Flower Care Guide

Flower Care Guide

Keep your flowers fresh for longer

Every arrangement leaves our Decatur shop fresh and hand-designed. A few minutes of care at home helps your flowers last a week or more. Here's how to look after each type of gift we deliver.

Find your flowers
White roses, hydrangea and stock in a glass vase

The basics

Six rules for any fresh flowers

Follow these and most cut flowers will last 7 to 10 days.

  1. Top up the water dailyFlowers drink fast, especially the first two days. Never let the water level drop below the stems.
  2. Change the water every 2 daysRinse the vase, refill with cool, clean water and add flower food if you have it.
  3. Trim the stemsEvery 2 to 3 days, cut about 1 inch off each stem at an angle with clean, sharp scissors.
  4. Remove leaves below the waterLeaves sitting in water rot and grow bacteria, which shortens the life of your flowers.
  5. Keep them coolAway from direct sun, heaters, vents and appliances. A cool room helps flowers last longest.
  6. Keep away from fruitRipening fruit releases a gas that makes flowers age faster. Don't display them next to a fruit bowl.

Care by type

How to care for your arrangement

Choose the type of flowers you received.

Sunflower and rose arrangement in a glass vase

Vase arrangements

Mixed flowers designed in a vase and ready to display.

  • Check the water level as soon as they arrive and top it up.
  • Every 2 days, lift the arrangement out together, rinse the vase and refill with fresh water.
  • Pull out any flowers that fade first. The rest will last longer without them.
  • Sunflowers and hydrangeas are very thirsty, so check the water every day.
Tip: If a hydrangea wilts, recut the stem and soak the whole bloom in cool water for 30 minutes. It usually perks right back up.
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100 long-stem red rose bouquet

Roses & long-stem rose bouquets

Our 50 and 100 rose bouquets arrive wrapped and in a vase.

  • Keep the bouquet in its vase and add water right away. Check it twice a day for the first two days.
  • Remove the outer guard petals if they look bruised. They protect the bloom during delivery.
  • Recut stems every 2 to 3 days and change the water.
  • Keep the roses cool and out of direct sun to slow how fast they open.
Drooping head? Recut the stem under water and lay the whole rose in a sink of cool water for an hour. Most roses recover.
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Pink tulips and roses in a glass vase

Lilies, tulips & seasonal flowers

A few favorites need a little extra attention.

  • Lilies: as each bloom opens, gently pull off the orange pollen tips with a tissue. Pollen stains clothes and tablecloths.
  • Tulips: they keep growing and bend toward light. Use cool water and turn the vase every day to keep them upright.
  • Sunflowers: heavy drinkers. Top up the water daily.
Pet safety: lilies are toxic to cats, including the pollen and vase water. Keep lily arrangements out of reach of cats.
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White orchid plant

Orchid plants

With the right care, an orchid can bloom for weeks and rebloom every year.

  • Bright, indirect light, such as near an east-facing window. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.
  • Water about once a week, when the potting mix feels dry. Let excess water drain away. Orchid roots should never sit in water.
  • Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
  • When the last flower drops, trim the spike above a node and keep caring for the plant. It can bloom again.
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Dish garden of green plants in a basket

Peace lilies, dish gardens & green plants

Plants are a gift that lasts for months or years.

  • Peace lilies: water when the top inch of soil is dry. The leaves droop when it's thirsty and perk up within hours of watering.
  • Dish gardens: the containers have no drainage, so water lightly, only when the soil feels dry. Overwatering is the most common problem.
  • Medium to bright indirect light. Keep plants out of direct sun.
  • Wipe dust off the leaves now and then to keep them healthy.
Pet safety: peace lilies can irritate pets if chewed. Keep them out of reach of cats and dogs.
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Sympathy standing spray

Sympathy & funeral pieces

Standing sprays, wreaths and casket sprays are designed in wet floral foam.

  • Pour a little water into the foam every day so it stays soaked.
  • Keep the piece in a cool spot, away from sun and heat.
  • After a service, many families take the flowers home. Cut stems from the foam, trim them and place them in a vase of fresh water.
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Questions

Flower care FAQ

How long will my flowers last?

Most fresh arrangements last 7 to 10 days with daily care. Roses, lilies and orchids often last longer. Plants can last for years.

Some buds haven't opened. Is that normal?

Yes. We include flowers at different stages so your arrangement keeps opening and looks fresh for longer. Lilies and roses usually open over 2 to 4 days.

The water turned cloudy. What should I do?

Cloudy water means bacteria. Rinse the vase, trim the stems, remove any leaves below the water line and refill with fresh water.

Can I use sugar, aspirin or bleach instead of flower food?

Clean water changed every 2 days works better than home remedies. If you have the flower food packet that came with your flowers, use it.

Something isn't right with my order. Who do I contact?

We want you to love your flowers. Contact us and we'll make it right.

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Hand-designed in Decatur and delivered same day across Metro Atlanta. Order by 1 PM.

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