How To Take Care of DIY Wedding Flowers

When you pick up your DIY flowers from The Flower Patch, they’ll be ready for you in a clean bucket with fresh water. Follow these care tips to keep them in prime condition until your event.

Cleanliness

Bacteria is the number one enemy of cut flowers. As it builds up, it clogs the base of the stems and prevents water from traveling up the stem. Without steady hydration, flowers wilt and fade prematurely.

To keep bacteria at bay:

• Replace the water in your buckets or vases daily with fresh, clean water.

• Before arranging, make sure every vase is clean and free of dirt or residue, then fill with fresh water.

• Use clean, sharp snips or scissors to trim stems. (Dull tools crush stems and make water uptake harder.)

• Keep all debris out of the water. Remove any leaves below the waterline and skim out floating petals or foliage to prevent bacterial growth.

Storage Location

Store your flowers in a cool, air-conditioned room or a cool basement.

Avoid hot environments—cars, garages, sheds, or any space where temperatures rise above room temperature. Heat shortens the lifespan of cut flowers dramatically.

Use Light Strategically

If your flowers are in a tight bud stage, placing the buckets in a brighter spot will help them open more quickly. Once the flower’s have opened to where you want them, then move them to a darker space to slow their development.

If you’re unsure, choose a darker room—close curtains and keep lights off until arranging.

Flower Food: Use It or Skip It?

Flower food is optional—you can absolutely have beautiful flowers without it.

However, it does offer benefits: it keeps water cleaner for longer, encourages buds to open, and can extend the overall life of your flowers. Use it if you’d like a little extra insurance.

Make Sure You’ve Got Everything You Need

Use our Checklist to get yourself prepped and organized