‘I’m a flower expert and this is how you make your Christmas bouquet last longer

A festive bouquet brightens up any room but they can often wilt much quicker in winter – which means your treasured Christmas display could be at risk.

Now an expert has shared their tips on how to keep them field-fresh for the biggest day in the festive calendar. 

Floral product developer at M&S Samantha Walker shared six tips to help protect your flowers from harsher indoor conditions during winter, like central heating and hot kitchens. 

Avoid freezing cold water

Even though cool temperatures may seem refreshing, the freezing tap water in winter could shock the stems and lead to wilting, so Walker advises filling the vase with lukewarm water instead, which will help the flowers absorb water and bloom.

Don’t place near fruit

Some fruits give off gases which can speed up the ageing process, so it’s a bad idea to position blooms directly next to the fruit bowl, especially if it contains apples, bananas, pears or tomatoes. 

Choose cool spots

Avoid hot spots which can shorten the lifespan of your flowers, especially radiators or fireplaces. Even cooler windowsills could still get too much sun if they’re south facing. 

The kitchen may not be the best place to display your bouquet either, as the temperature can really ramp up during the feasting season. 

Trim stems at an angle

Cutting your stems at a 45-degree angle instead of a blunt cut maximises the surface area that water can be absorbed through, which helps keep your flowers fresh and hydrated. 

It also means your stems won’t lay flat on the bottom of the vase, which would hinder water entering the stems.

Cut woody stems twice

Some plants that are commonly found in Christmas bouquets, such as roses, laurel, eucalyptus and pussy willow have woody stems, which benefit from a two pronged approach. 

In addition to cutting the stems horizontally, Walker encourages you to make a small 5cm vertical cut up through the base of the stem.

Feed your flowers

The sachet of flower food is vital for cut flowers, but if you misplace it, you can still make your own feed by stirring two tablespoons of lemon juice and a tablespoon of sugar into a large vase of water.