How to care for cut roses and extend their life?

Drooping rose heads are something no one wants to see. To prevent premature wilting, it’s worth following a few simple rules, gladly shared by our experienced florists. Roses are among the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers, sold in millions each year. Share these tips with anyone who would like to know how to extend the life of their cut roses at home.

Cut roses care

When you bring home a fresh bouquet, gently remove the paper or packaging. Leave the flowers to rest for about 5 minutes so they can adjust to room temperature. In the meantime:

• Select a vase of the right size and make sure it’s completely clean. Placing roses in a dirty vase is one of the main reasons their lifespan is shortened. Wash the vase thoroughly with hot water and soap before use to remove bacteria and impurities that could harm the flowers.

• Fill the vase with room-temperature tap water and add flower food. This is an essential step, as the small sachet of nutrients helps roses absorb water more efficiently and keeps them looking fresh longer. Flower food also ensures the water stays clear and free from bacteria.

Trimming roses – how and when?

• Remove any leaves that would otherwise end up below the waterline. This prevents cloudy water filled with decaying leaves. Also, check the outer petals of the blooms and remove any damaged or wilted ones. Dirty water clogs the stems and blocks nutrients from reaching the flowers.

• Trim stems by at least 2 cm using a clean, sharp knife or pruners — never regular scissors, which crush fibers and reduce water intake. Always cut at a 45° angle to create a larger surface area for water absorption. Immediately place the stems back into the vase to avoid “bent neck,” caused by air bubbles entering the stems.

• After a few days, take the bouquet out and re-trim the stems. A fresh 1 cm cut will prevent bacterial buildup and ensure continued water flow.

• Keep an eye on your bouquet and remove any wilted petals or leaves right away. This slows down bacterial spread and helps the rest of the flowers stay fresh.

Changing the water – how often?

• Check the water daily and top it up if necessary. If you’ve added the right amount of flower food, topping up is enough. However, if the water turns cloudy, replace it completely. Clean the vase thoroughly, trim the stems, and refill it with fresh water and new flower food.

Where to place roses in a vase?

• Keep cut roses in a cool room — they thrive in lower temperatures.

• Avoid direct sunlight, draughts, and place them away from ripening fruit, which releases ethylene gas that speeds up wilting.

Extending the life of cut roses in a vase isn’t difficult — it simply requires proper care and regular attention. By keeping the vase clean, trimming stems at an angle, refreshing the water, adding flower food, and placing the bouquet in a cool spot, you can enjoy the beauty of your roses for many more days.