What is the meaning of flowers

Here’s a compilation of our best flower care advice to make sure you know how to take care of flowers and plants:

How to care for roses:

• Your roses are thirsty and need to drink water for 8-12 hours to perk up. With proper care, your roses will bloom over the next few days.
• If your roses have been out of water for 15 minutes or more, cut 2 cm's off the stems, at an angle to increase its intake of water. Be sure to use a sharp knife or scissor and avoid smashing or piercing the stem.
• Remove any discoloured petals on the flower’s outer edge and any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Fill a non-metal vase with water and add 1 packet of flower food .
• Re-cutting the stems every 2 or 3 days will lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• For the longest life, keep your roses away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.

View our full range of roses


How to care for a rose bush:

• Soak its entire root zone in water at least twice a week in dry summer weather. Be careful not to drown it, as it doesn’t like sitting in water.
• It needs a good drainage system to bloom at its best.
• It needs a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight a day. If it doesn’t get enough sunlight, it will slowly die over time.

View our rose bush range


How to care for sunflowers:

• Sunflowers follow the direction of the sun throughout the day. And because they have arched necks, they look best in tall, narrow non-metal vases.
• If your sunflowers have been out of water for 15 minutes or more, cut a few cm's, at an angle off the stems so there's a little bit of stem that shows above the rim of the vase. Be sure to use a sharp knife or scissor and avoid smashing or piercing the stem.
• Remove any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Fill a non-metal vase with water and add 1 packet of flower food.
• Re-cutting the stems every 3 or 4 days will lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• For the longest life, keep your sunflowers away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.

View our sunflower range

How to care for tulips:

• Tulips naturally bend towards sources of light so your tulips may already have a gentle arc and tendency to lean over the edge of the vase. They also grow in water and drink water from the entire stem!
• Because your tulips arrived in a vase, we've already added in some flower food so no need to re-cut them.
• Remove any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Every 3 days, re-cut the stems to lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• Because Tulips grow in water, be sure to only fill the vase with water that's 5cm high or they'll become top heavy and collapse. Remember to top up the water every day though.
• For the longest life, keep your Tulips away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.
• There a few NetFlorist myths about tulips and maybe you could try it out: (just let us know if it does work)
• When your tulips begin hanging over, cut their stems quite a bit and put a copper coin into their water- apparently the copper draws them back to life
• When they start hanging, you can also stick a pin through their head to shock them back to life.

View our range of tulips

How to care for an irises:

• Our Irises may arrive as a tight bud, but they will open quickly and mature in a day or two.
• Their vase life is quite short so keep water their water levels full and bacteria free for a wonderful vase life
• If your irises have been out of water for 15 minutes or more, cut 2 cm's off the stems, at an angle to increase its intake of water. Be sure to use a sharp knife or scissor and avoid smashing or piercing the stem.
• Remove any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Fill a non-metal vase with water and add 1 packet of flower food.
• Re-cutting the stems every 3 or 4 days will lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• For the longest life, keep your irises away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.

View our range of irises

How to care for lilies:

• Our lilies are so fresh, most of them haven't even bloomed yet, allowing you to enjoy them burst open into a magnificent display of colour. Remember that lilies have pollen though so be careful not to get any on your clothing or furniture.
• If your lilies have been out of water for 15 minutes or more, cut 2 cm's off the stems, at an angle to increase its intake of water. Be sure to use a sharp knife or scissor and avoid smashing or piercing the stem and remember to handle them with care as lilies bruise easily.
• Remove any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Fill a non-metal vase with water and add 1 packet of flower food.
• Re-cutting the stems every 3 or 4 days will lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• For the longest life, keep your lilies away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.
• As the lily opens, you can remove their anthers to avoid getting the pollen on yourself or your furniture

View our range of lilies

How to care for gerbera daisies:

• Gerbera stems are highly susceptible to bacteria blockage, causing their heads to droop so be sure to change their water often and replenish their flower food every 1-2 days.
• If your gerbera daisies have been out of water for 15 minutes or more, cut 2 cm's off the stems, at an angle to increase its intake of water. Be sure to use a sharp knife or scissor and avoid smashing or piercing the stem.
• Remove any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Fill a non-metal vase with water and add 1 packet of flower food.
• Re-cutting the stems every 3 or 4 days will lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• For the longest life, keep your gerbera daisies away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.

View our range of gerbera daisies

How to care for carnations:

• Be sure to keep your carnations free of ethylene producing materials (fruits, vegetables and decaying floral materials) for best results. When properly cared for carnations can last 7-14 days, depending on variety.
• If your carnations have been out of water for 15 minutes or more, cut the stems just above one of the nodes that run up the flowers stalk, at an angle to increase its intake of water. Be sure to use a sharp knife or scissor and avoid smashing or piercing the stem.
• Remove any foliage or petals that fall below the waterline.
• Fill a non-metal vase with water and add 1 packet of flower food.
• Re-cutting the stems every 3 or 4 days will lengthen their life. After doing this, clean the vase before refilling it with new water and add more flower food. If you've run out of flower food, you can make your own, just see our secret recipe below.
• For the longest life, keep your carnations away from direct sunlight, heat, air-conditioning units and drafts.

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How to care for lavender:

• Lavender needs full sun for at least 6 hours per day. Full throttle!
• They need excellent drainage like rock gardens & raised beds –preferably lots of stone.
• Lavender needs space! 4 inch pots grow into 3 foot diameter shrubs. Keep clear of any creeping ground cover, or weeds, of course. And make sure the lavender has enough space around it for when it grows much larger.
• Prune Annually Leave 2-3 inches of soft green. Do not cut into the hardwood. Prune around Valentine’s Day or after the coldest part of the winter.
• Lavender prefers soakings every 7-10 days. 1 inch of rainfall weekly is perfect.

