Cut flowers that last: an honest ranking

Some flowers are sprinters and some are marathon runners. If you want a bouquet that is still looking well in a fortnight, the choice of flower matters as much as the care. Here is how fourteen bouquet regulars compare in an ordinary Irish home.

Last updated: 25 October 2026 By: SendFlowers.ie editorial team Reading time: approx. 5 min

🥇 Chrysanthemums and carnations — often two to three weeks in a cool room.

💧 Fresh water every two or three days — the habit that adds the most days.

❄️ Cooler is better — a hall or porch beats a warm sitting room.

See bouquets → Jump to the ranking ↓

Vase life is a mix of the flower itself, how long ago it was cut and the room it ends up in. Irish homes are kinder to flowers than many: our houses are rarely hot in summer. The usual problems are central heating in winter, sunny windowsills and vases left with old water.

The five that go the distance

🥇ChrysanthemumSpray types can last three weeks.
🥈CarnationTwo weeks or more, if kept away from fruit.
🥉AlstroemeriaOpens bud by bud for well over a week.
⭐Asiatic lilyTen days or more when bought in bud.
⭐SunflowerAbout a week, longer with daily topping up.

How we ranked them. The ranges are typical vase life for fresh flowers kept in clean water in a cool room, drawn from common florist and horticultural guidance. Your own results will depend on how fresh the stems were and where the vase stands.

Fourteen cut flowers side by side

Longer bars mean longer vase life. Green bars last around two weeks or more, yellow around a week, red less than a week.

Typical vase life with good care

Tap a name for more about that flower.

Chrysanthemum (spray)

14–21 days The marathon runner. Strip lower leaves; the woody stems need a sharp, fresh cut.

Carnation

14–21 days Cut between the knobbly joints and keep well away from the fruit bowl.

Alstroemeria

10–14 days Buds keep opening for a week or more. Pull off yellowing leaves.

Lily, Asiatic and LA

10–14 days Buy with closed buds and pinch out the pollen as each flower opens.

Lily, Oriental

7–12 days Big scented flowers that open fast in a warm room.

Gerbera

7–10 days Use shallow water; the hairy stems go soft if they sit deep.

Sunflower

6–10 days Very thirsty. Top up every day and strip the big leaves.

Roses

5–10 days If a head droops, recut the stem under water.

Hydrangea

4–7 days Submerge a wilting head in cool water for half an hour.

Tulips

5–7 days Cold water, not too deep. They keep growing after cutting.

Peony

5–7 days Buy at the soft bud stage so you see the whole opening.

Daffodils

4–6 days Keep them in their own water first; their sap harms other flowers.

Dahlia

4–6 days Cut nearly open; buds rarely open indoors. Change water often.

Iris

3–6 days Snap off the first flower when it fades; a second bud often follows.

Want flowers that keep going?

Look for bouquets built around chrysanthemums, carnations, alstroemeria or lilies.

See bouquets →

What shortens vase life

Every flower on the list does better when you avoid these six common mistakes.

✂️

Dry, sealed stems

A stem that has been out of water seals over. Take a couple of centimetres off with a sharp blade as soon as the flowers arrive.

🌿

Leaves in the water

They rot within a day or two and feed the bacteria that block stems. Strip everything below the waterline.

💧

Old water

Cloudy water is a warning sign. Empty, rinse and refill every two or three days, trimming the stems as you go.

🔥

Heat and sun

The radiator under the window and the sunny sill are the worst spots in the house. A cool hall is one of the best.

🍌

The fruit bowl

Ripening bananas and apples release ethylene, which ages flowers. Carnations and alstroemeria are especially sensitive.

🌼

Bad neighbours

Freshly cut daffodils leak a sap that shortens the life of other flowers. Give them a few hours alone first.

Two weeks with a bouquet

A simple routine for a mixed bouquet of long-lasting flowers.

From arrival to the last stem

Short-lived flowers such as tulips or hydrangeas move through these stages in about half the time.

Day 0 Unwrap and trimFresh cut, leaves off below the water, clean vase, cool water and the flower food.

Days 1–3 Opening upBuds open and the bouquet looks its best. Top up the water daily.

Days 3–6 First refreshNew water, a rinse of the vase and a small trim of every stem.

Days 7–10 Edit the bunchTake out anything faded. Shorter stems in a smaller vase often look fresh again.

Days 11–14+ The survivorsChrysanthemums and carnations are often still going. Make a little posy of what is left.

Six good picks for a long-lasting gift

Choosing flowers for someone who will not have time to fuss over them, such as new parents, a busy colleague or a family after a funeral? Start here.

1 Chrysanthemum 2–3 weeks Sprays of small flowers in every colour; no longer just for November. See bouquets

2 Carnation 2 weeks or more Ruffled, sturdy and far more stylish than its reputation. See bouquets

3 Alstroemeria 10–14 days Almost scent-free, so it suits offices and small rooms. See bouquets

4 Asiatic lily 10–14 days Bright and long-lived, but never for a home with a cat. See bouquets

5 Gerbera 7–10 days Big colour from a few stems; keep the water shallow. See bouquets

6 Roses About a week Firm, closed heads at purchase usually mean a longer life. See bouquets

Questions about vase life

Which cut flowers last longest?

Spray chrysanthemums and carnations are the champions and often manage two to three weeks. Alstroemeria and Asiatic lilies come close. Tulips, peonies, daffodils and dahlias are lovely but rarely last more than a week.

Why did my bouquet die after a few days?

Usually one of three things: the stems were not recut and dried out, leaves were left in the water and bacteria clogged the stems, or the vase stood somewhere warm, such as above a radiator or beside a sunny window.

Is it worth using the flower food sachet?

Yes. It contains sugar for energy, an acidifier that helps stems take up water and an ingredient that slows bacteria. Mix the whole sachet with the amount of water it says on the packet.

Do supermarket flowers last as long as florist flowers?

It depends on how fresh they are and how they were stored, not on where they were bought. Look for firm stems, clean leaves and flowers still in bud, and avoid buckets standing in a warm shop doorway.

Should I just top up the water?

Topping up is fine between changes, but replace the water completely every two or three days and rinse the vase. Old water builds up bacteria that block the stems even when the level looks fine.

Choose flowers that keep going

Bouquets with long-lasting flowers for homes and offices across Ireland.

See bouquets

Please note. Vase life varies with the age of the flowers, the season and the conditions in your home. The ranges above are guides, not guarantees.