How to Keep Your Flowers Fresh for Longer

Fresh flowers can easily last a week or more with a little care. These are the same steps our designers follow in the studio.

1. Trim the stems as soon as they arrive

Cut 1–2 cm off each stem at an angle with a clean, sharp knife or scissors. The angled cut gives the stem more surface to drink from. Do it again every two days.

2. Use clean water — and change it daily

Fill a clean vase with room-temperature water. Change it every day, or at least every other day. Cloudy water is full of bacteria that block the stems.

3. Remove leaves below the water line

Leaves sitting in water rot quickly. Pull off any leaves that would be under water before you place the stems in the vase.

4. Keep them cool and away from fruit

• Avoid direct sunlight, heaters, AC vents and the top of the fridge.
• Keep flowers away from fruit bowls — ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas, which makes flowers wilt faster.
• At night, a cooler room helps them last longer.

Care tips for popular flowers

• Roses: remove the outer “guard” petals if they look tired; if a head droops, re-cut the stem and place it in warm water.
• Lilies: pull off the orange pollen tips as the flowers open — it stains clothes and tablecloths and the flowers last longer.
• Orchids: need very little water; keep them in bright, indirect light.
• Gerberas: use only a few centimetres of water — their soft stems rot if they stand too deep.

Plants instead of cut flowers?

If you want something that lasts for months, choose an indoor plant or preserved roses.

All our bouquets are made fresh for every order. Want to pick the flowers yourself? Build your own bouquet.

How long do different flowers last?

Vase life depends on the variety, the season and how the stems are cared for. As a general guide:

• Chrysanthemums (guldabari) and carnations: 10–14 days – the longest-lasting everyday flowers.
• Orchids: 7–14 days as cut stems, and months as a potted plant.
• Lilies: 7–10 days. Buds keep opening, so remove the pollen to protect the petals.
• Roses: 5–7 days. Dutch roses with thick stems usually last longer.
• Tulips and gerberas: 4–7 days. Gerberas like shallow water; tulips keep growing in the vase.
• Sunflowers: 6–10 days with fresh water every day.

Caring for flowers in Gurgaon's climate

Delhi NCR summers are hot and dry, and winters can be cold at night. In summer, keep flowers in the coolest room of the house and change the water twice a day if it warms up. Avoid placing vases near AC outlets, which dry out petals, or near windows with strong afternoon sun. In winter, keep flowers away from room heaters.

Should you use flower food?

Yes, if a sachet comes with your bouquet. Flower food contains sugar for energy, an acidifier to help stems drink, and a mild antibacterial agent. If you don't have any, a clean vase and daily water changes do most of the work – avoid home remedies like aspirin or coins, which make little difference.

Reviving drooping flowers

If roses start to droop, recut 2–3 cm off the stems under running water and stand them in deep, lukewarm water for an hour. Wrapping the heads loosely in paper while they drink helps them straighten. Remove any petals or leaves that have turned brown to stop bacteria spreading.

Boxes, baskets and bag arrangements

Flower boxes, hat boxes, baskets and gift-bag arrangements sit in wet floral foam rather than a vase. Add a little water to the foam every day – enough to keep it damp, not flooded – and keep the arrangement in a cool place.