Flower care

Make them last in Lagos heat

Five habits that keep a bouquet fresh for a week or more, plus tips for each kind of stem we sell.

The five habits

The first ten minutes matter most

01
Unwrap and trim
Take off the paper, then cut 2 cm from each stem at a slant with a sharp knife.
02
Clean vase, cool water
Wash the vase well and fill with cool water and the flower food sachet.
03
Strip low leaves
No leaves below the water line. They rot quickly in the heat.
04
Find a calm spot
Away from direct sun, the air conditioner blast and generator fumes. Fruit bowls shorten vase life too.
05
Refresh every two days
Change the water and trim again. In the dry harmattan months, top up daily.

By kind

Vase life and tips by flower
Flower	Vase life	Tip
Roses	6 to 9 days	If a head droops, recut the stem under water and rest it in deep water for an hour.
Lilies	8 to 12 days	Pull off the orange pollen as buds open, it stains fabric and walls.
Chrysanthemums	10 to 14 days	The toughest in the heat. Strip leaves well, they cloud the water.
Sunflowers	6 to 10 days	Heavy heads drink a lot, so top up every day.
Anthurium	14 to 20 days	Mist the leaves now and then. Keep out of cold air conditioning.
Orchids in pots	Weeks to months	Water once a week with a cup, never leave the roots sitting in water.

Troubleshooting

The water turned cloudy on day two.

Leaves below the water line or a dirty vase. Wash the vase, strip the leaves, recut and use fresh water.

My roses bent at the neck.

Air got into the stem. Recut 3 cm under running water and stand them in deep water for an hour.

The lilies are not opening.

They need warmth and time. Keep them in a bright spot out of direct sun, most open within three days.

Something arrived damaged.

Send us a photo on WhatsApp the same day. We replace damaged stems free.

Plants that last

Potted orchids and peace lilies last for months with very little care, and suit offices with air conditioning. Ask us to add one to any order.