Guide
Keeping Flowers Fresh in Los Angeles Heat
Dry air and afternoon sun shorten vase life. A few small habits make a real difference.
Los Angeles is hard on cut flowers — dry air, strong light and warm rooms all speed up the clock. The good news is that vase life responds strongly to a handful of easy habits.
Trim the stems at an angle, every two days
An angled cut gives more surface for water uptake and stops the stem sealing flat against the bottom of the vase. Two centimeters is plenty each time.
Change the water when it clouds
Cloudy water means bacteria, and bacteria block stems. Fresh cool water every couple of days does more for longevity than any additive.
Placement beats everything
Keep the arrangement out of direct sun, away from heating and AC vents, and away from ripening fruit — the ethylene bowls of fruit give off ages blooms fast.
Moving the vase somewhere cool overnight can add days in summer.
Longest-lasting choices for LA
Chrysanthemums, carnations, alstroemeria, orchids and most greenery hold up well in dry heat. Hydrangeas, peonies and tulips are beautiful but thirstier — worth it for an event, less so for a hot week.
Common questions
- How long should fresh flowers last?
- Most arrangements last five to ten days with fresh water and trimmed stems. Orchids and plants last considerably longer.
- Should I use flower food?
- It helps, but clean water changed regularly matters more.
Send flowers today
Call 424.446.2353 between 8 AM and 5 PM, or send us the details and we'll call you back. Free delivery across Los Angeles.