At Ginger Lily Florists, we put enormous care into sourcing and crafting every bouquet we deliver across Brighton and Hove — so we want your flowers to last as long as possible once they reach you. Follow our simple flower care guide below and you'll get the very best from your blooms.

Trim the Stems as Soon as Your Flowers Arrive

The most important thing you can do when your flowers arrive is to trim the stems. Using a sharp pair of scissors or a knife, cut about 2–3cm off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Cutting at an angle increases the surface area of the stem, allowing the flower to absorb water more effectively. Do this even if your flowers have just been delivered — it makes a significant difference to how long they last.

If possible, trim the stems under running water or while holding them in water. This prevents air bubbles from entering the stem, which can block water uptake.

Use a Clean Vase with Fresh Water

Always use a thoroughly clean vase — bacteria in a dirty vase will shorten the life of your flowers considerably. Fill the vase with fresh, cool water and add the flower food sachet that comes with your Ginger Lily bouquet. Flower food contains a mix of nutrients, sugar, and a mild antibacterial agent that keeps the water cleaner for longer and helps your flowers open beautifully.

If you don't have flower food, a small pinch of sugar and a drop of bleach in the water works as a good substitute.

Remove Any Leaves Below the Waterline

Before placing your flowers in the vase, remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Leaves submerged in water will rot quickly, promoting bacterial growth that will drastically shorten the life of your flowers. Keep the stems clean below the water level and leave only the blooms and foliage above.

Find the Right Location

Where you place your flowers makes a big difference. Fresh flowers last longest when kept in a cool spot away from direct sunlight, radiators, and draughts. Avoid placing them near fruit — ripening fruit releases ethylene gas which causes flowers to age faster. A cool room or hallway is often ideal.

Direct sunlight may look beautiful but it will cause your flowers to wilt and fade much more quickly. A bright spot out of direct sun is the sweet spot.

Change the Water Every Two Days

Fresh water is key to keeping your flowers healthy. Change the water every one to two days, giving the vase a quick rinse each time to remove any bacterial build-up. Each time you change the water, give the stems another small trim — just a centimetre or so — to keep the water uptake channels open and clear.

Specific Care Tips by Flower Type

Different flowers have slightly different needs. Here are some tips for the blooms we most commonly use in our Brighton bouquets:

Roses — Roses love cool water and cool temperatures. Remove any guard petals (the outer petals that may look slightly damaged) to help the bloom open fully. Keep away from fruit and heat sources.

Lilies — Lilies will continue to open after delivery. Remove the pollen-bearing stamens as soon as each flower opens to prevent pollen staining your clothes or furniture. Lily pollen can stain, so handle with care. Keep away from cats — lilies are toxic to them.

Tulips — Tulips continue to grow after cutting and will naturally lean towards the light. Rotate the vase periodically for an even display. They prefer cool water — change it frequently. A small copper coin in the vase is an old florist's trick to keep tulips upright.

Gerberas — Gerberas are thirsty flowers but their stems can rot easily. Keep only a small amount of water in the vase — just enough to cover the base of the stems — and change it frequently.

Freesias — Freesias are wonderfully fragrant and relatively long-lasting. Keep them cool and out of direct sunlight. As lower blooms fade, remove them to encourage the upper buds to open.

Hydrangeas — Hydrangeas are thirsty and can wilt quickly. If they begin to droop, submerge the entire flower head in cool water for 20–30 minutes to rehydrate them. They respond remarkably well to this treatment.

Reviving Wilting Flowers

If your flowers start to wilt before their time, don't give up on them. Re-trim the stems with a fresh diagonal cut, place them in a clean vase with fresh cool water, and move them to a cooler location. For particularly droopy stems, wrap the entire bunch loosely in newspaper and stand it in deep cool water for a few hours — this often brings them back beautifully.

How Long Will My Flowers Last?

With good care, most fresh cut flowers from Ginger Lily Florists will last between 7 and 14 days. Some varieties — such as chrysanthemums, alstroemeria, and carnations — can last even longer with proper care. Lilies and roses typically last 7 to 10 days. Tulips and gerberas around 5 to 7 days.

Because we receive fresh flower deliveries daily to our Brighton shop, our bouquets always start in peak condition — giving you the best possible chance of a long-lasting display.

Order Fresh Flowers in Brighton

We hope this guide helps you get the very best from your Ginger Lily flowers. If you have any questions about caring for a specific flower or arrangement, please don't hesitate to call us on 01273 504904 — our team is always happy to help.

Ready to order? Shop our full range of fresh flowers online at gingerlilyflorists.co.uk, or visit us at 93 Preston Drove, Brighton, BN1 6LD. Same day flower delivery available across Brighton, Hove and the surrounding areas when you order before 12pm Monday to Friday (11am Saturday).