Keeping flowers from wilting is a time-consuming business, and if you’re a horticultural whiz-kid or just someone who’d like to brighten the place with a few colourful arrangements, then you’ll love these few ideas for making sure nothing goes wrong.

1. Make sure the water is as fresh as possible. You’d be surprised how often this isn’t the case – stale, used water isn’t healthy. You wouldn’t drink it, and your plants shouldn’t have to either. Simply changing the water every morning or, even better, twice a day, means that the plants will receive as much water as they would if it was raining or they were being watered outside.
2. Consider making super-water. Plant food is all very good and well, but there are several mixes of chemicals, household goods and water that can keep flowers fresh for far longer. Small amounts of bleach, soda, even acid and using pennies (copper) as fungicide are good ideas. However, check each one – every species needs its own brand of care.
3. Clean the container itself. Putting clean water in a dirty bath is a ridiculous idea, right? So why do the same with your flowers? It can dirty the water you’re putting in almost instantly and defeats the object. Stay clean, keep them alive.
4. Always cut stems at an angle. This means that even if the stem is touching the bottom of the container, it receives water through one side due to the diagonal shape of the stem’s end. This will prevent any disasters involving starving plants.
5. Keep them free of baggage. Excess guard petals are one of the many reasons your flowers aren’t getting what they need, so make sure these are removed. Also remove any leaves that are below the water-line.

Hopefully, these tips should keep your blooming blossoms looking fantastic for days, and your reward comes in the form of a lovely smell and the sight of wonderful plants around the home for longer than you’d ever expect.