Ever received flowers and wasn't sure how to best care for them? Do you know the difference between a bouquet and an arrangement? And should you refrigerate flowers? We've answered all the commonly asked fresh flower questions we've received over the years.
Do I need to change the water?
It's ideal to change the water every day in your fresh flower arrangement, however, every other day is fine too. The reason for this is to prevent the water from getting icky which will actually shorten the life of your flowers.
You may have seen it before where seemingly from one day to the next the water in a flower vase has become cloudy and probably a little smelly too. This is due to the build-up of bacteria caused by the decaying flowers. When a flower is cut it starts a cycle of decay-causing the stems to grow slimy if the water is not changed frequently especially since it's stagnant water.
To prevent bacteria from building up and prolong the life of your cut flowers, we recommend changing the water every day or every other day. To avoid messing up the carefully arranged flowers, gently tilt the arrangement over your sink and pour the water out. Afterward, fill your vase with fresh water. We recommend filtered water versus tap due to the minerals in tap water.
If you're sending flowers to someone who may not be able to regularly change the water, then we recommend going with a dried flower arrangement since they require no water. Shop them here.
Where should I place my fresh flowers? Should I ever refrigerate?
Where you place your flowers is just as important as changing the water. We once had a client who had received flowers and called the next day to report that they had all dried up and died. When we spoke to her she mentioned she had placed them on a coffee table just in front of a fireplace she had on that evening. This resulted in the flowers getting literally baked with the strong heat from the fire.
Flowers are very delicate when it comes to where they are placed. Put them someplace too warm and they will quickly wither. We always recommend keeping your new flower arrangement out of direct or bright indirect sunlight, as well as away from ripening fruit which releases a type of gas that will age your flowers faster, and let's not forget those curious pets.
To keep your flowers fresh for longer, try putting them in your refrigerator overnight. Just be sure to place them in the middle of the shelf and not up against the walls or too far back where it may get too cold and freeze the flowers.
What are low-maintenance flowers? And which lasts the longest?
This is probably one of the most frequent requests we get from our clients and for obvious reasons. No one wants to send flowers that will perish in a matter of days especially if they're investing a good amount into it.
The sad reality is that some flowers simply don't last as long as others. Dahlias for example, as gorgeous as they may be simply don't last for more than three to four days. Forget to change the water or let your home get too stuffy and their appearance will dramatically decline from one day to the next. Rather than ask for a lot of dahlias, unless you don't mind their short lives, ask for pops of dahlias but be open to other flowers in your arrangement too.
Believe it or not, carnations are among one of the most long-lasting flowers and they're easy to care for. Unlike some other flowers, carnations are hearty and keep their freshness easier. Their petals will remain crisp and full of color even a week after they've been cut. With proper care, we've heard of some lasting for an entire month! However, we understand that not everyone is keen on carnations.
Other long-lasting flowers besides carnations include chrysanthemums, roses, lisianthus, gladiolus, protea, and cymbidium orchids for tropical flower lovers, scabiosa, thistle, and ranunculus. There are other long-lasting flowers but these are the ones we usually have in stock and can therefore stand by.
Why do tropical flowers cost more?
Tropical flowers cost more because they are often imported which drives up their price. This also goes for tropical greenery which will cost more than various eucalyptus, for example.
What is a "good" size arrangement?
Small arrangements are typically in the under $100 range, while large are $150 and higher. Then there are medium-size arrangements between $100 and $150 which are the most commonly purchased price points. We think this size is great if you desire a mix of premium flowers and the size is ideal for a kitchen island or as a centerpiece. Of course, what qualifies as a "good" size will vary from one person to the other. We think any size flower arrangement is great.
