Care Card

Gathered+Styled

Care Card

Tips to keep your flowers looking their best


General Tips for All Fresh Flowers

Cut flowers typically last 3–7 days with good care. Singapore’s heat and humidity mean flowers can deteriorate faster than in cooler climates — the tips below will help you get the most out of every arrangement.


  • Keep flowers in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, heat sources (including stove tops and sunny windowsills), and air-conditioning vents. Ideal room temperature is below 25°C.
  • Keep flowers away from ripening fruit — fruit releases ethylene gas which accelerates wilting. Avoid placing arrangements near fruit bowls or in the kitchen.
  • Replenish water daily and change it completely every 1–2 days to prevent bacterial build-up.
  • Remove any wilted or browning blooms promptly — they release bacteria that affect the remaining flowers.
  • If your flowers include a sachet of flower food, dissolve it in the vase water as directed. Flower food contains nutrients and antibacterial agents that extend vase life.
  • If flowers arrive looking slightly wilted after delivery, recut the stems at an angle and place in fresh, cool water for 1–2 hours. They will usually revive.


Fresh Bouquets

  • Remove all packaging — including tissue paper and water sachets — within 3 hours of receipt.
  • Cut all stems at an angle (approximately 2–3cm) under running water or in a bowl of water. Cutting under water prevents air bubbles from blocking the stem.
  • Place immediately into a clean vase filled with fresh water. Ensure all stem ends are submerged.
  • Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline — submerged foliage rots quickly and contaminates the water.
  • Replenish water daily, retrimming stems every 2–3 days to maintain water uptake.
  • Keep away from direct sunlight, heat, and air-conditioning drafts.


Vase Arrangements

  • Upon receipt, top up the vase with fresh water. Some blooms sit at a shallow depth — keep water levels consistently high to prevent wilting.
  • Replenish water daily, giving stems a fresh trim and removing any wilted blooms.
  • Do not move the arrangement unnecessarily — rearranging stems can damage blooms and disrupt water uptake.
  • Keep away from direct sunlight, heat, and air-conditioning drafts.


Floral Foam Arrangements

Floral foam (wet foam/oasis) holds water and keeps stems hydrated. It requires a slightly different approach from vase arrangements.

  • Upon receipt, gently pour a small amount of fresh water into the centre of the arrangement daily to keep the foam moist. Do not flood it — a slow, steady pour is best.
  • Do not allow the foam to dry out completely, as it cannot be re-saturated once dry.
  • Remove any wilted blooms by pulling or cutting them out cleanly.
  • Keep away from direct sunlight, heat, and air drafts.

Tip: If you notice the foam drying at the edges, mist the arrangement lightly with water using a spray bottle.


Glitch Stems

Glitch Stems are real, fresh-cut Phalaenopsis orchids and Anthuriums. With proper care, they will maintain their beauty for an estimated 3–7 days.

On Arrival

  • Your stems are delivered in a water vial to keep them hydrated in transit. You can leave them in the vial — just monitor the water level and top up as needed.
  • If transferring to a vase, submerge only the bottom few inches of the stem in water. Do not submerge the whole stem in a deep vase.
  • Trim the end of each stem at an angle, just above the lowest node.

Bulk Orders

  • If you ordered multiple stems, give them a water bath on arrival: submerge the entire stem — including the blooms — in fresh water for 10–15 minutes, then trim the stems at an angle above the lowest node.
  • This is also recommended if you notice any blooms becoming droopy.

Display & Ongoing Care

  • Display away from heat, cold, direct sunlight, and drafts.
  • Do not mist or spray the blooms directly — water on the petals can cause spotting.
  • Monitor the vial or vase water daily and top up as needed.


Dried & Preserved Arrangements and Wreaths

Dried and preserved flowers require minimal care but a little attention will help them last much longer.

Display

  • Display indoors, away from direct sunlight to minimise colour fading.
  • Keep away from high humidity and moisture — dried flowers are not waterproof and will deteriorate if they get wet. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor areas.
  • Keep away from heat sources and air-conditioning vents, which can cause brittle stems to snap.

Handling

  • Handle gently — dried stems are fragile and can break easily.
  • Some natural shedding of petals or small blooms is normal, especially when first handled or moved.

Cleaning

  • To remove dust, use a soft dry brush, a hairdryer on the coolest setting held at a distance, or a can of compressed air. Never use a damp cloth.

Scent

  • Certain dried plants such as limonium and gypsophila may have a mild musky scent. This is completely normal. Displaying in a well-ventilated room will help.

Colour & Staining

  • Some dried and preserved materials may cause light staining if they come into contact with pale or light-coloured surfaces. Please display with care.

Lifespan

  • With proper care, dried arrangements and wreaths can last several months to years. Direct sunlight is the biggest factor in accelerating colour loss.


Bridal Flowers

Bridal flowers are designed to look their best on your wedding day. In Singapore’s heat and humidity, fresh-cut flowers can last only about 2 hours without water — so a little planning goes a long way. Follow these guidelines to keep your bouquet and all accompanying pieces looking beautiful from preparation to reception.

The Day Before

  • Remove all paper packaging very carefully. Place in the provided vase (or a stable container) with fresh tap water and keep in a cool, air-conditioned room overnight.
  • Place bouquets in a vase or container of fresh water with their stems fully submerged. If water vials or water bags were included, keep them filled.
  • Do not refrigerate flowers in a standard household fridge — the temperature is too cold and the ethylene from stored fruit and vegetables will damage the blooms. Floral refrigerators are different; a home fridge is not suitable.

On the Wedding Day

  • Keep bouquets in water right up until you need to carry them. Remove from water, give the stems a quick pat dry with a cloth, and hold at a comfortable angle to avoid crushing the blooms.
  • Carry the bouquet at waist level, tilted very slightly forward. If there is no strict front or back — pins should face inward (towards you), the flowing ribbons (if any) - outwards, they are the front of the bouquet.
  • During breaks between photography sessions and the ceremony, return bouquets to water or keep them in a cool, shaded area. In Singapore’s climate, flowers can start wilting within 2 hours when out of water — have a helper or coordinator manage this.
  • Do not leave flowers in a hot or stuffy car, even with windows slightly open. Heat builds quickly and will cause wilting far faster than being out of water.
  • Handle blooms gently — flower petals bruise easily when touched repeatedly. Avoid squeezing the bouquet tightly or pressing petals with your fingers during photos.
  • If you are doing a bouquet toss, use a separate toss bouquet rather than your bridal bouquet to preserve the original.

Buttonholes, Corsages & Hair Flowers

  • Store in a cool room until needed. Keep them in the water vial or box that they arrived in, until you need them.
  • Pin buttonholes to clothing as close to the ceremony time as possible to minimise time on the body, where heat and movement can accelerate wilting.
  • Hair flowers and floral crowns should be fitted as close to the event as possible. Body heat and hairspray can shorten their lifespan — avoid spraying products directly onto the blooms.


For any concerns about your flowers, please contact us at hello@gatheredandstyled.com on the same day as delivery.