Flower Care Guide: How to Make Your Fresh & Dried Flowers Last Longer
Every Vintage Vines Designs bouquet is handmade in Singapore with fresh, carefully chosen blooms. Follow these simple tips to enjoy your flowers for as long as possible.
Fresh Flower Care Tips
Unwrap and place in water as soon as possible. Your bouquet has been out of water during delivery, so give it a drink right away.
Trim the stems. Cut 2–3 cm off each stem at a 45° angle with clean, sharp scissors, so the stems can absorb more water.
Remove leaves below the waterline. Submerged leaves rot quickly and cloud the water.
Change the water every 2 days. Rinse the vase, refill with clean room-temperature water, and give the stems a fresh trim.
Keep them cool. Place your flowers away from direct sunlight, air-con vents, fans and fruit bowls. Ripening fruit releases a gas that makes flowers wilt faster.
Care Tips by Flower Type
Sunflowers
Give them plenty of water. Sunflowers are very thirsty, so use a tall, sturdy vase and top up the water daily.
Support the heads. Their heavy blooms need a vase that holds the stems upright.
Expect 6–10 days of sunny cheer with good care.
Roses
Trim under running water. This stops air bubbles from blocking the stems.
Revive drooping heads. If a rose starts to droop, recut the stem and lay the whole rose in a basin of cool water for an hour.
Remove the outer petals if they look bruised. These guard petals protect the bloom during delivery.
Expect 5–7 days of beauty.
Carnations
Cut just above a stem joint (node). Carnations drink better when cut between the joints.
Keep them far from fruit. Carnations are especially sensitive to the gas from ripening fruit.
Expect 2–3 weeks, making carnations one of the longest-lasting fresh flowers.
Lilies
Remove the pollen. Gently pull off the orange pollen tips as each bloom opens. This prevents stains and helps the flowers last longer.
If pollen gets on fabric, lift it off with sticky tape. Don't rub, as rubbing spreads the stain.
Keep away from cats. Lilies are highly toxic to cats, including the pollen and vase water.
Expect 1–2 weeks, as buds open gradually over time.
Hydrangeas
Keep them well hydrated. Hydrangeas drink through their petals as well as their stems, so mist the blooms lightly every day.
Revive wilted heads. Submerge the whole flower head in cool water for 30–60 minutes, and it should perk back up.
Cut stems at a sharp angle to help them absorb more water.
Expect 4–7 days of fresh blooms.
Seasonal Flowers
Tulips keep growing in the vase and bend toward light. Use shallow water and rotate the vase daily so they stay straight.
Peonies open faster in warm water. Use cool water if you'd like to slow them down.
Gerberas prefer shallow water, just a few centimetres, as their stems soften easily.
Ask us about care for your seasonal bouquet. Every bloom is a little different, and we're happy to share tips.
Dried Flower Care Tips
Keep them dry. Never water or mist dried flowers. Display them away from bathrooms, kitchens and humid spots, as Singapore's humidity can cause them to droop or develop mould.
Avoid direct sunlight. Strong light fades the colours over time.
Handle gently. Dried stems and petals are delicate and can break easily.
Dust lightly. Use a soft brush, or a hairdryer on a cool, low setting held at a distance.
Expect 1–2 years or more with proper care.
Caring for a preserved flower dome or frame? See our Preserved Flower Care Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fresh flowers last?
Most fresh bouquets last 5–7 days, while carnations can last up to 3 weeks with good care.
Why are my flowers drooping?
Drooping is usually caused by dehydration or air blocking the stems. Recut the stems at an angle and place them in fresh, clean water.
Are dried flowers suitable for Singapore's weather?
Yes. Keep them in a dry, air-conditioned or well-ventilated room, away from humidity.