Flower and Plant Care Encyclopedia
Proper care helps bouquets stay fresh longer and keeps plants looking beautiful for as long as possible. Below you will find the main care recommendations for roses, mixed bouquets, seasonal arrangements, plants, and popular flower varieties.
Contents
General care rules
As soon as you receive the bouquet, prepare a clean vase with cool fresh water. Trim the stems by 1–2 cm, remove any leaves below the waterline, and place the flowers in the vase as quickly as possible. Change the water every 1–2 days and refresh the stem cut each time.
- Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators, air conditioners, and drafts.
- Do not place the bouquet near fruit, as it speeds up flower aging.
- Remove wilted leaves and blooms immediately to keep the water cleaner for longer.
Rose care
Roses prefer clean cool water and regular stem trimming. Before placing them in a vase, trim the stems, remove lower leaves, and keep the bouquet in a cool place. If the outer petals look slightly dry or darkened, they can be gently removed as they are protective guard petals.
- Change the water every 1–2 days.
- Trim the stems each time you change the water.
- If the rose heads begin to droop, recut the stems and place them into fresh cool water.
Spray rose care
Spray roses need the same care as standard roses, but because several blooms grow on one stem, it is especially important to keep the water clean and the branch looking neat. If one small bloom starts to fade, remove it so the arrangement stays fresh longer.
- Use a spacious vase so the stems are not crowded.
- Remove fading buds when needed.
- Keep the bouquet cool and away from heat.
Mixed bouquet care
Mixed bouquets contain different flower types, so they should be checked daily. Remove the outer wrapping after delivery, but the inner tie can remain if it holds the bouquet shape nicely. Place the bouquet in a wide clean vase and make sure all stems have enough water.
- Remove wilted flowers immediately so they do not spoil the water.
- Change the water every 1–2 days.
- Do not place a mixed bouquet in a narrow vase.
Peony care
Peonies love cool conditions and plenty of water. They often arrive semi-closed and continue opening at home. To help peonies last longer, trim the stems, remove the lower leaves, and check the water level in the vase every day.
- Change the water regularly and do not let it become cloudy.
- Keep peonies in a cool place, especially overnight.
- Do not place peonies near radiators or in direct sunlight.
Tulip care
Tulips continue growing after being cut, so they may stretch and bend slightly. This is natural. They do best in cool water and a cool room. The water level should not be too high and it should be refreshed regularly.
- Trim the stems every 1–2 days.
- Check the water level daily.
- Keep tulips away from heat and direct sun.
Dried flower care
Dried flowers do not need water. The main goal is to protect them from moisture, humidity, and direct sunlight. In damp rooms, dried flowers may lose their shape, and in strong sun they can fade and become more fragile.
- Do not place dried flowers in water.
- Keep them away from humid rooms and steam.
- Dust them very gently without pressing on the stems.
Gerbera care
Gerberas like clean water, but they do not do well in a deep vase with a high water level. Their soft stems can deteriorate quickly if overexposed to water, so it is best to use a small amount of water and change it more often than usual.
- Use a low water level.
- Wash the vase often and change the water frequently.
- Keep gerberas in a cool place.
Chrysanthemum care
Chrysanthemums are known as very long-lasting flowers, but they also prefer clean water and a fresh stem cut. Before placing them in a vase, remove the lower leaves and trim the stems slightly. In a cool room, chrysanthemums can remain decorative for a long time.
- Change the water every 2 days.
- Remove dry leaves and faded blooms in time.
- Do not keep the bouquet in heat.
Iris care
Irises are delicate and react quickly to a lack of water, so it is best to place them in a vase immediately after delivery. They open gradually and last longer in a cool place away from direct sun.
- Change the water every 1–2 days.
- Trim the stems each time you change the water.
- Do not leave irises without water even for a short time.
Hydrangea care
Hydrangeas are very sensitive to dehydration and need plenty of water. It is best to use a vase with a good water level and keep topping it up regularly. If a hydrangea begins to wilt, recut the stem and return it to water as soon as possible.
- Check the water level daily.
- Keep hydrangeas cool.
- Do not let the stems dry out.
Carnation care
Carnations are hardy and undemanding flowers that do well with standard care: clean water, a fresh stem cut, and a cool place. They hold their shape well if the water stays clean and the bouquet does not overheat.
- Change the water every 2 days.
- Remove leaves below the waterline.
- Keep the bouquet away from radiators and direct sunlight.
Gypsophila care
Fresh gypsophila needs the same care as most cut flowers: clean water, cool conditions, and a fresh stem cut. If gypsophila is already dried, it no longer needs water and should simply be protected from moisture and breakage.
- For fresh gypsophila, change the water regularly.
- For dried gypsophila, avoid all contact with moisture.
- Keep gypsophila away from direct sunlight.
Conifer greenery care
Conifer greenery in bouquets and seasonal arrangements stays fresh longer in a cool room. If the greenery is in a vase, the stems should have access to water. If it is used in a box, basket, or floral foam arrangement, the base should be moistened regularly.
- Keep the arrangement away from radiators and direct sunlight.
- Do not allow the arrangement base to dry out.
- In a dry room, you may lightly humidify the air around the arrangement.
Flower box care
A flower box should not be taken apart or moved into a vase. These arrangements are usually built on a special floral base that holds moisture. The main task is to add a little water into the arrangement every day and prevent the base from drying out completely.
- Add water in small portions.
- Do not overwater the base.
- Keep the flower box in a cool place.
Plant care
Indoor plants need different care than cut flowers. They require the right light, moderate watering, proper drainage, and a stable temperature. The most common mistake is overwatering, so plants should be watered only after the top layer of soil has dried slightly.
- Do not leave water standing in the saucer for long.
- Choose a place with suitable lighting.
- Watering is usually reduced in winter and checked more often in summer.
Summer flower care
In summer, flowers suffer from heat, dry air, and faster moisture loss. At this time it is especially important to place the bouquet in water quickly, change the water more often, and never leave flowers in the sun, in a car, or on an overheated windowsill.
- Check the water level every day.
- Change the water more often than during cooler seasons.
- Keep the bouquet only in a cool place.
Winter flower care
In winter, flowers are especially vulnerable to frost, radiators, and dry hot air. After bringing the bouquet in from outside, let it adjust to room temperature for a short while before placing it in water. Do not place flowers directly next to a radiator, heater, or cold window glass.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- Keep the bouquet in a cool place, but away from drafts.
- For plants, watering is usually reduced in winter.
Tartu mnt. 24 (Sissepääs Liivalaia poolt) 
