How to Care for a Posy (and Keep Fresh Flowers Alive for Longer)
Your posy has just arrived, and you want it to look this good for as long as possible. Caring for a posy takes five minutes and five simple steps. Every Petal & Post posy is sourced from local growers near your city, who favour seasonal, long-lasting stems, so you are already starting ahead. Here is how to care for a posy so your fresh flowers stay bright for well over a week.
Why a farm-fresh posy lasts longer to begin with
Your flowers did not come off an auction floor or out of a market. Our studios buy direct from nearby growers and the stems reach us in bud, so they open in your home. Read why we source from local growers, or find out more about Petal & Post.
How to care for your posy in 5 steps
Step 1: Strip the lower leaves
Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Leaves in water cause bacterial growth, the quickest way to shorten your posy’s life.
Step 2: Give the stems a fresh cut
Use sharp, clean scissors to trim 3 to 5 cm off each stem at an angle. Trim again a few days later for a visible perk-up.
Step 3: Feed your flowers with posy food
Clean your vase, fill it with 1L of cool water and mix in the posy food sachet that comes with every posy.
Step 4: Keep them cool and out of direct sun
A cooler room out of direct sunlight is ideal, but avoid aircons and draughty spaces. The warmer the room, the faster flowers open and fade.
Step 5: Refresh the water every few days
Every few days, give the vase a good wipe down and refill it with fresh, cool water. It is the perfect moment for that second trim.
Fancy restyling them? Here is how to arrange flowers at home.
How long should a posy last?
With these five steps, most posies last well over a week, and some stems keep going for up to two weeks. Delicate peonies last around five days, while roses, lilies and chrysanthemums tend to last the longest.
Care tips for specific stems
Peonies
Peonies are thirsty and open quickly in the heat, so top up their water daily and give them a shady spot. Our guide on how to care for peonies has the full routine.
Roses (and the Rose Box)
Our Rose Box holds 20 Kenya-grown Maritim roses. Unwrap them, trim each stem at a 45 degree angle and fill the vase a third of the way with cold water and posy food. More rose care tips for the Rose Box are in our roses guide.
Sunflowers and dahlias
Both are heavy-headed and thirsty, so watch the water level. For dahlias, use very warm tap water (not boiling) when they first arrive, then top up daily. It helps the heavy stems draw up water. Read why dahlias make such a special gift.
Lilies and tulips (they open in the vase)
Lilies arrive in tightly closed bud and tulips keep opening in the vase, so do not worry if they look closed on day one.
Just received a Mother’s Day or Valentine’s posy?
We are delighted your special someone chose Petal & Post. Your stems were picked by local growers near you, so with the five steps above they should stay beautiful for up to two weeks. We would love to see them in your home, so tag us @petalandpostsouthafrica. Spoiling someone next? See our Mother’s Day flower delivery and Valentine’s flower delivery.
Common posy problems and quick fixes
Drooping heads
The stem is not drinking properly. Re-trim it at an angle and put it straight into fresh, cool water.
Cloudy or smelly water
That is bacteria. Wipe the vase clean, refill with fresh water and check no leaves sit below the waterline.
Petals browning early
Gently pull off browning petals and dry leaves, and move the vase away from sun, heaters, fans and aircons.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep a posy fresh for longer?
Strip leaves below the waterline, trim the stems at an angle, mix the posy food into 1L of cool water in a clean vase, keep it out of direct sun and away from aircons, and refresh the water every few days.
How long does a fresh flower posy last?
With basic care most posies last well over a week, and some stems up to two weeks. Peonies last around five days, while roses, lilies and chrysanthemums last longest.
What is posy food and do I really need it?
Posy food is the flower food sachet included with every Petal & Post posy. It feeds the stems and keeps bacteria out of the vase, the main reason flowers wilt early. Yes, use it.
Should I cut the stems of a posy before putting it in water?
Yes. Cut 3 to 5 cm off each stem at an angle with sharp, clean scissors, then trim again a few days later when you change the water.
Send a farm-fresh posy today
Our weekly posies change with the season, and every one arrives with posy food. Choose today’s Cape Town posy, today’s Johannesburg posy or today’s Durban posy, and order before 3pm for same-day delivery.