You’ve picked up your farm-fresh bouquet (or had one lovingly delivered), bursting with beautiful, seasonal blooms. Now what?

Before you drop it into a vase and call it good, you can do a few simple things to help your flowers last longer and look their best. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to unwrapping and prepping your bouquet like a pro.

1. Find a Clean Vase

Start with a vase that’s been thoroughly cleaned with warm, soapy water or vinegar. Any leftover residue or bacteria from previous arrangements can shorten the life of your fresh flowers. Choose a vase that fits the size of your bouquet—tall enough for support but with enough room to let the flowers breathe.

2. Unwrap with Care

Gently remove any kraft paper, twine, or wrapping. Take a moment to appreciate what’s inside—each stem was handpicked and arranged with care! If a flower food packet is included, set it aside for now.

3. Strip the Stems

Remove any leaves that will fall below the water line once the bouquet is in the vase. Submerged foliage can quickly rot, encouraging bacteria and shortening vase life.

4. Give Every Stem a Fresh Cut

Cut ½ to 1 inch off the bottom of each stem using sharp scissors or garden snips, trimming at a 45-degree angle to help the flowers absorb water more efficiently. If your bouquet is staying tied, you can trim the whole bundle at once—otherwise, go stem by stem if you’re arranging freely. Important note: If your bouquet includes narcissus (like daffodils), avoid giving them a fresh cut after they’ve been arranged. They release a natural sap that can be harmful to other flowers if mixed in the same vase.

5. Fill the Vase with Fresh, Cool Water

Add clean, room-temperature water to the vase, and mix in flower food if you have it. (No packet? A teaspoon of sugar + a drop of white vinegar works in a pinch.) Avoid warm or hot water—most farm-fresh flowers prefer a cooler drink.

6. Place Thoughtfully

Flowers love bright spaces, but not direct sun. Avoid placing your bouquet near heating vents, direct sunlight, or ripening fruit (which gives off ethylene gas that speeds up wilting). A cool room out of the afternoon sun is ideal.

7. Refresh Every Few Days

Change the water every 2–3 days, re-trim the stems, and remove any wilted blooms or foliage. This small bit of maintenance will keep your bouquet looking fresh and vibrant for as long as possible.

Bringing home a bouquet is one of life’s simple pleasures. Taking just a few extra minutes to prep it well helps you enjoy the beauty longer—and gives those blooms the life they deserve.

Have any flower care questions or tricks you swear by? We’d love to hear them—drop us a note or tag us on Instagram with your bouquet in its new home!