Happy belated Valentine's Day from all of us at Irvine Village Flowers! We hope the special someone in your life (or maybe you treated yourself!) is still smiling at the beautiful bouquet you received from our shop. Those fresh blooms – whether classic red roses, elegant tulips, cheerful carnations, or a romantic mixed arrangement – were hand-selected and arranged with love to make your day extra special.
The good news? With a little TLC, your Valentine's flowers can stay vibrant and fragrant for a week or more. Here's our expert guide to keeping them looking fresh and fabulous as long as possible.
1. Start Fresh: Prep Your Bouquet Right Away
As soon as you unwrap your arrangement:
- Find a clean vase (or use the one we provided). Wash it thoroughly with warm, soapy water and rinse well to remove any bacteria – this is one of the biggest secrets to longer-lasting flowers!
- Remove any leaves or foliage that would sit below the waterline. Submerged leaves decay quickly and encourage bacterial growth.
- If your bouquet came with a packet of flower food (most of ours do!), dissolve it in the water according to the instructions. This mix of sugar (for nourishment), citric acid (to improve water uptake), and a mild antibacterial agent works wonders.
Fill the vase with room-temperature or lukewarm water (most cut flowers prefer this over icy cold) – about halfway up the stems.
2. Give Those Stems a Fresh Cut
Using sharp scissors or a knife (avoid crushing the stems with dull blades!):
- Trim about ½ to 1 inch off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This creates a larger surface area for water absorption and prevents the stem from sitting flat against the vase bottom.
- For roses: A angled cut is especially important to help them drink deeply.
- For tulips: They keep growing in the vase, so you may need to re-trim every couple of days as they stretch.
Do this under water if possible (especially for roses) to prevent air bubbles from blocking uptake.
3. Choose the Perfect Spot
Place your bouquet in a cool location (ideally 65–72°F) with bright, indirect light. Avoid:
- Direct sunlight (it speeds up wilting)
- Heat sources like radiators, appliances, vents, or TVs
- Drafty spots near doors/windows
Fruit bowls nearby (fruits like apples release ethylene gas that accelerates aging)
A bedroom nightstand, kitchen counter (away from the stove), or living room table away from heaters usually works great.
4. Daily Maintenance – The Key to Longevity
- Check water levels every day and top up with fresh water as needed. If the water gets cloudy or starts to smell, change it completely.
- Every 2–3 days: Re-trim the stems (another ½ inch at an angle), refresh the water, and add more flower food if you have extra packets.
- Gently remove any wilted blooms or yellowing leaves promptly – this keeps energy focused on the healthy flowers and prevents bacteria spread.
Quick Flower-Specific Tips
- Roses (our Valentine's bestseller!): They love the flower food and benefit from daily water checks. If heads start to droop, try re-cutting and giving them a fresh vase of warm water.
- Tulips: Keep them cooler than other flowers and trim stems regularly as they continue to grow and may bend toward light.
- Mixed bouquets: Follow the general steps above, and your combination of roses, lilies, carnations, and fillers should thrive together.
With these simple steps, many customers tell us their Valentine's arrangement stays beautiful well into the following week (sometimes longer!). Your flowers are a reminder of love and thoughtfulness – we're honored to have played a part in that moment.
If your bouquet needs a little extra help or you're ready for your next arrangement (spring is just around the corner!), stop by Irvine Village Flowers in-store or visit our website. We love hearing how your flowers are doing – tag us in your photos!
