How to make cut flowers last longer at home

Most flowers arrive at their best and then decline faster than they need to. A few straightforward habits can add three to five days to the life of a bunch, and none of them require special products or equipment.

Start with a clean vase ¶

Bacteria in the vase water is the main reason flowers die early. A vase that looks clean often isn't. Wash it with hot soapy water before you use it, rinse it well, and fill it with fresh cold water. This matters more than any flower food sachet.

Cut the stems properly ¶

Cut about 2cm off the bottom of each stem at an angle, using a sharp knife or scissors. The angle increases the surface area for water uptake. Do this under running water or immediately before putting the stems in the vase, so air doesn't get into the cut end before the stem hits the water.

Woody stems (like roses or chrysanthemums) benefit from a slightly longer cut and can be scored up the side of the stem to help water absorption. Hollow-stemmed flowers like delphiniums can be turned upside down, filled with water, and plugged with a small piece of cotton wool before placing in the vase.

Where you put them matters ¶

Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators, and fruit bowls. Ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas, which accelerates the ageing of flowers. A cool room is better than a warm one. If you have a particularly hot house in summer, putting the flowers in a cool room overnight can extend their life noticeably.

Change the water every two days ¶

This is the step most people skip. Fresh water every two days, with a new stem cut each time, makes a significant difference. If the water starts to smell, the flowers are already past their best and the bacteria are winning.

Some flowers, like tulips, keep drinking a lot of water and need topping up daily rather than a full change every two days. Dahlias are thirsty and benefit from a deep vase with plenty of water.

None of this is complicated, but it does require paying a bit of attention to the flowers once they're home. The effort is worth it.