View our range of lavender plants

How to care for an orchid :

• The Phalaenopsis Orchid does well indoors in good indirect light conditions. Remember to keep them out of the direct sunlight but placing them in the shade of trees in summer is beneficial to your orchid.
• Generally speaking the Phalaenopsis orchid does best in a cool environment as it guards against dehydration. They are most happy at temperatures below the comfort level of humans, especially at night.
• The Phalaenopsis Orchid thrives in humid environments so be sure to locate it in the most humid place as possible. Remember to keep the orchid away from wind, gas, heaters or any equipment that dries the air as it robs the orchid of humidity.
• Take care not to over water your orchid or let them stand in water. The Phalaenopsis orchid is epiphytic meaning that it grows on other plants or materials rather than in the soil. It should not be allowed to soak in water because they don't do this in their natural environment. You should water it on a weekly basis when it's nearly 80% dry from the top, allowing it to drain and tossing out any excess water.
• If your Orchid has stopped flowering, cut the stem above the 2nd node and place it in a cool, dark, humid room (like the bathroom) so it can get cool induction for 3 months. After 3 months, return it to its normal place and water as per usual.

View our range of orchid plants

How to care for hydrangeas:

• Although hydrangeas can tolerate dry conditions for quite some time, they need a generous amount of water to perform at their best.
• A good drainage hole in its pot is required for roots to stay fresh.
• Water deeply until water runs through its drainage system, and if it looks even slightly wilted, water immediately.
• The Hydrangea blooms best in full sun and becomes slightly unattractive with too much shade. Make sure to water enough while in the sun, or else its blooms will scorch and leaves will sag.

View our range of hydrangeas

How to care for Cymbidium Orchids:

• Water evenly, every second day.
• In warmer months, more watering may be required.
• Its roots need air to grow so if you over water, they will die.
• Medium to high light is required to bloom, but don’t put directly in the sun.
• The cymbidium orchid can handle chilly conditions.

View our range of Cymbidium Orchids

How to care for a pot plant:

• If soil is dry to the touch, it needs some water.
• Be careful not to over water or let pot plant stand in water, as this might make it lose its beautiful blooms.
• Don’t water leaves as the water that sits on them might kill it.
• Although it’s not good to let stand in a drought, good ventilation is required. If you keep the pot plant in a low temperature, its flowers will last longer!
• Natural, but not direct sunlight, helps it grow.
• Replant the plant when it gets too big for the pot, or if you want the plant to grow bigger.

View our range of potted plants

How to care for a bonsai:

• If soil is dry to the touch, it needs some water.
• Never let soil dry out completely. If in direct sunlight, the bonsai may need water once a day.
• Do not disturb soil when watering it, use a watering can or soft spray. Water until it begins running through the bottom of the pot.
• In the warmer months, place outside in the morning sun and afternoon shade. In colder months, bring inside.
• The bonsai likes to sit on windowsills and get four to six hours of sunlight per day.

View our range of bonsai trees

How to care for a calla lily:

• Always keep its planting mix moist but not drowning as its bulbs may rot.
• When the tips of its leaves go dark, it is a sign of overwatering.
• Place indoors preferably. You can put it in a bright room but not in direct sunlight.

View our range of calla lilies

How to care for a cyclamen:

• Only water when soil is visibly dry, but don’t leave in this dry state for too long.
• Water it from below its leaves, and don’t water its stem or leaves as this can cause it to rot. Make sure any excess water drains away from the roots.
• The cyclamen likes to grow in a cool, humid environment. Temperatures that are too high will cause it to go yucky and yellow and its beautiful blooms will fade rapidly.

View our range of cyclamen plants

How to care for a poinsettia:

• Water thoroughly but take care not to drown it.
• Make sure it can be drained, but remember that it likes plenty of moisture!
• It loves semi-cool, humid locations indoors in bright indirect light.

View our range of poinsettias

How to care for a lily plant:

• Only water when the top layer of its soil is dry. If it is, water thoroughly and check on it every day to gauge if it needs more water or not.
• It needs plenty of light but does not like direct sunlight. Its blooms will open faster when it is hot so in order to enjoy it for longer, keep it in cool conditions.
• It will be happy on your balcony or patio.

View our range of lily plants

How to care for a guzmania:

• Place filtered water in its central cup and replace it frequently to keep it from rotting.
• Keep potting mix moist during warm months. A light mist daily will keep it looking beautiful.
• It likes low light and hates direct sunlight. The guzmania is a tropical plant so humidity is its friend.

View our range of guzmania plants

How to care for a succulent plant:

• When watering, do not drown daily! Only water once a week when soil looks dried out.
• The succulent is sturdy and flexible but it does not need direct sunlight. It needs just enough light, shade and airflow as it is very important for the succulent to grow.
• Best placed on a windowsill.

View our range of succulents

How to care for a cactus:

• When watering, do not drown daily! Only water once a week when soil looks dried out.
• The succulent is sturdy and flexible but it does not need direct sunlight. It needs just enough light, shade and airflow as it is very important for the succulent to grow.
• Best placed on a windowsill.

View our range of cacti

Secret flower food recipe:

• 1 Tablespoon of sugar (to energise your flowers)
• 1 Teaspoon of bleach (to kill and clean any bacteria)
• 1 Teaspoon vinegar (to shock your flowers back to life)
• 2 litres of water
• Mix the above together and add the necessary amount to your flowers for a longer life.