There’s nothing better than filling your home with a gorgeous bunch of fresh cut flowers, so naturally, you'd like to extend that joy as long as possible! Once your floral arrangement is delivered to your door, there are a few key steps you can take to keep your stems blooming for longer.

Here are our expert flower care tips to help preserve their beauty:

Give the stems a snip

Give your fresh bouquet a little trim, cutting at least one inch off the stems at a 45-degree angle to provide a broader surface area so they can soak up as much water as possible. Do this every time you change out the water to expose fresh tissue and ensure proper hydration. It's also a good idea to remove any leaves below the waterline. Not only will it make your bouquet look better, but it also prevents bacterial growth.

Ensure you have a clean vase

Pick a vase that gives your flowers enough room to breathe. The general rule of thumb for most arrangements is that the stems' length should be no more than 1 ½ to 2 times the height of your vase. It's crucial to ensure the vase has been thoroughly cleaned and dried because bacteria build-up is the natural enemy of a long-lasting centrepiece.

Keep the water fresh

Fill the vase with tepid water to avoid air bubbles in the stems (however, some flowers like lilies and tulips prefer cold water, so ask your florist if you're unsure). Flowers are thirsty little things, so keep checking every two to three days to ensure they don't dry out and wilt. It's also crucial to change out the water every time and remove any drooping flowers or foliage to avoid any pesky bacteria growth.

Orchid tip: Water your orchid with one ice cube a week. The ice cube takes time to melt and will give your orchid a slow drip of hydration.

Avoid direct sunlight and heat

Flowers are different from plants in that they prefer to stay out of the sunlight. Instead, keep your cut flowers in a cool dark spot and away from any heating vents or drafty windows, which will cause them to dehydrate and wilt quickly. It's also wise to keep them away from your bowl of fresh fruit because they release ethylene gas and will shorten the life of your beautiful arrangement.

Dry them out

Dried flowers are a wonderful way to make your blooms last, well, forever! You'll get the best results using Australian native flowers like banksia, paper daisies and silver dollar eucalyptus. They dry almost identical to how they look fresh, but with with that beautiful muted, vintage look. King protea is another stem that dries a beautiful blush shade. To dry, group them into bunches and simply hang them upside down in a cool, dry space in your home with good air circulation.

Using these flower care tips will allow you to enjoy the beauty of your blooms to their max!