You've received or bought a beautiful bouquet of roses and, of course, you want to enjoy them for as long as possible. With the right care, you can double their lifespan: from a few days to up to two weeks! Read on for our top tips on how to make those gorgeous flowers last even longer.

1. Start with a clean vase

This may sound obvious, but it's essential to always use a spotlessly clean vase. Bacteria in a dirty vase are the biggest enemy of fresh roses. Rinse your vase thoroughly with warm water and a splash of vinegar or antibacterial soap. A clean vase will help your roses absorb water well and stay fresh for longer.

2. Cut the stems diagonally under water

This is perhaps the most important tip! Roses absorb water through their stems, but air bubbles can form in the stems as soon as they are cut outside of the water. These can block water absorption, which isn't ideal.

The best approach is to fill a large bowl or bucket with cold water, hold the stem under the water and use a sharp knife to cut off at least 2–3 cm of the stem at an angle of about 45 degrees. Why cut at an angle? This increases the surface area through which the rose can absorb water. Then place your roses directly in the vase.

3. Use flower food (yes, really!)

At De Duinroos, you will always receive flower food with your bouquet. And for good reason — it really works! Flower food contains sugars to provide the flowers with energy, as well as agents to prevent bacterial growth. Many people throw the sachet away or forget to use it, but we highly recommend using it.

Dissolve the contents of the sachet in lukewarm water according to the instructions on the packet. This is usually one sachet per litre of water. Out of flower food? Add a teaspoon of sugar to the water instead: this will also give your roses some extra energy.

4. Remove all the rose leaves below the waterline

This simple trick makes a big difference. Leaves submerged in water will rot and encourage the growth of bacteria. And bacteria? They are detrimental to the longevity of your roses.

Strip all the leaves from the bottom of the stem, i.e. anything that will be submerged. Not only will your roses look better, they'll also stay fresh for longer. You should also remove any fallen leaves floating in the water immediately.

5. Keep your roses cool (but not too cold)

Roses prefer a cool environment, but not extreme cold. Place your vase out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, radiators and other sources of heat. Draughts and fans also dry roses out too quickly, so avoid placing your vase near them.

The ideal temperature for roses is between 15 and 20°C. A cool spot in the living room or on the dining table is perfect.

6. Keep roses away from fruit

This might sound strange, but it's important: never put your bouquet of roses near a bowl of fruit. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which is a natural plant hormone that accelerates the wilting process. Apples and bananas are the worst offenders.

The same goes for vegetables, by the way. So, even if you're storing roses temporarily in the refrigerator, make sure you remove all fruit and vegetables first.

7. Caring for roses in a vase: fresh water is half the battle

Change the water in your vase every two to three days. Is the water cloudy? Change it immediately. Each time you change the water, trim about 1 centimetre off the stems and re-water them. Don't forget to add flower food to the fresh water.

This may sound like a lot of work, but it only takes a few minutes and will significantly extend the life of your roses. Think of it as a small ritual that allows you to consciously reflect on the beauty of your flowers.

8. The refrigerator trick: A professional secret

Here's a tip that many professional florists use: refrigerate your roses overnight! The cold temperature slows down the ageing process, keeping your roses fresher for longer. Enjoy your bouquet during the day, then in the evening, before going to bed, put the whole vase in the fridge for six hours.

This can give you an extra 3–5 days of enjoyment. Note: remove all fruit and vegetables from the fridge first (because of ethylene gas) and set the temperature to around 4°C. In the morning, take your roses out again and enjoy them once more.

9. Wait to remove the bud leaves

You will see these on almost every rose: the outer 'bud leaves', which may be slightly green or brown around the edges. These leaves protect the rose during transport. While many people remove them immediately, we recommend waiting until your rose is almost open or if you find them particularly unsightly.

Why? These leaves protect the inner petals, so removing them shortens the rose's lifespan. Once the rose is almost fully open, you can carefully pull the leaves off to make it look even more beautiful.

Make your roses last longer!

Now you know all the tips for keeping your roses beautiful for longer, it's time to enjoy them! With the right care, your roses should stay looking their best for an average of seven to 14 days. Whether you choose classic red roses, elegant white roses or sunny yellow ones, these tips will help you get the most out of every bouquet.

At De Duinroos, we deliver fresh, lovingly crafted bouquets straight to your door. Order before 1.45 pm? Then we'll deliver your roses today. Each bouquet comes with professional flower food, allowing the recipient to place the flowers directly in a vase. Want to know more about caring for other flowers? Check out our care tips for all flowers.