At Flowers by Joanne, we want you to enjoy your flowers for as long as possible. With the right care, most cut flowers last 4–7 days, and some varieties even longer. Follow these simple tips to make the most of your bouquet or arrangement.

💐 General Care Tips for All Flowers

• Start with a clean vase – wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove bacteria.

• Trim the stems – cut 2–3 cm off at a 45° angle before placing in water, and repeat every 2–3 days.

• Remove leaves below the waterline – this prevents rotting and keeps the water clear.

• Use fresh water and flower food – always use clean, room-temperature water. Refresh every 2–3 days.

• Avoid heat and sunlight – keep flowers away from direct sun, heaters, air vents, and draughts.

• Keep away from fruit – ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which speeds up wilting.

• Refrigerate overnight if possible – placing flowers in a cool spot or fridge (away from fruit) helps extend vase life.

🌹 Roses & Delicate Blooms

• Vase life: 4–7 days

• Keep roses cool and hydrated. Remove any leaves below the waterline, trim stems every two days, and refresh vase water regularly.

• Avoid direct sun or heaters, which cause petals to brown faster.

• Roses are sensitive to bacteria, so clean water is essential.

🌸 Lilies & Fragrant Blooms

• Vase life: 6–10 days

• Remove pollen stamens once flowers open to reduce staining and extend life.

• Trim stems every few days and display in a cool area.

• Pair with long-lasting greenery to help support stems.

🌺 Orchids & Tropical Flowers

• Vase life: Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) cut stems last around 10–21 days. Cut Cymbidium orchids can last up to 3–4 weeks with excellent care — premium NZ growers like Joshua Orchids are known for their long-lasting stems.

• Keep in bright, indirect light with gentle humidity.

• Mist lightly if the air is dry and always use fresh water.

• Avoid overcrowding stems in small vases to prevent bruising.

🌼 Seasonal Bouquets

• Tulips & Daffodils → 4–6 days — prefer cooler rooms with daily water changes.

• Sunflowers → 7–12 days, sometimes up to 2 weeks. Very thirsty, so keep water topped up and stems freshly cut.

• Gerberas → 5–7 days — keep in a clean vase, as dirty water makes stems weak and prone to drooping.

• Chrysanthemums → 10–14 days — one of the longest-lasting cut flowers.

• Dahlias → 4–7 days, though some varieties (e.g. Waterlily, Karma) may reach 7–12 days with proper care.

• Peonies → 3–5 days — they open quickly and fade just as fast.

☀️ Flower Care in Hot Weather

• Flowers dry out and age faster in summer.

• Change vase water daily.

• Move arrangements into a cooler room overnight.

• Mist delicate petals like orchids and lilies to keep them fresh.

• On very hot days, flowers can be placed in the fridge for a few hours (away from fruit).

🌿 Arrangements in Floral Foam

• Do not remove stems from the foam.

• Keep the foam consistently moist by topping up with clean water daily.