Fresh cut flowers add beauty to any room. And, how you care for fresh flowers makes a big difference in how long they last. Whether you buy professionally designed arrangements from a flower shop or cut them from your yard, there are a few simple steps you can take to enjoy them a little longer.

A Clean Vase
If you purchase your arrangement from a reputable florist, your vase was clean before flowers were added.

According to the USDA, about 32 million poinsettias were sold in 2015 — close to $140 million at wholesale prices. That puts Poinsettias second to Orchids as the most popular potted flowering plant in the US. Although we generally think of Poinsettias during Christmas, if well cared for, they can last well beyond the holidays.

Did you know the “main attraction” of the Poinsettia are their leaves? The actual flowers are the yellow cluster of buds in the center.