If someone was nice enough to send you a flower delivery, you undoubtedly want to get the most life out of them as you can. Freshly cut, professionally-arranged flowers are a special treat, whether they were for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion or simply because someone was thinking of you. No bouquet can last forever, but following these easy tips will help them last days (maybe even a week) longer than they might otherwise.

General tips

Here’s how to get the most out of your next flower delivery:

• Avoid heat, drafts, sunlight and fruit: Where you put your flowers matters. Heat, drafts and sunlight can cause your flowers to dehydrate too quickly, so you won’t get to enjoy them for as long as you would otherwise. Don’t place them near fruit, either—fruit releases tiny amounts of gas that will cause your arrangement to wilt. It’s always best to keep your flowers in a cool area free from moving air—that’s why professional florists sometimes place cut flowers in special refrigerators.
• Watch the water: It sounds obvious, but sometimes people forget to keep the water at an appropriate level. Watch your arrangement’s water level carefully. If there are leaves below the water line, strip them off. Change the water (and flower food) when it starts to get cloudy.
• Trim the stems: Professional bouquets are pre-trimmed, but if you’re caring for farmers market or grocery store bouquets, don’t forget to trim the stems. When a flower stem is cut, it begins to develop a callus, unless it’s placed in water right away. The callus makes it more difficult for the stems to draw water, so they should be trimmed off.

Try these tricks

When it comes to plant food, there are a few tricks people swear by. Your florist may have included specially formulated flower food with your bouquet—if so, follow the directions on the packet. If there’s no flower food included, try these tips:

• Apple cider vinegar: Mix two tablespoons apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons sugar into your vase water, then change the water and solution every few days to keep your flowers fresh.
• Vodka: Even plants love happy hour. If you have vodka at home, add a few drops plus a teaspoon of sugar to the water. Change the water every other day and continue adding this mixture. The vodka kills any bacteria in the water that could make your arrangement wilt faster.
• Soda: Clear soda, like 7 Up or Sprite, can help your flowers flourish. Add a quarter cup to the water—the sugar content provides extra food for your bouquet. Be sure to change the water and soda every few days or as needed.
• Aspirin: Crush an aspirin tablet and add it to the vase water (again, changing it every few days) to help your arrangement thrive.

When you need the perfect flower delivery arrangement for any occasion, It’s Just For You is here to help. Call us to create a custom bouquet or choose one of our customer favorites.