— Care guide
Make them last.
A few small habits and your bouquet stays beautiful for a week or more. Most of this is just changing the water and trimming the stems — the rest is just where to put them.
01
The first 24 hours.
When the bouquet first arrives, do these four things — they make the biggest difference of anything you can do.
- Untie the wrap (optional). Some people like the rustic look of the kraft paper, some don't. Either is fine for the flowers — they're already in water once we hand them off.
- Trim about ½ inch off each stem at an angle. Sharp scissors or a kitchen knife. The angle matters — it gives more surface for the stem to drink.
- Fresh, cool water. Not ice cold, not warm. Tap water is fine in Westchester.
- Add the flower food packet if there's one in the wrap. It's a mix of sugar (food), bleach (kills bacteria), and acidifier — does real work.
02
Every other day.
Five minutes, twice a week. That's it.
- Change the water completely. Cloudy water is bacteria — bacteria clogs the stems.
- Re-trim the stems if the cut ends look dry or brown.
- Remove anything wilted. One sad bloom releases ethylene gas that speeds the rest going. Pluck it.
- Top off the water if it's getting low between full changes.
03
Where to put them.
Flowers are happier in some spots than others. The short version: cool, bright but no direct sun.
Good
- Kitchen counter or dining table (indirect light)
- Entryway console
- Office desk away from windows
- Cool rooms (60–70°F is ideal)
Avoid
- Direct sun on a windowsill — wilts in a day
- On top of the TV, fridge, or radiator (heat kills them)
- Near the fruit bowl — ethylene from ripe fruit speeds wilting
- In a draft from an AC vent or open window
04
How long things last.
Rough guide for the flowers we use most. With good care, you can usually get the upper end of these ranges.
| Roses | 7–10 days |
| Hydrangea | 5–7 days |
| Lilies | 8–14 days (open slowly — buy them closed for max life) |
| Tulips & peonies | 5–7 days |
| Eucalyptus & greens | 10–14 days |
| Carnations | up to 2 weeks (the unsung hero) |
| Stock & alstromeria | 7–10 days |
| Spray roses | 7–10 days |
05
If something's wrong.
Sometimes a stem doesn't make it, or a bloom shows up bruised. We want to know — we'd rather hear about it than not.
Call us at (914) 666-7240 within 24 hours of delivery and we'll make it right.
