How to Take Care of Roses in a Vase: Tips for Fragrant, Long-Lasting Blooms

Exuding timeless elegance and beauty, roses are a lovely addition to any living space – but their vase life is limited. While most roses only last about 5-7 days, April & Ashley’s farm-direct roses can last up to 2 weeks with the right love and care. This blog will show you have to take care of rose bouquets in a vase so that blooms are long-lasting, fragrant, and vibrant. 

First-Hour Setup: Lock In Vase Life

When you receive your roses, time is of the essence. The sooner you start preparation, the quicker they’ll recover from their journey from the farm to your doorstep – and the longer you’ll enjoy their beautiful blooms.

Vase Preparation

A vase is your rose bouquet’s home. It should have the right amount of space, a comfortable temperature, and adequate food supply. Follow these steps to create the perfect environment where your roses will thrive:

1. Choose a vase that’s large enough for proper airflow.

2. Wash your vase until it’s squeaky clean. 

3. Fill your vase ¾ full with lukewarm water. 

4. Add flower food (included with your April & Ashley bouquet!) to the water and stir until dissolved. Refer to the instructions on the packet for the right serving size.

Stem Preparation

Before placing your roses in their vase, take these simple steps to ensure they stay fresh for longer:

1. Remove guard petals: “Guard petals” are the blemished/wilted outer petals that protect your roses from damage during transit. These can be removed and discarded.

2. Remove lower foliage: Strip away any leaves that would sit below the water line to prevent bacterial growth.

3. Trim stems: Cut at a 45° angle (ideally underwater) to reduce air bubbles and improve uptake. Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to ensure the cleanest cut. 

Bouquet Placement

When the vase and stems are prepared, place your bouquet into its new home. Keep it in a cool spot for 2-4 hours before arranging to let it hydrate.

               

Daily Routine That Extends Vase Life

After initial preparation, your rose bouquet will need ongoing care to stay in tip-top shape. Perform these 5 daily tasks to keep your roses healthy and looking their best:

• Change water daily: Keep your vase water clean to prevent bacteria buildup.

• Re-dose flower food: Feed your roses with each water change. 

• Cut stems: Trim each stem ¼-½ inch to restore water uptake.

• Sanitize vase: Wipe the inside of your vase during water changes, and remove any leaves that may have fallen into the water. 

• Groom with care: Remove fading or wilting blooms to extend the life of your bouquet. 

Vase Placement

While you may already have a spot in mind to display your roses, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. The perfect location to place your bouquet should be:

• Cool: Placing your roses in a cool area will help them stay hydrated for longer.

• Away from direct sunlight, heat, vents, and drafty windows: This will prevent your roses from drying out prematurely. 

• Away from ripening fruit: Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas – which could speed up the aging process of your roses. 

What Kind of Vase Water is Best?

Most of us know that roses need water to survive, but there are some common questions that come up about the kind of water to use:

• Do roses last longer in cold or warm water? It’s best to use lukewarm or room-temperature vase water to aid in uptake. 

• Do roses like sugar water? Sugar can help feed your roses, but can also feed bacteria. If you decide to try this method, also add a bit of vinegar to help combat bacteria. 

• Can you put roses in tap water? Either works just fine, but tap water often contains fluoride and chlorine – which could be harsh on delicate stems.

How to Cut Roses for a Vase (From Your Garden)

Harvesting roses from your garden is an easy and economical way to create your own bouquet and beautify your indoor space. Here’s what you should know before starting:

• Harvest timing: Cut roses in the early morning when they’re at their most hydrated. The buds should have already begun to open, with the outermost petals totally unfurled. 

• Tools & handling: You can use sharp pruners or shears to cut your garden roses. Just make sure they’re sparkling clean. Cut stems at an angle and place them straight into clean, lukewarm water. 

• Pre-arranging: Give each stem a fresh cut, strip lower leaves, and pre-hydrate in your vase solution before styling. 

Visit April & Ashley to browse our collection of premium rose bushes that bloom beautifully in both garden and vase.

How Long Roses Should Last and What Affects It

Most roses last about 5-7 days, while April & Ashley roses can last up to 2 weeks with excellent handling. This is due to our farm-direct model, cutting out the middlemen and shipping directly from our farm to your doorstep. This guarantees freshness at purchase and maximizes vase life. Change vase water regularly, recut stems, sanitize your vase and provide the right room temperature/light conditions for your roses, and they’ll reward you with longer-lasting blooms. 

Remember: consistency in your care routine matters more than any single trick. Show your roses love, and they’ll love you back!

Common Problems.

Although caring for roses in a vase is simple, there are a few common issues that could leave them looking a little sad. Luckily, all of these have quick and easy fixes! These include:

• Bent neck/droop: This means your roses might need a deeper re-cut (ideally underwater) and a fresh, warm solution. Consider wrapping your roses tightly in a piece of wet newspaper to give them temporary head support while absorbing water. 

• Cloudy water/odor: Do a full water change as soon as possible. Clean your vase, re-cut stems, and add new flower food to your solution. 

• Brown/crisp petal edges: Relocate your roses to a cooler spot, remove damaged petals, and resume your daily refresh cycle. 

• Poor uptake: This could be due to clogged ends, overcrowded stems, or heat exposure. Check for any submerged leaves and give the stems a deeper cut. 

Ready to Get Started? 

A consistent daily care routine with the right habits will keep your vase roses looking fresh and beautiful. With a sparkling clean vase and water, freshly-cut stems, and the right dose of flower food, your rose bouquet will grace your home with beauty that lasts. Visit April & Ashley to browse our selection of fragrant, long-lasting rose bouquets – with bundle and subscription options that will give you more blooms for less!