Want your bouquet to stay fresh in a vase for as long as possible – even up to 14 days? It’s not a matter of luck or expensive products. All it takes is a few simple habits we use every day in our flower shop. Learn how to properly trim the stems, the ideal water temperature, and what to avoid near your vase.

1. Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife

As soon as you get home, trim each stem by 2–3 cm, at an angle of about 45°. An angled cut increases the surface through which the flower absorbs water and keeps the stem from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase. Use a sharp knife or garden shears – blunt scissors crush the stem and clog its water channels.

Repeat the cut every 2–3 days when you change the water. The end of the stem gradually seals up, making it harder for the flower to drink.

2. Remove leaves below the waterline

Leaves left submerged in water quickly start to rot and become a breeding ground for bacteria, which clog the stems and shorten the life of the whole bouquet. That’s why you should strip off all leaves that would sit below the waterline – only clean stems should be in the water.

3. A clean vase and lukewarm water

Wash the vase thoroughly before use, ideally with hot water and a drop of washing-up liquid. Most cut flowers drink best from lukewarm water at around 20 °C – cold tap water is a shock to them, while hot water scalds them.

Change the water every 2 days– don’t just top it up.
If your bouquet came with a sachet of flower food, be sure to use it – it contains nutrients as well as antibacterial agents.
The water should reach at least a third of the vase’s height.

4. Choose the right spot for your vase

Even the freshest bouquet will wilt quickly in the wrong place. Keep your vase away from direct sunlight, radiators and draughts. Also watch out for the fruit bowl: ripe apples, bananas and pears release ethylene – a gas that speeds up ageing and petal drop.

Florist’s tip: if you can, move your bouquet to a cooler room overnight. The lower temperature slows down ageing and keeps the flowers fresh for longer.

5. Remove wilted flowers regularly

Remove wilting flowers and yellowed leaves as you go. They don’t just look untidy – they take water and nutrients from the rest of the bouquet and are a source of bacteria. If some flowers fade sooner, you can shorten the rest of the bouquet and move it to a smaller vase, where it will look full again.

But the key to long-lasting flowers is freshness at the time of purchase – that’s why at Elario we work with regularly delivered flowers and arrange every bouquet only once it’s ordered.

Looking for a bouquet that will bring you joy for as long as possible? Browse our flower selection with delivery across Prague.