Flower Care 101: How to Keep Your Blooms Fresh & Beautiful

Whether you’ve ordered a bouquet for yourself (we love that for you) or received a floral delivery from someone who clearly has excellent taste, proper flower care makes all the difference. As your trusted local florist offering the best flowers in Valparaiso, we want your blooms to last as long and look as lovely as possible.

Here’s your simple, arrangement-specific guide to caring for fresh flowers once they arrive home—and how to treat them over the next 1–2 days for maximum life and beauty.

FRESH CUT BOUQUETS (Also Called Wrapped Flowers)

Perfect for: DIY lovers, gift givers, and anyone who appreciates a little creativity.

When You First Bring Them Home

1. Unwrap with care
Remove all paper, plastic, and rubber bands or chenille stems.

2. Trim the stems
Cut a ½ inch off each stem at a sharp angle using clean scissors or floral shears. Florist Fact: Tulips, Ranunculus, and Dahlias don't require an angle cut on their stems.

3. Pick your vase and fill with fresh water
Use cool, clean water. Add the flower food we’ve tucked inside your wrapping.

4. Remove any leaves below the waterline
This keeps bacteria from forming and helps your fresh blooms last longer.

Care for the Next 1–2 Days

Refresh the water daily (cloudy water = unhappy flowers).
Give stems a little re-trim if they start to wilt.
Keep your florals away from heat vents, direct sunlight, or fruit bowls (bananas are the enemy because they release ethylene gas!).

VASED ARRANGEMENTS

Perfect for: Grab-and-go beauty, gifting, and anyone who doesn’t want to fuss.

When Your Arrangement Arrives

1. Top off the water
Your arrangement arrives fully hydrated, but flowers drink fast. Add cool water until the vase is nearly full.

2. Choose the right spot
Keep your arrangement in a cool room, away from bright sunlight, heating vents, or temperature extremes. This extends the vase life significantly.

3. Leave the design intact
Your florist already balanced the stems—no need to rearrange unless you’re feeling brave.

Care for the Next 1–2 Days

Check the water level daily. Add fresh water again (flowers are thirst monsters).
On day 2 or 3, pour out and replace all the water and re-trim the stems to maximize hydration.
Remove any blooms or greenery that begin to wilt to help the rest last longer.

BASKET ARRANGEMENTS & CENTERPIECES

Perfect for: Holidays, gifting, sympathy, and seasonal home decorating.

When You First Bring Them Home

Basket and centerpiece designs usually come in floral foam, which means:

1. Do not pour water directly onto the flowers.
Instead, add water slowly into the foam area or directly into the container so the foam can rehydrate. If your basket includes hydrangeas, focus your pour near those blooms.

2. Place on a protective surface
Condensation or occasional drips can happen, especially with winter evergreens.

3. Set the scene
Cool rooms with indirect light help these designs last longest. Avoid fireplaces, windows with direct sun, and hot kitchens.

Care for the Next 1–2 Days

Check the foam daily: if it feels light or dry, slowly add water until saturated. If the arrangement includes hydrangeas, definitely add water daily.
Keep the design away from pets who love to nibble (looking at you, cats).
Remove any wilted blooms to keep the design fresh and bright. If an empty spot occurs, low hanging or skirt greens are great to relocate.

Final Word From Your Local Valparaiso Florist

A little love goes a long way. Following these simple steps will help your arrangement stay vibrant and long-lasting. Each our our arrangements is inspected before it leaves our shop, whether with you (order pick up) or with our drivers (order delivery).

If you ever have questions about a specific flower type or want long-lasting blooms for your home, we’re always happy to help you choose the best flowers for the season.