Flower Care Guide
Expert tips to keep your blooms fresh and beautiful
Maximize the Life of Your Flowers
With proper care, your Petals & Pines arrangement can bring beauty and joy for days or even weeks. Follow our expert florists' advice to ensure your flowers stay fresh, vibrant, and stunning.
1. Unpack and Prep Immediately
Upon arrival: Remove your flowers from their packaging as soon as possible. Flowers need air circulation and access to water.
Clean your vase: Use a clean vase washed with hot, soapy water. Any bacteria remaining in the vase can significantly shorten flower life.
Trim the stems: Cut 1-2 inches off each stem at a 45-degree angle using sharp scissors or floral shears. This increases the surface area for water absorption and prevents stems from sitting flat on the vase bottom.
2. Water Wisely
Use room temperature water: Fill your vase with fresh, lukewarm water. Cold water can shock delicate stems.
Add flower food: If we've provided flower food packets, dissolve one completely in the water. These contain nutrients and antibacterial agents that extend flower life.
Fill appropriately: Fill the vase about 3/4 full. Too much water can cause stem rot; too little won't hydrate properly.
Change water regularly: Replace the water every 2-3 days, or whenever it becomes cloudy. Re-cut stems each time you change the water.
3. Remove Foliage Below the Waterline
Strip lower leaves: Remove any leaves that would sit in the water. Submerged foliage rots quickly, creating bacteria that clogs stems and shortens flower life.
Keep upper leaves: Preserve leaves above the waterline—they add to the arrangement's beauty and are part of the design.
Remove spent blooms: As individual flowers fade, remove them from the arrangement. This keeps the remaining flowers healthier and maintains the arrangement's appearance.
4. Location Matters
Avoid direct sunlight: While flowers need light, direct sun causes them to wilt faster. Choose a bright spot with indirect light.
Keep away from heat sources: Don't place arrangements near radiators, heating vents, fireplaces, or electronics that emit heat.
Avoid drafts: Keep flowers away from fans, air conditioning vents, and frequently opened doors or windows. Temperature fluctuations stress flowers.
Separate from fruit: Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which causes flowers to age prematurely. Keep arrangements away from fruit bowls.
5. Flower-Specific Care
Roses: Re-cut stems daily and remove guard petals (outer petals that may look bruised—they protect inner petals during transport).
Lilies: Remove pollen-heavy stamens to prevent staining and extend bloom life. The flowers will last longer and won't leave orange marks.
Tulips: Keep water level lower (2-3 inches) and add ice cubes to the water. Tulips continue growing in the vase and prefer cold water.
Hydrangeas: These are very thirsty! Keep water levels high and mist petals daily. If they wilt, fully submerge in cool water for an hour.
Sunflowers: Change water frequently as sunflowers can make water cloudy quickly. Keep them in a sturdy vase as stems become heavy.
Quick Tips for Vancouver's Climate
🌧️ Humid Days
Vancouver's humidity can actually help flowers last longer. On particularly humid days, you may not need to mist your arrangements as frequently.
☀️ Summer Care
During hot summer days, move arrangements to the coolest room in your home. Consider adding ice cubes to the water to keep it cool.
❄️ Winter Precautions
Protect flowers from cold drafts when entering/exiting. The temperature shock can cause petals to brown quickly.
💧 Water Quality
Vancouver's water is great for flowers! If you have a water filtration system, filtered water is ideal, but tap water works perfectly.
Need More Advice?
Every flower is unique, and we're here to help! If you have questions about caring for a specific arrangement, don't hesitate to reach out.
Contact Our Experts