Christmas flowers ‘killed off’ when you cut them the wrong way – when to snip twice

Fresh flowers bring a vibrant burst of colour to the season, adding a touch of nature to interiors.

Their natural fragrance can lift the mood, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere during festive gatherings.

However, failing to take care of your floral arrangements could see them wilt before their time.

Plant expert at Samantha Walker, has shared some must-know tips on prolonging the vase life of your Christmas flowers.

She suggests that one simple mistake could be seeing our favourite flowers dying prematurely.

With a bit of expert help, your seasonal blooms could be welcoming in the with you. The expert said: “When you first receive your bouquet, it’s vital you trim the stems to increase hydration.”

While most people know that fresh flowers need to be popped into water, it’s not so commonly known that cutting them wrong could be killing them.

Cutting flower stems at a slant is important because it creates a larger surface area for water absorption. This simple step helps flowers stay hydrated and extends their lifespan.

Sam said: “Aim for a 45-degree angle to maximise surface area and encourage the stems to take in water. Cutting stems horizontally can also encourage them to sit flat on the bottom of the vase, which hinders water absorption.

“Whether you’re buying a bouquet for your own Christmas centrepiece, or buying a floral gift to show your love, you want the flowers to look amazing for as long as possible.”

Samantha shared some more top tips on how to keep blooms fresh and festive.

Don’t place near fruit

Some fruits give off gases which can speed up the aging process of flowers.

Sam said: “If you want to maximise the longevity of your arrangement, it’s a bad idea to position your flowers directly next to the fruit bowl.

“The most notorious culprits are tomatoes, apples, bananas and pears.”

Avoid freezing cold water

Using filtered or room temperature water helps flowers stay fresher and last longer.

“Tap water can be freezing in winter. This can shock the stems and lead to wilting. Instead, fill your vase with lukewarm water to help the flowers absorb water and open up.” Sam explains.

Choose cool spots

Every room has heat spots. These are important to consider when choosing where to display your bouquet. Of course, avoid spots near radiators or fireplaces.

Sam added: “While windowsills are often the coolest area of the room, be careful which sill you choose. Even in winter, the concentrated sun in south-facing windows can be too strong for cut flowers.

“Remember also the temperature in the kitchen can amp up when you’re doing lots of cooking. So, the kitchen may not be the best place to display your bouquet either.”

Cut woody stems twice

“Some plants that are commonly found in , such as roses, laurel, eucalyptus and pussy willow, have woody stems. This different composition means they benefit from specialist preparation.

“When you first receive them and trim their stems, create an additional vertical cut of around 5cm through the base of the stem.”