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How Long Do Flowers Last? A Guide by Flower Type

How Long Do Flowers Last? A Guide by Flower Type

by Saints Flowers in Notes

The honest answer is: it depends. Not particularly satisfying, but accurate. Vase life varies by flower type, by season, by how the stems were handled before they reached you, and by what you do with them once they arrive. Most of those variables are within your control. Some aren't.

What follows is a guide by stem — specific, honest, and based on what we work with at Saints.

The baseline

Most cut flowers, properly cared for, last somewhere between five and ten days. Fresh water every two days, stems trimmed at an angle, away from direct sunlight and radiators. Those things matter. But they only take you so far.

A stem that spent two weeks in cold storage before it reached you will never last as long as one that was cut recently, regardless of care. This is why seasonality matters beyond aesthetics — a flower in season was cut close to its peak, not held in a warehouse waiting for demand. At Saints, every arrangement is built around what's genuinely available right now. That has a direct effect on vase life.

Roses

Seven to ten days when fresh and well-conditioned. One of the more durable cut flowers, which is part of why they're used so frequently. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, change the water every two days, trim the stems each time. Keep them away from fruit — the ethylene gas released by ripening apples and bananas accelerates wilting noticeably.

Tulips

Five to seven days, but so good during that window that it barely matters. They continue to grow after cutting, which means an arrangement will shift and open across the week. Keep them in cool, shallow water. Don't fight what they do — let them move.

Peonies

Five to seven days in full bloom, but the pleasure of receiving peonies in bud — which is how they should arrive — means you get several days of watching them open before the countdown really starts. One of the most rewarding flowers to receive for this reason. Worth every day of their window.

Lilies

Up to two weeks if the buds are still closed when they arrive. Each bud opens in sequence, extending the display gradually. Remove the pollen-bearing stamens as each flower opens — they stain fabric and surfaces, and their removal doesn't affect how long the flower lasts. Handle the pollen carefully. Note: if you have cats, lilies are toxic — read our guide on which flowers are safe for cats before ordering.

Ranunculus and anemones

Five to seven days. Short-lived but genuinely beautiful during that time — these are flowers for savouring, not for longevity. The layered construction of ranunculus means they open slowly across their window, each day revealing something slightly different. Worth it.

Hydrangeas

Up to ten days, but temperamental. They're prone to wilting if the stems aren't properly conditioned on arrival. If wilting occurs, submerge the entire head in cool water for an hour — it often revives them. Keep them well-watered and away from heat sources.

Chrysanthemums

Fourteen days or more. Among the longest-lasting cut flowers available, and persistently underrated. Their association with funeral arrangements has unfairly limited how people use them, but a well-chosen chrysanthemum in an autumn arrangement is quietly extraordinary. If longevity is your primary consideration, chrysanthemums are your best option.

Sunflowers

Seven to twelve days with proper care. They're thirsty — check the water level more frequently than you would with other stems. Keep them in a tall vase that supports the head.

Alliums

Surprisingly durable — seven to ten days — and one of the few stems that actually improves in form as it dries. The spherical heads hold their structure long after the fresh flower has passed, making them useful in arrangements where longevity and architecture both matter.

Dried flowers

A different category entirely. Saints' dried arrangements don't have a vase life in the conventional sense — they shift and fade gradually over months rather than days. Not better or worse than fresh, just a different relationship with time.

The short version

For longevity: chrysanthemums, lilies, carnations, alliums. For beauty at the expense of a longer window: peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, anemones. For a reliable middle ground: roses, sunflowers, hydrangeas.

Most Saints arrangements are built around what's genuinely at its best right now. That means the vase life is as good as it gets for that stem, at that moment. The care guide included with every order covers the basics — fresh water, trimmed stems, away from heat. Everything else follows from those three things.

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