How to Make Your Bloom Bar Bouquet Last Longer

Just built a bouquet at the bloom bar? Follow these simple flower care tips to keep your stems fresh and your arrangement beautiful for as long as possible.

You picked the stems, built the arrangement, and now it is time to bring your bloom bar bouquet home. A few small habits in the days that follow can make a real difference in how long your flowers stay fresh, so here is exactly what to do once your bouquet leaves the bar.

Give your stems a fresh cut

Before placing your bouquet in a vase, trim about an inch off the bottom of each stem at a forty five degree angle. A fresh, angled cut increases the surface area for water absorption and removes any part of the stem that may have started to seal or dry out since it was first cut. Use sharp scissors or floral shears rather than dull household scissors, which can crush the stem instead of cutting it cleanly.

Remove any leaves below the waterline

Any leaves sitting below where the water line will be should be stripped off before the stems go into the vase. Leaves left underwater break down quickly and encourage bacteria growth, which shortens the life of your entire arrangement, not just the stem it came from.

Use a clean vase and fresh water

Bacteria buildup is one of the biggest reasons bouquets fade early. Always start with a clean vase, and fill it with fresh, cool water. If a flower food packet was included with your bouquet, add it now, it helps balance the water's pH and provides the nutrients your cut stems need since they are no longer drawing from a root system.

Change the water every two to three days

Water clouds and bacteria build up faster than most people expect. Every two to three days, empty the vase, rinse it out, and refill with fresh water. While you are at it, give the stems another small trim, about half an inch, to keep them absorbing water efficiently.

Keep your bouquet out of direct sun and heat

Flowers last longest in a cool spot away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and appliances that generate warmth. A kitchen counter near a sunny window looks lovely, but it will shorten your bouquet's life considerably compared to a slightly shadier spot in the same room.

Keep fruit away from your flowers

Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process in cut flowers. Keep your bouquet away from fruit bowls, especially bananas and apples, to help your blooms stay fresher longer.

Remove spent blooms as you go

As individual flowers start to fade, remove them from the arrangement rather than leaving them in place. This keeps the remaining stems looking fuller and prevents the decaying bloom from affecting the water quality for the rest of the bouquet.

A little care goes a long way

Most cut flower bouquets last anywhere from five to ten days with proper care, and some hardier blooms can go even longer. The stems you chose at the bloom bar were fresh and healthy to begin with, so a few simple habits at home are really all it takes to enjoy them for as long as possible.