Keep Your Flowers Fresh: 7 Indoor Flower Care Mistakes to Avoid
There’s nothing like a fresh bouquet to brighten up your space! Whether it’s a cheerful bunch on the kitchen table or a stunning arrangement in the entryway. But if your blooms are wilting faster than you'd hoped, it might not be the flowers—it might be a few easy mistakes in caring for your blooms.
At Boutique Blooms, we want your arrangements to last as long as possible! Here are 7 common indoor flower care mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not Trimming the Stems
When caring for florals in a hand tied arrangement, one important factor in flower care is cutting the stems. A fresh cut in the stem will allow the flower to drink water properly, otherwise the stem might be too dry to absorb water. For optimal water absorption, we recommend cutting the flower stems at a 45 degree angle to increase the amount of surface area that is able to drink water.
Using Dirty Vases
That beautiful vase you pulled out from last spring? It could be hiding bacteria that will shorten the life of your flowers. Dirty vases lead to cloudy water, unpleasant smells, and faster wilting flowers. Give your vase a good wash with hot, soapy water before each use. A quick rinse isn't enough!
Forgetting to Change the Water
Stagnant water is a flower’s worst enemy. It creates bacteria that clog stems and leave flowers thirsty. We recommend changing the water every 2–3 days. Rinse the vase, re-trim the stems slightly, and add fresh flower food if you have it.
Placing Flowers in Direct Sunlight or Heat
It might seem like a sunny windowsill is a good spot for your bouquet, but strong light and heat will cause the flowers to fade and wilt faster. We would suggest avoiding direct sunlight, radiators, and vents. A cool spot with indirect light is best and will aid in helping your flowers last longer!
Avoid Ethylene Producing Fruits
Fruits like apples and bananas give off ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process of blooms. Keep flowers away from fruit bowls or compost bins.
Overcrowding the Vase
You know the saying "The more the merrier"? Well that is not the case as far as floral stems in a vase go! Too many stems in one vase means less air circulation and more competition for water. This often leads to moldy petals and quick drooping. If the bouquet feels tight in the vase, divide it between two vessels to give each bloom room to breathe!
Skipping Flower Food
Those little packets we include with hand ties and vase arrangements? They aren’t just an extra—they’re essential! Flower food helps prevent bacteria and keeps water balanced. If you finished your first packet of food and don't have another, you can DIY with a teaspoon of sugar, a few drops of vinegar, and a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice in the water!
Taking a little time to care for your flowers goes a long way. Whether they’re a gift, a treat for yourself, or part of your home’s vibe, fresh flowers deserve some love.
Need a fresh bouquet or more flower care tips? Stop by Boutique Blooms or shop online—we’re always happy to help you make your flowers last longer and look better!