Houston's climate is brutal on cut flowers. High temperatures, intense humidity, and the heat radiating off concrete can wilt a beautiful bouquet in hours if you're not careful. These tips will keep your arrangements looking their best for as long as possible.
The number one killer of cut flowers is air. When stems are cut, air bubbles enter the vascular system and block water uptake. Get your flowers into a clean vase with fresh water within an hour of receiving them — and re-cut the stems at a 45-degree angle under running water right before you put them in. That diagonal cut maximizes the surface area for water absorption. Use a sharp knife, not scissors, which can crush the stem cells.
Cut flowers prefer temperatures between 65–72°F. In Houston summers, that means never leaving flowers in a hot car, keeping them away from direct sunlight and AC vents (both extremes are bad), and not placing them near appliances that generate heat. If you're transporting flowers in Houston summer heat, bring a cooler with ice packs — 20 minutes in a 100°F car will dramatically shorten their life.
Bacteria in stagnant water are what causes the sliminess on stems and the foul smell — and once bacteria multiply, they clog the stem and the flower can't drink. Change the water every two days, re-cut the stems each time, and rinse the vase with a diluted bleach solution weekly to kill bacteria. The flower food packets we include with every Lola in Bloom order contain both a biocide (to kill bacteria) and sugar (to feed the flower) — use the whole packet in the right volume of water.
Ethylene gas from ripening fruit causes flowers to age faster. Keep your arrangement away from the fruit bowl. Direct sunlight through a window heats up the water and encourages bacterial growth. Ceiling fans pointed directly at an arrangement cause faster dehydration through the petals. And tap water with high chlorine content (Houston's municipal water is chlorinated) — let it sit 30 minutes before adding flowers, or use filtered water.
Roses: re-cut stems diagonally and remove leaves below the waterline. Lilies: remove the orange pollen-covered stamens before they open — they stain everything and shorten the bloom. Tropical flowers (birds of paradise, anthuriums) love Houston's humidity and actually last longer here than in dry climates. Hydrangeas: submerge the entire flower head briefly in cool water if they wilt — they absorb water through their petals as well as stems.
Lola in Bloom delivers fresh-cut, properly hydrated arrangements throughout Houston with same-day service. Call (281) 905-2414 to order.
Lola in Bloom — serving Houston, TX and surrounding areas.
Call (281) 905-2414With proper care, most cut flower arrangements last 5–10 days in Houston. Tropical flowers like anthuriums can last 2–3 weeks. Roses and lilies typically peak at 5–7 days. Hot cars, direct sun, and stagnant water are the fastest ways to shorten flower life in Houston's climate.
You can refrigerate flowers overnight to extend their life, but avoid putting them near fruit (ethylene gas accelerates aging) and make sure the fridge is above 34°F. Most flowers prefer 45–50°F, which is colder than typical room temperature but warmer than a standard refrigerator's coldest setting.
Yes — every Lola in Bloom arrangement includes flower food packets with care instructions. The packets contain a biocide to inhibit bacteria and a carbohydrate source to feed the flowers. Use the full packet per the instructions for maximum vase life.