Flower Care Guide

 by Elisana

Keeping Your Flowers Beautiful for Longer

At Elisana Florist, we believe every bouquet deserves to be enjoyed for as long as possible.

Each arrangement is thoughtfully handcrafted using carefully selected fresh flowers, with every stem prepared and conditioned by our experienced florists.

With just a little love and the right care, you can help your flowers stay fresh, vibrant and beautiful for longer.

1. When Your Flowers Arrive

Your flowers have been carefully prepared before leaving our florist. To help them settle into their new home, we recommend:

  • Unwrap with care: Remove the outer packaging as soon as practical, taking care not to damage delicate petals or stems.

  • Hydrate promptly: Place hand-tied bouquets into fresh water as soon as possible.

  • Choose the perfect spot: Keep your flowers in a cool area, away from direct sunlight, radiators, draughts and ripening fruit.

  • Handle gently: Some flowers are naturally more delicate than others, so avoid unnecessary handling of the petals.

Our tip: The sooner your flowers are placed in fresh water, the better their chances of staying beautiful for longer.

2. Preparing Your Vase

A clean vase and fresh water are essential to keeping your flowers looking their best.

Step 1 — Start with a clean vase

Wash your vase thoroughly with warm, soapy water and rinse well. This helps prevent bacteria from developing and affecting the freshness of your flowers.

Step 2 — Add fresh water

Fill your vase with clean, cool or room-temperature water. 

Step 3 — Trim the stems

Using clean, sharp scissors or floral shears, trim approximately 2–3 cm from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This helps improve water absorption.

Step 4 — Remove excess foliage

Ensure no leaves are submerged below the waterline, as they can encourage bacterial growth.

Step 5 — Arrange and enjoy

Place your flowers into the vase, ensuring all stems have access to water, and display them somewhere cool and away from direct heat.

3. Daily Flower Care

A few simple habits can make a wonderful difference to the life of your bouquet.

  • Refresh the water: Replace the water every 1–2 days and rinse the vase thoroughly.

  • Re-trim the stems: Cut approximately 1 cm from the stems every couple of days to encourage continued hydration.

  • Keep flowers cool: Avoid direct sunlight, heaters, fireplaces and strong draughts.

  • Remove fading blooms: Gently remove any flowers or foliage that begin to deteriorate to help protect the remaining arrangement.

  • Check water levels: Some flowers, particularly roses and hydrangeas, can drink significant amounts of water, so check your vase regularly.

A little extra care goes a long way towards keeping your flowers fresh and beautiful.

4. Caring for Your Luxury Hatbox Arrangement

Our signature hatbox arrangements are designed to make a statement while requiring minimal maintenance.

Unlike traditional bouquets, these arrangements are carefully secured in water-absorbing floral foam to preserve their beautiful shape.

To care for your hatbox:

  • Keep flowers in place: Do not remove the stems from the floral foam, as this may affect the arrangement's structure.

  • Keep the foam hydrated: Carefully add a small amount of fresh, cool water to the floral foam as needed, checking its moisture daily.

  • Avoid overwatering: Pour slowly and carefully to prevent water from overflowing or damaging the decorative box.

  • Keep the arrangement upright: Always place your hatbox on a flat, stable surface.

  • Choose a cool location: Avoid direct sunlight, radiators and other heat sources.

  • Remove fading blooms: Gently remove individual flowers as they naturally reach the end of their lifespan.

Important: Floral foam should remain moist, but never excessively saturated. We recommend placing your hatbox on a protective surface to prevent potential water damage to furniture.

5. How Long Can Flowers Stay Out of Water?

Fresh flowers are happiest when hydrated.

While different varieties tolerate time without water differently, prolonged periods of dehydration can affect their freshness and longevity.

If your bouquet cannot be placed into a vase immediately, keep it somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight, and place it into fresh water as soon as possible.

If your bouquet has been transported without a water source, we recommend re-cutting the stems before placing them into a vase.

Remember: The less time your flowers spend without water, the better.

6. Understanding Your Flowers

Flowers are a beautiful, natural product, and no two stems are exactly alike.

Different varieties have different lifespans, blooming patterns and seasonal characteristics. Some flowers may arrive partially closed and gradually open over the following days, while others may already be in full bloom.

It is completely natural for individual flowers within the same arrangement to develop and mature at different rates.

At Elisana Florist, we take great pride in selecting, preparing and arranging our flowers with care. However, as with all fresh flowers, their longevity will depend on the variety, environment and aftercare provided.

Following our care recommendations will help you enjoy your arrangement at its very best.

7. Need a Little Help?

Your experience with Elisana Florist matters to us, from the moment your flowers are ordered to the moment they are enjoyed.

If you have any questions about caring for your arrangement, or concerns regarding your order, our friendly team will be happy to assist.

Please contact us as soon as possible with your order details and photographs where relevant, so we can provide the most appropriate assistance.

Elisana Florist

Luxury Flowers, Thoughtfully Created.