There's nothing quite like a fresh bouquet brightening up a room — but watching petals droop after just a day or two is a real disappointment. The good news: with a few simple habits, most arrangements can stay beautiful for a week or more.

1. Trim the stems at an angle. Cut about an inch off each stem at a 45-degree angle before placing flowers in water. This increases the surface area for water uptake and prevents stems from sitting flat against the vase bottom, which can block absorption.

2. Use clean, cool water. Bacteria are the enemy of fresh flowers. Change the water every two days and rinse the vase each time. Cool water (not ice cold) is ideal for most varieties — warm water can accelerate wilting.

3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Any foliage submerged in water will rot quickly, introducing bacteria that shorten the life of your entire arrangement. Strip leaves from the lower third of each stem before arranging.

4. Keep flowers away from heat and direct sunlight. A sunny windowsill might seem like the perfect spot, but heat and UV light speed up the aging process. Choose a cool, bright spot away from radiators, appliances, and direct sun.

5. Avoid placing flowers near fruit. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which causes flowers to age faster. Keep your bouquet in a separate room from the fruit bowl.

6. Use flower food. The small packet included with most arrangements contains sugar (for energy), acidifier (to lower pH and improve water uptake), and a biocide (to inhibit bacteria). Use it — it genuinely works.

7. Mist delicate blooms. Flowers like hydrangeas and peonies can absorb water through their petals. A light misting once a day helps keep them hydrated, especially in dry indoor air.

Following these steps won't make flowers immortal, but they can easily add three to five extra days of beauty to any arrangement. Questions about caring for a specific bloom? Call us at (212) 828-3088 — we're happy to help.