{"id":1164,"date":"2026-06-03T08:18:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T20:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/?p=1164"},"modified":"2026-06-03T08:18:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T20:18:32","slug":"flower-care-myths-debunked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/flower-care-myths-debunked\/","title":{"rendered":"Flower Care Myths Kiwis Still Believe \u2013 Debunked by Interflora Florists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/flowers\/best-buys\">Flowers<\/a> are one of the easiest ways to brighten a home, but there\u2019s a surprising amount of misinformation floating around about how to look after them. Many of us grew up hearing \u201ctips\u201d from grandparents, flatmates or social media that don\u2019t actually help your flowers \u2013 and some can even shorten their vase life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We asked experienced Interflora florists from around Aotearoa to weigh in on the most common flower care myths they still hear from customers, and what you should do instead to keep your blooms looking beautiful for longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 1: \u201cA spoonful of sugar keeps flowers alive longer\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is probably the most popular flower care myth in New Zealand homes. The thinking is that sugar \u201cfeeds\u201d the flowers and keeps them fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, adding sugar on its own often encourages bacteria to grow in the vase water, which can clog stems and cause flowers to wilt more quickly. Any initial perk you might see is usually short\u2011lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color has-extra-small-font-size wp-elements-2f94f8d8faa54b7e20fa03d607798428\">Use the professional flower food sachet that comes with your Interflora bouquet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color has-extra-small-font-size wp-elements-cbddba60686e744e856aa1d7d9a1fe8a\">Mix it exactly as directed with fresh, cool water in a clean vase.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color has-extra-small-font-size wp-elements-2e5e674020174e55cfbbff712b5cd626\">Change the water every two days and add fresh flower food each time if you have extra sachets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional flower food is carefully balanced with nutrients, acidifiers and biocides \u2013 so your blooms get what they need without turning the vase into a bacteria party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 2: \u201cJust top up the water \u2013 you don\u2019t need to change it\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people simply top up the vase as the water level drops, assuming clear water equals clean water. Unfortunately, even if it looks okay, old water is usually full of bacteria and microscopic debris from stems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time this build-up blocks the straw\u2011like vessels inside each stem, meaning the flowers can\u2019t drink properly and start to droop or brown at the edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2d930ed250fa9ecea057df8392c92cb9\">Fully change the water every one to two days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0a6d5a11ca741dfeede816f88562ee65\">Rinse the vase with warm, soapy water, then with clear water before refilling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98da2cac811753727d668e88063fd427\">Trim 1\u20132 cm off the stem ends at a sharp angle each time you change the water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of it like a glass of drinking water for your flowers \u2013 you wouldn\u2019t just keep topping your own up forever without washing the glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 3: \u201cFlowers last longer in the fridge\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s true that florists use coolrooms, but that doesn\u2019t mean your kitchen fridge is a good place for your bouquet. Domestic fridges are designed for food, not flowers, and the environment inside is often too cold, too dry and full of ethylene-producing fruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ethylene is a natural plant hormone given off by some fruits and vegetables (like apples, bananas and tomatoes) that speeds up ripening \u2013 and sadly, it can also speed up flower ageing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-219f1407b0540fff0223f1999ee9cd7d\">Keep arrangements in a cool room away from direct sun, heaters, fireplaces and draughts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d0b52746b8571ed4ae26c2deb342f523\">Display them away from fruit bowls and vegetable storage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e4f4161de56fdf475f2c2790ce4e1c89\">If it\u2019s a very hot day, move flowers to the coolest room in the house overnight rather than into the fridge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A stable, mild temperature is ideal \u2013 think comfortable jersey, not winter jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 4: \u201cBleach, lemonade or vodka in the vase water works wonders\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The internet is full of \u201csecret hacks\u201d involving household products. Tiny amounts of some additives can have a mild effect on bacteria levels or pH, but it\u2019s very easy to get the balance wrong and damage the flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lemonade usually contains sugar and acids that can increase bacteria growth, and alcohol can dehydrate stems. Bleach is effective at killing bacteria, but too much will burn delicate tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70de011d5b8c570e1d3d74958d0cfe9a\">Skip the DIY cocktail and rely on proper flower food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a9c808ba50d3f4dda158de08cba79a06\">If you do not have any, use plain fresh water and focus on frequent changes and clean vases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6e52ebaabd09f45d9a284baa5a1d3daf\">Avoid adding household chemicals unless you understand exactly how they work \u2013 and even then, use with great caution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The simplest routine \u2013 clean vase, fresh water, regular trims \u2013 almost always outperforms \u201cmagic\u201d tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 5: \u201cAll flowers like full sun on the windowsill\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because flowers grow outdoors, it\u2019s easy to assume they\u2019ll be happiest in the sunniest spot in the house. Cut flowers, however, are no longer drawing water and nutrients from roots in the ground. Direct sun indoors can be surprisingly intense, heating the water and stressing the blooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Result: petals dry, colours fade, and flowers age faster than they would in a cooler position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ab5e090d0b413701401c7b6c10332e08\">Choose bright, indirect light rather than harsh midday sun.