Summer Flower Care Tips: How to Keep Your Blooms Happy in the Heat

Sunshine and long evenings? Yes please. Droopy, thirsty flowers wilting before their time? Not so much.

Whether it’s blazing hot or just that muggy British summer kind of warm, your bouquet needs a little extra love to stay fresh. At Stems by Kerry, we want your flowers to last as long as your memories of summer holidays and garden cocktails.

Here’s our easy-peasy guide to giving your blooms the TLC they need when the temperatures rise.

💧 1. Keep Them Topped Up

When it’s warm, flowers get extra thirsty and the water in your vase evaporates much quicker. Think of it like this: if you’re reaching for iced coffee number three, your bouquet’s parched too.

What to do: Keep your vase at least a third full at all times with clean, fresh water. Check it daily. Top it up like it’s your emotional support water bottle.

🧼 2. Clean Water = Happy Flowers

Warm weather = prime time for bacteria to party in your vase. That cloudy water and slimy stem situation? It’s not cute, and your flowers will protest by fading faster.

What to do: Change the water every two days (or daily during a heatwave). Rinse the vase properly and refill with lukewarm water — weirdly, it slows down bacteria growth better than cold.

🌞 3. They’re Not Sunbathers

Yes, we’re all chasing the sun — but your bouquet? Not so much. Flowers lose moisture through their petals, and too much direct sunlight can cause them to crisp up like forgotten salad leaves.

What to do: Display your bouquet out of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day. If your home gets particularly warm in the evening, move them to a cooler corner or hallway overnight to give them a break.

🌬️ 4. Keep It Cool (and Consistent)

Sudden swings in temperature – like a greenhouse by day and arctic tundra at night – can really mess with your flowers, especially sensitive ones like peonies, irises, gladioli, or lilies.

What to do: Find them a cool, steady spot away from radiators, open windows, or full-blast fans. And if you're out all day, try cracking a window early in the morning before the house turns into an oven.

✂️ 5. A Little Trim Goes a Long Way

Your flowers channel energy through their stems — so giving them a fresh cut helps them drink better and perks them up. Removing extra leaves also stops the water from going murky too quickly.

What to do: Every time you change the water, trim 1–2cm off each stem at an angle. If your bouquet includes leafy queens like Eustoma (Lisianthus), Celosia, or Chrysanthemums, feel free to strip off some of the lower foliage for a cleaner look and a longer life.

🌼 A Final Word from Us...

Summer bouquets bring all the joy but they do need a bit of extra care in the heat. Just a few simple steps can keep them blooming beautifully for longer, so you get the most from every petal.

Put the kettle on, admire your handiwork, and enjoy your flowers, they’re blooming marvellous, just like you.