Cut roses can last between 7 and 14 days with proper care. The difference between a rose that lasts 3 days and one that lasts 12 almost always comes down to the first 30 minutes after receiving them.
The first thing to do when your flowers arrive
As soon as they arrive, cut 2–3 centimetres off the stem at a diagonal angle. Do this under water or immediately before placing them in the vase. The diagonal cut increases the absorption surface.
Don't use paper scissors or a blunt knife — they crush the stem and block hydration.
Water matters more than you think
Use room-temperature water, not cold. Change the water every two days. Add the flower food sachet that came with the arrangement — it contains nutrients, bactericides, and pH regulators.
DIY flower food if you don't have a sachet:
- 1 litre of water
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (food)
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar (bactericide)
- 1 crushed aspirin (acidifies the water)
Where to place the vase
- Away from fruit (the ethylene they emit accelerates wilting)
- Out of direct sunlight
- Away from air currents or fans
- Not in the fridge unless it's ethylene-free
How often to trim the stem
Every time you change the water, trim another centimetre off the stem. This keeps the absorption channel clear.
With these basic steps, your Florece roses can easily last 10 days or more.