LONG LASTINGFLOWERS

When buying a bouquet to brighten your home, it’s always guaranteed to deliver a smile to your face. Of course, you want those stunning flowers to stay as fresh and vibrant as possible. So, what can you do to make your beautiful bouquet last a little longer?

Here’s some good news, there are flowers that last a long time, giving you plenty of time to enjoy their charm. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite long-lasting flowers to keep your vase looking full of life for days (and sometimes weeks) to come, plus some tips to keep them thriving even longer.

How long do flowers last?

If you buy a bouquet the flowers should typically last around 7 to 10 days, but this depends on the type of bloom and how well they’re cared for. Treat your flowers right, and they’ll reward you by sticking around even longer! That means cutting the stems at an angle before placing them in a vase of clean water. Make sure you change the water every few days to help keep them at their best.

When you order from us, your blooms come with a 7-day freshness guarantee. We also send them in bud, ensuring they’re at their freshest when they arrive at your doorstep.

But if you want your flowers (and the joy!) to last even longer, there are some stems that have a long vase life.

Best long-lasting flowers

So, what flowers can you pick if you want them to go the extra mile? Luckily, some top long lasting cut flowers really know how to go the distance.

Carnations

Here’s a classic bloom you can easily get your hands on - carnations. These timeless flowers are incredibly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. With their frilly petals, they’re wonderfully versatile and you can get them in a rainbow of colours. Best of all, they’re known for their long vase life, often lasting up to three weeks and they manage that with very little effort. All they need is room-temperature water and a cool environment to thrive. To prolong their flowering, be sure to recut the stems every few days – it helps them to drink up the much-needed water.

Chrysanthemums

If you’re looking to add texture to your vase arrangements, chrysanthemums are a perfect pick. They pair beautifully with other blooms but look equally stunning on their own, especially when you mix different colours and varieties. Popular varieties include single blooms, quilled blooms, spider blooms, pompons, and even anemones - yes, these cushion-like flowers are part of the chrysanthemum family too! With some care, chrysanthemums can last up to three weeks. To keep them fresh, refresh their water regularly and let them settle in a cool, dark spot on their first evening in a vase. Handle them gently though, as their heads can be a bit fragile and may shatter with rough handling.

Alstroemeria

Although their resemblance to miniature lilies may make these exotic blooms look delicate and fragile, alstroemeria are very hardy. They’re so tough and long-lasting that they can boast an impressive vase life of up to two weeks. Be careful though, these blooms are thirsty flowers and to keep them looking at their best you need to ensure they have plenty of fresh water. Regularly check the water level and top up as needed, ideally changing the water entirely for optimal freshness. Additionally, alstroemeria aren’t fans of direct sunlight, so it’s best to keep them in a cool spot to help them thrive.

Freesias

Freesias are not only visually stunning but also loved for their beautifully sweet fragrance. Pop these flowers into your vase while they are still in bud and they can last for up to three weeks – it’s all down to their slow blooming process. Freesias come in a vibrant range of colours, including red, yellow, orange, purple, and white, making them a bright and cheerful addition to any home. These blooms can handle a bit of light and coolness, so a conservatory or porch is the ideal spot for them. You don’t need to change your water daily, twice a week and occasional top-ups will do just fine. Plus, if you want to guarantee their longevity – go for yellow and white freesias which have the longest vase life.

Roses

Time for everyone’s favourite – roses. These gorgeous, long-lasting flowers are available in so many different colours and styles, there is bound to be one that you can fall in love with. When looking for roses that will go the distance you need to pick your flowers carefully. First, ensure they are in partial bud form, cut the end of the stems at an angle and then place them in clean water. Keep the vase in a cool spot and make sure you change the water every couple of days. Change the water every and give the stems another cut at the same time. Depending on the freshness of the rose and variety they can last up to two weeks.

How to make flowers last longer

So, you’ve brought some beautiful blooms home. Now what do you do? As mentioned earlier, the secret to making them last longer is down to how well you care for them. For a detailed, step-by-step guide check out our Flower Care Guide, but here’s a quick rundown to get you started!

First things first, don’t leave your flowers sitting around when you get home. Pop them straight into a clean vase filled with room-temperature water, and a packet of flower food. If you wait too long, the stems can seal themselves, making it harder for them to absorb water.

Here’s a tip: wash the vase with hot, soapy water before you use it to avoid bacteria. Once clean, fill it about two-thirds full of water, or halfway if your flowers have softer stems. If the stems feel dry or sealed, trim them at a 45-degree angle to help them absorb water more efficiently. While you’re at it, remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline, these can decay and make the water cloudy.

Think about where you’re placing your flowers. Keep them away from drafts, radiators, or other heat sources, as sudden temperature changes can make them wilt faster. Direct sunlight is another no-go, although it might look pretty it will shorten their lifespan.

Here’s a surprising one, keep your flowers away from ripening fruit! Fruit releases ethylene gas, which speeds up the wilting process which is especially bad for flowers like the orchid.

From there, it’s all about maintenance. Change the water every few days and trim the stems again to ensure they keep drinking. Oh, and don’t forget to keep topping up the flower food!

There you have it, some wonderful long-lasting blooms for you and your family to enjoy! Plus, by following the simple tips we’ve shared, you can keep them fresh and vibrant for longer. After all, flowers will only stick around if they’re happy!