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Papa Joe & Co., Balmain · 19 October 2026
There’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet on the kitchen bench. How long it stays beautiful depends on what happens after it arrives, and a few simple habits can add days to the life of your flowers.
Here are the tips our florists at Papa Joe & Co. in Balmain share with customers every day.
Trim about 2–3 cm off each stem as soon as your flowers arrive, cutting on an angle with sharp scissors. An angled cut gives the stem more surface to drink from. Blunt scissors crush the stem, so use sharp ones and, if you can, cut under running water.
Leaves sitting in water rot and grow bacteria, which blocks the stems and shortens the life of the whole bouquet. Strip off every leaf that would sit below the water.
Wash the vase with warm, soapy water first. Fill it with cool water and add the flower food sachet if one came with your bouquet. Change the water every two days and give the stems a small trim each time. It’s the single biggest thing you can do.
Keep flowers somewhere cool and out of direct sun, away from heaters, air conditioner vents and sunny windowsills. Keep them away from fruit bowls too, because ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which makes flowers age faster.
When a bloom starts to wilt, remove it straight away so it doesn’t speed up the rest. You can often re-arrange the remaining stems in a smaller vase and enjoy them for longer.
Roses are thirsty, so keep the vase topped up. If a head starts to droop, re-cut the stem and stand it in deep, cool water for an hour.
Lilies are often delivered in bud so you can watch them open. Gently remove the orange pollen as each flower opens. It stains fabric, and removing it helps the bloom last longer.
Tulips keep growing after they’re cut and bend towards the light. Use a tall vase, keep the water shallow and cool, and turn the vase each day.
Orchids are among the longest-lasting flowers you can buy. Keep them in bright, indirect light and don’t over-water.
Proteas, banksias and other natives are tough and long-lasting. They need less water than most flowers, and many dry beautifully so you can keep them for months.
These have soft, heavy stems. Use only a few centimetres of water, as long stems sitting in deep water can go soft.
Looking for flowers that last? These are some of our longest-lasting favourites:
The Aussie WildflowerShop now →
Exotic Purple Orchid BouquetShop now →
The King Protea SunburstShop now →It depends on the flowers. As a general guide, with good care most mixed bouquets last around five days to a week. Orchids, chrysanthemums and many natives often last longer, while more delicate flowers may fade sooner. Starting with fresh flowers makes all the difference, which is why every arrangement at Papa Joe & Co. is made to order in our Balmain store.
Visit us at 196 Darling Street, Balmain, or order online for delivery across Sydney’s Inner West. Free delivery on orders over $200.
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