What to Do When You Bring Fresh Flowers Home

You've just brought home a beautiful bouquet. You admire it, find the perfect spot for it... and then wonder, "Okay, what am I actually supposed to do now?"

The good news is that caring for fresh flowers doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple steps when you first bring them home can help your flowers settle in and stay beautiful for longer.

1. Remove the wrapping

If you've received a wrapped bouquet, gently remove the bouquet wrapping when you're ready to put the flowers into a vase.

The wrapping is there to protect and present your flowers, but once they're home, the stems need access to fresh water.

If you've bought loose flowers, you can move straight on to preparing them for the vase.

2. Prepare a clean vase

Before your flowers go into a vase, give it a good wash with detergent and water to remove any dirt or residue.

Fill it with fresh tap water and make sure the vase is large enough to comfortably hold your flowers.

A clean vase gives your flowers a fresh start and helps keep their water in better condition.

3. Give the stems a fresh cut

Before placing your flowers into the vase, give the stems a fresh cut at approximately 45 degrees using clean floral shears.

Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, along with any obviously damaged petals or foliage.

For loose flowers, you may have a little more conditioning to do simply because they haven't already been prepared as part of a finished bouquet.

That's really all you need to get them started.

4. Get them into fresh water

Once your flowers are prepared, get them into fresh water as soon as you can.

If you have time to fully condition and arrange your flowers, wonderful. But if life gets in the way, don't stress.

Hydration first, perfection later.

You can always finish conditioning and arranging them properly when you have more time.

5. Find them a comfortable spot

Now comes the easy part: find your flowers a comfortable spot.

A cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight and heat is ideal.

I'd also keep flowers away from fruit and avoid placing them directly in front of a fan or air-conditioner where strong airflow can dry them out.

You don't need a special room or professional equipment. Just look around your home for somewhere naturally cooler and away from direct heat.

Can I Put Fresh Flowers in the Fridge?

You may have heard that keeping flowers in the refrigerator can help them last longer. For most homes, I'd avoid it.

A professional floral chiller is very different from a household refrigerator. Your fridge contains fruits and vegetables that can release ethylene gas, and flowers can also be bruised or damaged when they come into contact with food containers and other items inside.

Unless you have a proper floral chiller, a cool, shaded spot at home is a much better option.

We'll be taking a closer look at why household refrigerators aren't the flower-saving solution they seem to be in a future OBF Journal article.

Remember: every flower is different

One final thing to remember: flowers aren't all the same.

Hydrangeas are famously thirsty. Lilies can take their time to open. Tulips continue to grow after being cut.

That's why there isn't one single flower-care rule that works perfectly for every variety.

If you'd like to learn more about caring for fresh flowers, start with How to Make Fresh Flowers Last Longer, my florist's guide to keeping your blooms looking their best.

And when Kept in Bloom is available, it will be my practical flower-care guide for anyone who wants a more comprehensive reference to keep at home.

And that's it. 🌿

You don't need a complicated routine to enjoy fresh flowers at home. Remove the wrapping, give the stems a fresh cut, place them in a clean vase with fresh water, and find them a cool, comfortable spot.

A little care goes a long way — so don't overthink it. Just enjoy your flowers.