Make sure to use a clean vase or container to display your flowers. Washed with warm soap water and rinsed well.

Fill the vase with fresh water (room temperature) until it is two-thirds full. You need enough water to cover all the stems without liquid overflowing once you add the flowers. If you have gerberas, poppies or tulips, only cover a quarter of the stems. 

Add commercial flower food to the water or add a homemade preservation solution to the clean vase.  (See our Ezy homemade flower food recipe below).

Before cutting your flowers, remove your flowers from the wrapping. 

Remove any damaged blooms and trim off leaves or foliage that will sit below the vase water line; this prevents bacterial growth and the water from discoloring. 

Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them into water, so flowers can draw up more water.  

Check flowers daily, remove any wilted flowers, or deadheads, refresh the water, retrim stems and clean the vase every 2-3 days. 

Display your flower away from heat, direct sunlight, windows, and even fruit: Flowers will last longer in a cooler room and if you keep them out of direct sunlight.