Spring flowers face something winter blooms don't deal with as much: warming weather, longer daylight hours, and rooms that can heat up through the afternoon. A few small changes to where and how you keep your flowers can help them last longer this time of year.
Why does placement matter more in spring?
As the weather warms up and the sun sets later, it warms our homes in the afternoon more than it does through winter. Being mindful of where you place flowers inside your home is important. Keep flowers away from direct sunlight, as they'll wilt quickly in the heat.
If heaters are still running on cool spring mornings or nights, make sure flowers are kept away from outlets and other heat sources too. NSW Department of Primary Industries guidance on cut flower care backs this up, keeping flowers cool for as long as possible after they're cut is one of the biggest factors in how long they last.
A few extra habits that help any bouquet last longer
Alongside watching placement, a few habits recommended by Shari at Eden Flower Studio and NSW DPI's postharvest flower care guidance make a real difference to vase life, whatever the season:
Get stems into clean water as soon as possible. The longer a stem sits out of water after cutting, the more it dries out and struggles to take up water again. Get flowers into a vase as soon as you can after bringing them home.
Cut stems underwater when re-trimming. If you're giving stems a fresh cut once they're already home, doing it while the stem tip is submerged in water stops air bubbles being drawn up into the stem, which can otherwise block water uptake.
Strip the lower leaves. Removing any foliage that would sit below the waterline stops it decaying in the water, which speeds up bacterial growth and shortens vase life for the whole bouquet.
Replace the water regularly. Clean water free of bacteria is one of the simplest things you can control at home. Change it every couple of days, and give the vase a rinse while you're at it.
Keep native flowers in mind too. If your bouquet includes Australian natives like kangaroo paw or Christmas bells, a small amount of sugar in the water can genuinely help extend their vase life, a tip that comes straight from NSW DPI's own flower care research.
Keep flowers away from ripening fruit. Ripening fruit releases a gas that speeds up wilting in nearby flowers, so it's worth keeping flowers away from the fruit bowl.
A quick spring care checklist:
Keep flowers out of direct sunlight
Keep flowers away from heaters, outlets and other heat sources
Get stems into clean water as soon as possible after bringing them home
Cut stems underwater when re-trimming
Strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline
Change the water every couple of days
Add a touch of sugar to the water for native stems like kangaroo paw
Keep flowers away from fruit bowls and ripening produce
Where to get fresh spring flowers in Gregory Hills
Good care habits help most when the flowers were fresh to begin with. If you're after a fresh spring bouquet to put these tips into practice on, Eden Flower Studio is based in Gregory Hills and delivers same-day across Camden, Oran Park and Narellan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do spring flowers need extra care with placement?
Warmer afternoons and longer daylight hours mean homes heat up more through the day in spring than in winter, so flowers kept in direct sun or near heat sources will wilt faster.
Why cut stems underwater?
Cutting a stem while it's submerged stops air bubbles being drawn into it, which would otherwise block the stem from taking up water properly.
Does sugar in the water actually help?
For some Australian native flowers like kangaroo paw and Christmas bells, yes, NSW DPI's own postharvest research notes a benefit. It's less consistent for other native varieties, so it's worth treating as a native-specific tip rather than a rule for every bouquet.
Where's the best place to keep flowers at home in spring?
Somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight, away from heaters, outlets or other heat sources.
Where can I get fresh spring flowers near Gregory Hills or Camden?
Eden Flower Studio is based in Gregory Hills and delivers same-day across Camden, Narellan and Oran Park throughout spring.