How To Make Your Floral Centerpieces Last Longer

BloomNationFlorists|May 10, 2015 9:30 am EST

Whether you receive flowers from a special person or buy a bouquet to be the focal point of your table, you can extend the life and beauty of your blooms for days longer with a few simple tips!

Step One: Hopefully, the sender of your flowers purchased them from a professional florist. This is a very important step, because expert florists have the freshest flowers possible. Their blooms receive the finest care from a knowledgeable professional. Flowers are placed in coolers, where they stay fresh until they are arranged by the designer and delivered to the customer.

Step Two: As soon as you receive the flowers, add water to their container. This is an important step, because if the water level drops below the base of the stems, they'll begin to seal up, making it difficult for them to absorb water. You can recut the flowers to ensure that they are drawing as much water as possible.

Step Three: I recommend cutting the stems every three days to reopen the stems for maximum hydration. I also suggest that you rinse out the vase and add fresh water. Bacteria in the water are what kill the flowers — plus, dirty water doesn't look good in a clear glass vase.

These simple steps can add days to your arrangement, extending the beauty in your home or anywhere else.

By Joanne LaVassar, florist on BloomNation and Owner of LaVassar Florists in Seattle, Washington

LaVassar Florists in Seattle, Washington, established in 1968 by Joyce LaVassar, is a family-owned and -operated local business that is now in its fourth generation. Judy, Joanne, Janice, and Jay, Joyce's children, have taken over the business since Joyce's passing in 2010. LaVassar Florists is a multiple-time award-winning florist for their designs in the Northwest Flower and Garden show, winner of Best Booth Design at the Seattle Wedding Show, and was nominated as Best Florist by King 5. LaVassar Florists specializes in wedding floral design, funeral flowers, memorial flowers, and everyday bouquets with no minimum order amounts.