How do you keep a bouquet of fresh flowers?

Short answer: To make a bouquet of fresh flowers last as long as possible, cut the stems at an angle, change the water every two days, remove any submerged leaves and keep it away from heat, draughts and fruit. Well cared for, a bouquet stays fresh for five days to two weeks depending on the flowers.

A few simple gestures make all the difference.

When it arrives

Trim one to two centimetres off each stem, at an angle, with clean secateurs or a knife. A clean, slanted cut increases the surface for absorption and stops the stem from crushing against the bottom of the vase.

The water

Use a clean vase filled with fresh water. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline: submerged, they rot quickly and cloud the water. Refresh the water every two days, and trim the stems a little each time you do.

Where to place it

Set the bouquet out of direct sunlight, away from any heat source and from draughts. Keep it away from a fruit bowl too: fruit releases a gas that speeds up the ageing of flowers.

As the days go by

Remove faded flowers as you go: they don't just spoil the look of the bouquet, they hasten the decline of the others.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bouquet of fresh flowers last?

Between five days and two weeks depending on the varieties and the care it receives. Seasonal, freshly cut flowers generally hold up better.

Should you add sugar or bleach to the water?

The most effective thing is still clean water, changed regularly.

My bouquet wilts quickly, why?

Most often, the stem is no longer taking up water. Cut it back at an angle and change the water: the flowers often recover within a few hours.