There’s nothing like opening a fresh bouquet of roses. The color, the scent, the beauty—it's magic. But how do you make that magic last? The good news is that a few simple habits can extend the life of your roses by several days. Whether it’s a romantic roses delivery or a just-because treat for yourself, these tips help you get the most out of every petal.
At Aquarossa Farms, we send our roses direct from the farm for maximum freshness. But what happens once they arrive at your door? Follow these 5 expert-backed tips to keep your bouquet of roses looking gorgeous from day one to day ten—and maybe even longer.
1. Trim the Stems Before Placing Them in Water
As soon as you take your roses out of the beautiful packaging, give the stems a fresh cut. Use clean, sharp scissors or garden shears to trim about an inch off the bottom at a 45-degree angle. This increases the surface area for water absorption and helps prevent air bubbles from blocking hydration.
Pro tip: Always cut your roses before placing them in water. Even if they were pre-trimmed at the farm, the ends dry out slightly during shipping. A fresh cut ensures a strong start and keeps your roses thriving.
2. Wash Your Vase Thoroughly
It might seem obvious, but a clean vase makes a huge difference. Bacteria can build up in dirty containers, shortening the life of your blooms. Before arranging your flower bouquet, scrub your vase with soap and hot water. For extra freshness, rinse with diluted white vinegar to eliminate any lingering bacteria.
Bonus tip: Choose a vase that supports the height and weight of your roses to help them stand tall and proud.
3. Change the Water Every 2–3 Days
Just like us, flowers need fresh water to thrive. Replace the water in your vase every two to three days to prevent bacterial growth. Each time you change the water, give the vase a quick rinse and re-trim the stems by about a half inch.
This simple habit adds days of life to your bouquet with roses and keeps them smelling fresh. Room temperature water is best, and avoid placing the vase in direct sunlight or near heating vents, which can cause the petals to wilt faster.
4. Don’t Skip the Flower Food
That little packet that comes with your bouquet isn’t just a nice touch—it’s a secret weapon. Flower food contains a mix of sugar, acidifier, and antibacterial ingredients that feed your roses and keep the water clean.
Here’s how to use it: dissolve the contents of one packet into clean vase water before placing your roses inside. If your bouquet came with two packets, save the second for your mid-week water change. Your fresh flowers will thank you for the extra boost.
5. Buy Roses That Are Fresh From the Farm
The biggest factor in how long your roses last? How fresh they are when you get them. Supermarket bouquets may have spent days (or even weeks) in transit and storage before you see them. That’s why our farm-to-door approach makes such a difference.
When you order flowers from Aquarossa Farms, you’re getting roses that are handpicked, packed at the source, and shipped within hours. With next day and overnight delivery, you enjoy peak freshness right out of the box—and a much longer vase life overall.
Final Thoughts: A Little Care Goes a Long Way
With just a few small habits, your rose bouquet can last well beyond the average. Trim the stems, clean the vase, swap out the water, use that flower food, and always start with the freshest blooms possible. These tips aren’t complicated, but they make all the difference.
Whether you're gifting or treating yourself, make the most of every bloom with Aquarossa Farms. Our flowers in a box arrive direct from the farm, beautifully packaged and ready to brighten your space.
Shop our collection today and discover how long-lasting beauty begins with care and love.