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9dd3242def6cc7c138f780a0250ba0e2\">Keep arrangements away from north\u2011 or west\u2011facing windows that get strong afternoon light.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6c065f40273d5a60f11d495e48fb19c1\">Watch for signs of heat stress such as limp petals, dry edges or cloudy water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For most bouquets, \u201cbright but not baking\u201d is the sweet spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 6: \u201cYou should remove all leaves from the stems\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving foliage on stems above the water line is not a problem \u2013 in fact, it helps create a full, lush arrangement. The real issue is leaves sitting below the water line, where they break down quickly and feed bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people strip stems bare thinking this will help the flowers last longer, but it can spoil the look of the bouquet and isn\u2019t necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6d2bd04664b0a8a84e453aead9342319\">Remove any leaves that will sit below the water line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a0461c105153b539d90766496190168d\">Leave foliage on the upper part of the stem to keep the arrangement looking balanced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-763d6a447e7a75e103eed4dc688d42c9\">Check daily and strip any leaves that have slipped into the water as you rearrange.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A little foliage in the right place adds structure, movement and texture to your bouquet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 7: \u201cYou should bash the stems with a hammer\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This old\u2011school tip comes from the idea that \u201copening up\u201d woody stems helps them drink. In practice, smashing stems can damage the water\u2011carrying vessels and create a messy, rotting end that blocks water uptake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might still see this myth suggested for roses or woody stems, but it is definitely one our florists would love to retire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7fea0c1ffaccd5708f03cc02cf99dc03\">Use clean, sharp secateurs or a knife to cut stems on a diagonal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4895b860ae813e92e41957192057706b\">Re\u2011cut 1\u20132 cm off the ends every couple of days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a214e32f6f9178b7ac92f4cdd9168960\">For woody stems (like some natives or branches), a simple vertical slit up the base of the stem can help, but no hammering required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Clean, precise cuts are far more effective than brute force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Myth 8: \u201cFlorist\u2011arranged bouquets don\u2019t need any care\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because a professional florist has created your bouquet, it\u2019s tempting to think it will just take care of itself. While design and conditioning at the florist make a big difference, once the arrangement is in your home it still needs a little attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignoring water levels, heat, and maintenance can shorten vase life, even for premium flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Interflora florists recommend instead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow this simple care routine for any Interflora bouquet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-606c41d17a09f2f9f5e04c699dffb896\">Place in a clean vase with fresh water and flower food as soon as possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44a32be9703ab88476410d86ef15bce9\">Keep away from direct sun, heaters, air\u2011conditioning vents and fruit bowls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6a5dadf8093a3d53b55d20b5bae42116\">Change the water and re\u2011cut stems every one to two days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29bc6c3dd79174fb1d295d452768129e\">Remove any flowers or foliage that start to fade so the rest of the bouquet stays fresher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple of minutes every few days can add several days of extra enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Blog-cover-1-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Blog-cover-1-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Blog-cover-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Blog-cover-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Blog-cover-1-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A simple Kiwi\u2011friendly flower care checklist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To bring it all together, here\u2019s an easy routine you can use with your next bouquet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6618d8e0b910c9a29c8169e3f8dcd07d\">Clean vase, cool fresh water, use the supplied flower food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-079cdb7f3409c99b37aa15e67b4b9da0\">Trim stems at an angle before placing them in the vase.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0e45fc28336635849579c053caa10519\">Keep flowers in a cool spot with bright, indirect light.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7a8b4c3d5423ac1b88c2aa735148f3ab\">Change water and re\u2011cut stems every 1\u20132 days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-cm-text-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5b91279244cfee6eb37c1f68d34758ca\">Remove any leaves below the water line and any fading blooms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With a few good habits &#8211; and none of the myths &#8211; you\u2019ll get the most from every Interflora delivery, whether it\u2019s a \u201cjust because\u201d bunch for your kitchen bench or something special for a big celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.interflora.co.nz\/flowers\/best-buys\"><strong>Shop Our Best Buys<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Flowers are one of the easiest ways to brighten a home, but there\u2019s a surprising amount of misinformation floating around about how to look after them. Many of us grew up hearing \u201ctips\u201d from grandparents, flatmates or social media that don\u2019t actually help your flowers \u2013 and some can even shorten their vase life. We [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flower-care-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Flower Care Myths Kiwis Still Believe \u2013 Debunked by Interflora Florists - FlowerTalk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Flowers are one of the easiest ways to brighten a home, but there\u2019s a surprising amount of misinformation floating around about how to look after them. 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