Ultimate Guide to Flower Care by The Flower Shop London

The Flower Shop London Expert Tips for Long-Lasting Flowers

If you’ve ever received or purchased a beautiful bouquet, knowing how to care for flowers is key to maintaining their freshness, fragrance, and visual appeal. The Flower Shop London florists have decades of experience serving local households, weddings, and businesses, and are delighted to share their best advice for ensuring your blooms thrive. Whether you’re caring for a lavish centrepiece or a sweet posy, our wisdom covers all your floral needs throughout the seasons.

Preparation: Setting the Stage for Your Flowers

Before arranging your flowers, always start with a clean vase. Bacteria from previous arrangements can drastically reduce vase life, so thoroughly wash your vase with hot, soapy water and rinse well. Use fresh, room-temperature water – cold can shock flowers, while hot can accelerate wilting. The Flower Shop London uses filtered water for all our arrangements, giving flowers a pure start and reducing the risk of mineral build-up, so follow suit where possible.

Trim stems at a 45-degree angle using sharp, clean scissors or floral secateurs. Cutting at an angle increases water uptake and prevents stems from sitting flush to the base, improving hydration. Remove any leaves that would fall below the waterline; submerged foliage decomposes quickly and breeds bacteria, a key vase life hazard.

Daily Flower Care – Keeping Blooms Vibrant

Change the water every 1-2 days, especially during warmer months or if your flowers are displayed in a bright location. Each time you refresh the water, re-trim the stems to renew their ability to absorb moisture. Our florists at The Flower Shop London recommend using a flower food sachet, which comes with most of our bouquets. If you run out, a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of lemon juice can help – the sugar feeds the flowers, while the acid maintains water clarity and inhibits bacteria growth.

Temperatures and light are crucial: most cut flowers prefer a cool, shaded spot away from direct sunlight, radiators, or draughts. Bright, indirect light is perfect, but avoid placing arrangements near fruit bowls – ripening fruit emits ethylene gas, which can age flowers prematurely.

Seasonal Flower Care: Adapting to the Climate

Spring and summer bring delicate blooms like peonies, tulips, and hydrangeas. These flowers are particularly sensitive to heat and should be kept cool whenever possible. Top tip from The Flower Shop London: add a few ice cubes to the vase during heatwaves to lower water temperature.

During autumn and winter, heartier varieties such as chrysanthemums, alstroemerias, and lilies are in season. These flowers generally last longer, but central heating can dry them out fast. Mist the petals with a spray bottle and ensure water levels remain consistent to combat evaporation.

Expert Flower Care for Weddings and Events

For larger arrangements used in weddings or events, The Flower Shop London florists suggest assembling bouquets as close to the event time as possible and transporting them in water. If advance assembly is required, spritz with a light mist of water and store arrangements in a cool, dark room. For table centrepieces, tuck a piece of floral foam soaked in water into the vase base for continuous hydration throughout busy celebrations.

The Flower Shop London Flowers: Special Varieties and Their Needs

Some flower types need extra attention. Roses benefit from outer petal removal, known as ‘guard petals’ – this allows blooms to open beautifully. Tulips and daffodils tend to droop, but adding a few drops of bleach to the water or using a tall vase for extra neck support can help keep them upright.

For fragrant varieties like lilies and freesias, regularly remove pollen stamens to extend their display and prevent staining. Hydrangeas thrive if you submerge their heads in cool water for 30 minutes before arranging, reviving any signs of wilting. Orchids, with their sensitive roots, do best with rain or distilled water, lightly misted onto petals rather than filled deep into the vase.

Vase Life Hacks from The Flower Shop London

The longevity of your arrangement often comes down to a few clever tricks. Use a clear vase so you can easily monitor water clarity and levels. If a flower starts wilting prematurely, remove it immediately – this stops bacteria from spreading. Add a drop or two of household bleach (about one teaspoon per litre of water) as an antibacterial. If you’re out of flower food, dissolving an aspirin tablet in the water can sometimes help maintain pH and reduce bacteria as well.

If your flowers start to look droopy or tired, try the professional florist ‘revive’ technique: recut the stems, plunge them in warm water for 20-30 minutes, then return to fresh, cool water. Many blooms will perk up and regain vibrancy almost overnight.

Presentation and Arrangement Tips

Our Flower Shop London florists recommend arranging flowers by height and texture: tallest stems go in the centre, with mid-length flowers radiating out and delicate, trailing blooms at the edges. This not only looks balanced but also ensures that all stems receive ample hydration and airflow.

Cluster similar varieties for visual cohesion, or break up colour blocks with greenery for a fresh, seasonal look. Rotate the vase each day to ensure even light exposure and to appreciate your arrangement from every angle. For corporate or household displays, opt for mixed seasonal bunches – they tend to last longer, as shorter-lived blooms can be replenished without disturbing the entire arrangement.

Professional Do’s and Don’ts for Flower Longevity

Do:

• Display flowers away from open windows, air vents, and ripening fruits.
• Trim stems every time you change water.
• Wash vases thoroughly between uses.
• Mix blooms of similar life spans together.

Don’t:

• Expose flowers to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
• Use unfiltered tap water if you’re in a hard water area.
• Forget to remove fading blooms promptly.
• Overcrowd stems; give each bloom room to breathe.

Why Choose The Flower Shop London Florists’ Advice?

Our team brings years of floral expertise to every arrangement, no matter the occasion. Whether you need flowers for your home, a wedding celebration, or a statement piece for your workspace, The Flower Shop London is trusted locally for premium blooms and exceptional care advice. We know that each stem tells a story, so our professional tips are designed to help you enjoy your flowers at their best, longer.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Every Day with Better Flower Care

Caring for flowers is a blend of science and art, but with these trusted tips from The Flower Shop London, your bouquets will stay looking fresh, fragrant, and full of life. Season after season, event after event, our care routines ensure every arrangement delivers lasting beauty and joy. Whether you’re gifting, celebrating, or simply bringing a touch of nature into your surroundings, well-cared-for flowers brighten every space and moment. For enduring floral elegance, trust advice direct from the florists who serve London’s homes and businesses every day.