Flower Care Guide
How to keep your flowers fresh and beautiful for longer — written for Malaysia's heat and humidity. All our flowers are pre-conditioned by our florists before delivery, so you start with the best possible blooms.
1. First 10 minutes: when your flowers arrive
- Unwrap the bouquet — remove all packaging and ribbons.
- Fill a clean vase with lukewarm water, and stir in the flower food sachet if included.
- Strip any leaves below the waterline — submerged leaves breed bacteria, the number one cause of early wilting.
- Cut 2–3cm off each stem at a 45° angle with clean, sharp scissors, then place straight into the vase.
- Display somewhere cool and bright, away from direct sunlight — and away from fruit bowls (ripening fruit releases ethylene gas that ages flowers faster).
2. Daily care — the 2-minute routine
- Top up with fresh water daily — flowers drink more in Malaysia's heat than you expect.
- Every 2–3 days: replace all the water and re-cut stems 1–2cm.
- Remove faded blooms immediately — one wilting flower speeds up the rest.
3. How long should my flowers last?
| Flower | Typical vase life in Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Chrysanthemums | 10–14 days |
| Eustomas | 7–10 days |
| Lilies | 7–10 days (buds keep opening over the week) |
| Roses | 5–7 days |
| Gerberas & daisies | 5–7 days |
| Sunflowers | 5–7 days |
| Hydrangeas | 3–5 days (very thirsty — check water twice daily) |
| Preserved flowers | 1–3 years with proper care |
These counts start from the day you receive them — every arrangement leaves our studio pre-conditioned and fully hydrated.
4. Flower care in Malaysia's climate
- Air-conditioned rooms help — flowers last noticeably longer at 18–24°C. Just keep them out of the direct cold draft of the aircon vent.
- No aircon? Keep flowers in the coolest, shadiest part of the house, away from west-facing windows. Expect vase life 1–2 days shorter in ambient heat.
- Humidity is a double edge — it's gentle on petals but breeds bacteria in the vase. Change water more often than overseas care guides suggest.
- Never leave flowers in a parked car — even 15 minutes of Malaysian midday heat can wilt a bouquet beyond recovery.
5. Care by arrangement type
Wrapped bouquets
The wrapping is a temporary survival setup for transit, not a permanent water source — the water-soaked cotton at the stems holds only a limited supply, and the lack of airflow inside the wrap lets bacteria build up around the stems. Left in the wrapping, cut flowers generally last 2–4 days; transferred to a vase following the first-10-minutes steps above, they last their full vase life.
Baskets, bloom boxes & planters
Don't unwrap — add water to the floral-foam liner daily. The foam should feel damp, never flooded.
Condolence stands
Designed to stay fresh through the wake and service with no care needed.
Preserved flowers
Never water them — they are preserved, not living. Keep away from direct sun and humid spots, and dust gently with a tissue or a cool hairdryer. Don't press or bend the delicate petals.
Phalaenopsis orchids
A bright spot without direct sun; water every 7–10 days when the media dries. See our full Orchid Care Guide →
Potted plants
Keep roots consistently moist (not wet), give indirect light, and avoid hot or cold spots. In air-conditioned rooms, treat them to a light daily misting.
6. Frequently asked questions
How long can flowers stay in the wrapping?
2–4 days at most — the wrapping is a transit setup, not a water source. The cotton at the stems holds limited water and the lack of airflow builds up bacteria. Transfer to a vase as soon as you can for full vase life.
Why did my flowers wilt within 1–2 days?
Usually one of three causes: leaves left below the waterline, no fresh stem cut, or heat and direct sun. Re-cut the stems, replace the water, and move them somewhere cooler — mildly wilted roses often revive overnight.
Should I use the flower food sachet?
Yes — it feeds the flowers and slows bacteria. You can add a sachet to your order for RM3 at the cart. If you don't have one, fresh water changes every two days matter even more.
Do flowers last longer in an air-conditioned room?
Yes, noticeably — just keep them away from the direct cold draft of the vent.
How do I keep a bouquet fresh before giving it later today?
Keep it wrapped in the coolest room available and mist it lightly. Never leave it in the car.
The outer petals of my roses look imperfect — are they wilting?
No — those are guard petals (保护瓣), the rose's natural outer petals that protect the bloom during transit. We deliberately don't over-pluck them, as they keep the inner petals fresh and undamaged. If you prefer a cleaner look, gently peel off the outer 1–2 petals at home.
Why do my rose petals have dark or black marks?
Roses are naturally delicate — any knock or bump (碰撞) bruises the petals, which then darken to black marks, much like fruit bruises. This is physical damage, not disease or age. Handle roses by the stem, avoid pressing the blooms, and keep them where they won't be brushed against.
My lilies have closed buds — is something wrong?
No — that's ideal. The buds open over the coming days, extending your display time.
Do preserved flowers need water?
Never. They're preserved, not living — water damages them.
Every arrangement leaves our studio pre-conditioned and hydrated.
Questions about your specific flowers? Send us a photo — we'll help.