You’ve received a beautiful NYC flower arrangement and have it proudly displayed. But how can you maintain the bright look of your fresh cut flowers? Reduce and Minimize Bacteria The first go-to for keeping your flowers looking bright and lively is to keep the arrangement’s water clean of bacteria.

There are several ways to do this:

• You can use the floral extender packet often included with fresh cut arrangements

• Add an aspirin (true aspirin, not ibuprofen or acetaminophen) to the water

• Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of sugar to the water

• Put three drops of bleach and one tablespoon of sugar per quart of water

There are many other tricks to keep that bacteria away! Always be sure to fully change the water every two days as another means of prevention. Re-cut the Stems Another way to lengthen the life of your gorgeous NYC flower delivery is to re-cut the stems. Use a sharp un-serrated blade that doesn’t apply to much squeezing pressure – for instance, use a sharp knife versus scissors. Using a sharp blade and cutting the stem at an angle keeps the stem’s water-absorbing vessels open – if you apply squeezing pressure, it might clamp these vessels and prevent water from traveling up the stem. Cut your flowers while immersed in fresh water. Doing this prevents the end of the stem from drying out – when a stem’s base dries, it sucks in tiny bubbles of air and will be unable to take in water, which results in wilted flowers. In order to keep those blossoms lovely, the stems should be cut as soon as you receive your flowers, then every time you change their water. This will definitely keep your flowers looking beautiful!

‍Things to Avoid

‍Try to avoid placing your arrangement near fresh fruit. Some fruit, especially apples, emit a gas called ethylene which will shorten the life of your blooms. Placing your flowers in the sun will cause them to mature more rapidly, so it’s best to place them in a shady spot in your environment. The only time you want your flowers in a sunny or warm area is when you’re forcing the flowers to bloom more quickly. Enjoy! When you receive your flowers, you want them to last as long as possible. With these tips, you’ll be helping your fresh cut flowers to thrive, live longer and brighten the space around them.

For more tips please visit our care page here.