How to Make Your Flowers Last: Our Favorite Flower Care Tips
There’s nothing quite like the joy of fresh flowers—whether it’s a hand-tied bouquet from a loved one or a centerpiece from your favorite event. At Blushing Dahlia, we believe flowers should be enjoyed for as long as possible, which is why we’re sharing our top flower care tips to help your blooms stay fresh, vibrant, and full of life.
Here’s a Summary of what we’ll be going over.
Quick Flower Care Tips:
Clean your vase before adding water.
Trim stems at a 45° angle.
Use fresh, cool water and change it every 1–2 days.
Keep flowers out of direct sun and away from heat/fruit.
Remove wilted blooms and leaves below the waterline.
Use flower food or a DIY mix (sugar + vinegar + bleach).
Handle delicate stems gently—garden blooms are naturally soft.
1. Start with a Clean Vase
Bacteria is the enemy of fresh flowers. Before placing your blooms in water, make sure your vase is thoroughly cleaned with warm soapy water. A quick rinse with white vinegar can also help keep things extra fresh.
2. Trim the Stems
Always give your stems a fresh cut at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water. This increases the surface area for hydration and helps your flowers absorb more water. For best results, use clean, sharp floral shears or scissors.
3. Use Fresh, Cool Water (and Change It Often!)
Fill your vase with cool, clean water—ideally filtered or distilled if you have it. Refresh the water every 1–2 days, and give the stems another small trim to prevent blockages in the stem tissue.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat
Place your flowers in a cool, shaded area away from heat vents, direct sunlight, and ripening fruit. Ethylene gas from fruit can cause premature wilting, and high temperatures can dehydrate your blooms.
5. Remove Spent Blooms and Foliage
As your arrangement matures, remove any wilting petals or leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth and keep the rest of your flowers happy.
6. Use Flower Food (or a Natural Alternative)
We include a flower food packet with many of our designs, but you can also make your own: mix 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, and a few drops of bleach in a quart of water. The sugar nourishes the flowers, the vinegar balances the pH, and the bleach controls bacteria.
7. Be Gentle with Garden-Grown Blooms
Many of the unique stems we grow and use at Blushing Dahlia are delicate and naturally whimsical. Don’t worry if a petal drops here or there—these blooms are full of character, and even as they age, they bring beauty in every stage.
Want More Flower Tips?
Follow us on Instagram @blushing_dahlia for behind-the-scenes looks at our design process, flower farming life, and more seasonal care advice!