Expert Flower Care Guide

At The Floral Box, we pride ourselves on supplying the freshest, highest-quality stems available in Darlington. With nearly 40 years of floristry experience, we have learned a thing or two about how to keep flowers looking beautiful for longer.

Whether you are the lucky recipient or you are storing a gift for a surprise reveal, following this expert advice will ensure your blooms stay perfect.

Buying for a Surprise? Crucial Storage Advice

If you are planning to hide the flowers overnight (or longer) before gifting them, where you store them is just as important as how you treat them. Flowers are living things and are extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

The "No-Go" Zones:

  • Do NOT leave flowers in a car: Even in winter, a car acts like a greenhouse during the day and a freezer at night. This shock will kill the flowers.
  • Avoid Conservatories and Porches: These areas fluctuate wildly in temperature. They can be baking hot at noon and freezing at 3am. This causes condensation and rapid wilting.
  • Avoid Garages and Caravans: Damp, cold, and draughty environments can cause botrytis (mould) or frost damage on delicate petals.

The Best Place: Keep the flowers in a cool, consistent room inside the main house (like a utility room or spare bedroom) away from radiators. Consistency is key!

Caring for a Hand-Tied Bouquet (Aqua Pack)

Most of our bouquets are delivered in a "bubble" of water (an aqua pack) to keep them hydrated during delivery. While this keeps them fresh initially, they will need your attention to last.

  • Keep it upright: Do not tilt the bouquet while it is in the water bubble to avoid leakage.
  • After 48 hours: We recommend cutting the water bubble open over a sink and removing the packaging (though you can keep the decorative paper if you wish).
  • Trim the stems: Using sharp scissors or a knife, trim approx. 2cm off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for water absorption.
  • Fresh water is key: Place the flowers in a clean vase with fresh, lukewarm water and the flower food provided. Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent bacteria buildup.

Caring for Arrangements (Floral Foam)

If your flowers arrived in a hat box, basket, or pot, they are likely arranged in floral foam. This acts as a reservoir for the stems.

  • Check daily: The foam should always feel damp to the touch.
  • Top it up: Carefully pour a small amount of water into the centre of the arrangement daily (over a sink or draining board is safest) to ensure the foam remains hydrated.
  • Keep it cool: These arrangements last longest in a cool spot, away from direct heat sources like radiators or fires.

General "Golden Rules" for All Flowers

Regardless of the arrangement style, these professional tips will help extend the life of your blooms:

  1. Location, Location, Location: Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators, and draughts. A cool room is a flower's best friend.
  2. Beware of Fruit: Never place your flowers near a fruit bowl. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which tells flowers to mature and die faster.
  3. Lily Care: If your bouquet contains lilies, we recommend carefully removing the pollen stamens as they open. This prevents staining on the petals (and your furniture!) and helps the flower last longer.