Congratulations! You’ve received a beautiful flower box or basket — fresh, fragrant, and full of life.
Flowers have a way of turning ordinary days into something special. They don’t last forever, and that’s part of their charm — a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the present moment.
But while their beauty is temporary, a little care can help them stay fresh and lovely for a bit longer.
Here’s how to take care of your arrangement so it looks beautiful for as many days as possible:
1. Keep them away from sunlight, heat, and air flow
Find a cool, calm place for your flowers. Avoid spots near windows, heaters, air conditioners, or fans — anything that blows air or gives off heat can make your blooms dry out quickly.
In warm temperatures, flowers will wilt faster.
2. Don’t keep them next to fruits
Fruits release natural gases that make flowers age more quickly. Keep your arrangement a few feet away from fruit bowls or strong drafts to help your blooms last longer.
3. Add a bit of water every day
Most flower boxes and baskets are made with floral foam — that green sponge inside — which keeps the stems hydrated.
Gently pour a few tablespoons of room-temperature water into the center of the arrangement each day. Try not to pour directly onto the flowers, as this can cause certain blooms to rot.
The foam should stay damp, not soaked.
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Small arrangements: 1–2 tablespoons
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Medium arrangements: 2–3 tablespoons
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Large arrangements: 4–5 tablespoons
To check whether your flowers need more water, gently touch the sponge with your finger. If it feels dry, add a bit more water.
Some flowers — like hydrangeas, tulips, roses, and calla lilies — drink more water than others. If your flowers start to look soft or droopy, the foam may have dried out. Add a small amount of water to bring them back to life.
4. Don’t remove flowers that are still alive
Each stem is placed carefully into the floral foam for support and hydration. Removing flowers too early can damage the design and shorten the lifespan of the remaining blooms.
5. Remove flowers that are dying
If your arrangement includes different types of flowers, they will naturally last for different lengths of time — even blooms of the same kind can vary.
Remember, flowers are living things, and it’s impossible to predict exactly how long each one will stay fresh.
When you notice a flower starting to fade or die, gently remove it from the arrangement. Dying flowers release natural gases that can cause nearby blooms to wilt faster.
6. Be gentle
Always lift your arrangement from the bottom of the box or basket. It helps protect the base and keeps the structure stable.
7. Keep them indoors
Flower boxes and baskets are best enjoyed indoors. Outdoor heat, humidity, or wind can make them wilt much faster — especially in warm climates like Florida.
8. Enjoy them while they last
With proper care, fresh flowers usually last 3–5 days, depending on the type of blooms and the temperature in your home. Some varieties, like chrysanthemums or alstroemerias, can last longer, while more delicate flowers, such as tulips, may only last 1–2 days.
Flowers don’t last forever — and that’s exactly what makes them so special.
Take a moment each day to notice them, enjoy their scent, and let them remind you to appreciate the beauty that’s here right now.