fresh - 74How to make flowers last longer and keep them fresh - 72How to make flowers last longer and keep them fresh - 39