Flower & Plant Care Guide

How to Choose the Right Flowers

Not sure what to send? Use the guide below to choose the right flowers based on the occasion and delivery situation.

If sending flowers to a hospital

Choose a vase arrangement. Avoid heavily scented flowers and oversized designs. If scent sensitivity is a concern, choose low-fragrance blooms and avoid heavy lily-forward designs. Include the patient’s full name and room number when available.

If sending flowers to a funeral service

Choose a standing spray or funeral wreath. These are designed for placement near the service or tribute area and are delivered directly to the funeral home.

Shop sympathy & funeral flowers

If attending a cremation or memorial service

Choose a floral basket arrangement, wreath, or a low-profile table arrangement sized to display near an urn or remembrance table.

If sending sympathy flowers to a family’s home

Choose a vase arrangement or sympathy plant. These are appropriate for display after services and provide longer-lasting comfort.

If service timing is unknown

Choose a sympathy vase arrangement or plant. These are flexible and appropriate whether delivered before or after services.

Common Questions About Choosing Flowers

What flowers are appropriate if I’m unsure of the service details?

A sympathy vase arrangement or plant is the safest choice. These are appropriate whether delivered before or after services.

Are flowers appropriate for cremation or memorial services?

Yes. Floral basket arrangements, wreaths, and memorial arrangements are commonly chosen for cremation or celebration-of-life services.

Can flowers be sent directly to a funeral home?

Yes. Standing sprays, wreaths, and other service arrangements are delivered directly to the funeral home and placed by staff.

What should I send to a hospital?

Vase arrangements are recommended. Avoid heavily scented flowers and oversized designs, and include the patient’s name and room number when possible.

Care for Funeral & Sympathy Arrangements

Standing sprays and floral basket arrangements: Many sympathy designs are created in floral foam. Keep the foam damp by adding small amounts of water daily (avoid flooding).

Before the service: Keep arrangements in a cool room away from direct sun, heaters, and vents until the service time.

After the service: Families can take most pieces home. If you want to convert a foam-based arrangement into a vase display, call us and we’ll tell you the safest way to do it.

Lifespan at the service: Most standing sprays and sympathy arrangements remain fresh for 2–3 days during visitation and services when kept cool and properly watered.

Flower Arrangement Care

Two of the most common questions we hear: “How do I take care of them?” and “How long will they last?” With a little extra care, most floral arrangements last 4–7 days, depending on flower type and environment. Use these tips to keep your flowers beautiful:

For vase or foam arrangements: Keep the vase filled (or the floral foam soaked) with water that includes the provided flower food. If the solution becomes cloudy, replace it completely. When possible, re-cut stems by removing 1–2 inches with a clean, sharp knife. Use warm water when topping off.

Placement matters: Keep flowers in a cool spot (around 65–72°F), out of direct sunlight, and away from heating/cooling vents, ceiling fans, or warm appliances (TVs, radiators), which can dehydrate blooms.

For boxed or loose-wrapped flowers: If you can’t place them into water right away, keep them in a cool place. Fill a clean vase with water, add the flower food (per packet directions), and place stems into the solution as soon as possible.

Trim & prep: Remove leaves that would sit below the waterline (they promote bacteria). Recut stems under warm water so they draw water (not air) before returning them to the vase. For woody stems (e.g., forsythia, quince, lilac), use sharp pruners.

Common Problems & Quick Fixes

Flowers wilting in 1–2 days: Replace water completely, clean the vase, re-cut 1–2 inches of stem, and remove any leaves below the waterline.

Drooping roses: Re-cut stems and place them in clean water; keep them cool and out of drafts.

Cloudy water: Dump and replace immediately—bacteria shortens vase life.

Note for Acadiana: High humidity in Louisiana means flowers usually need less misting, but water quality matters more—bacteria can build faster in warm, humid conditions.

Common Questions About Flower & Plant Care

How often should I change the water in a vase arrangement?

If the water becomes cloudy, replace it completely. For best results, top off daily and refresh with clean water as needed to keep it clear.

Why are my flowers wilting after only a day or two?

This is usually caused by bacteria in the water, heat exposure, or stems that need to be re-cut. Replace the water, clean the vase, remove submerged leaves, and re-cut 1–2 inches from the stems.

How long do funeral flowers usually last?

Most fresh sympathy arrangements last about 4–7 days depending on flower type and the environment. Keeping them cool and hydrated helps extend their life.

Are any common houseplants toxic to pets or children?

Yes. Some plants listed on this page (including croton, cyclamen, dieffenbachia, and philodendron) are toxic if ingested. If you have concerns, keep plants out of reach and call us for safer alternatives.

General Plant Care

A plant is a wonderful gift—many will last for years (and even propagate) with proper care. Not sure what you received? Use our plant identifier tool here: Plant & Flower Finder.

⚠️ Pet & Child Safety: Some common gift plants are toxic if ingested, including croton, cyclamen, dieffenbachia, and philodendron. Keep out of reach and call us if you want pet-safe alternatives.

Plant-by-Plant Tips

African Violets

Bloom anytime; thrive in bright, indirect light (or fluorescent). Keep soil evenly moist—avoid overwatering. Remove spent blooms. Feed monthly spring–fall with a low- or no-nitrogen fertilizer.

Areca Palms

Bright, indirect light; outdoors in filtered light during summer is fine. Ensure good drainage; never let sit in water. Mist fronds occasionally; feed monthly.

Azalea

Full sun with rich potting soil. Keep soil on the wet side. Feed every two weeks during the growing season and remove spent blooms.

Boston Fern

Ideal for hanging baskets. Bright, indirect light; rich soil; frequent warm misting. Keep soil barely moist and feed weekly during growth.

Bromeliads

Bright, indirect light indoors; rich soil; keep evenly moist. Feed lightly about every 6–8 months. Often bloom in spring/early summer.

Croton

Full sun; pinch to shape. Keep soil barely moist; feed every two weeks when young. Safety: Croton is poisonous if ingested; keep away from children and pets.

Cyclamen

Bright, indirect light; cool temps. Active winter–spring; dormant in summer. Stop watering in late spring, resume late summer. Keep soil evenly moist while in growth; feed biweekly. Safety: Cyclamen is poisonous if ingested.

Dieffenbachia

Bright, indirect light; let soil become moderately dry between waterings. Safety: Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) is toxic if ingested.

Dracaena

Easy-care in bright, indirect light. Keep soil evenly moist; brown tips may indicate underwatering. Feed every two weeks in growth periods.

Gardenia

Fragrant but finicky: bright, indirect light; rich soil; evenly moist; frequent warm misting; avoid drafts. Feed biweekly; prune in early spring.

Gerbera

Full sun. Ensure crown sits above soil; excellent drainage. Let soil become moderately dry between waterings. Feed every two weeks in growth.

Hydrangea

Full sun; rich soil; keep evenly moist. Prune back hard in early spring. Feed every two weeks during growth (acid-loving fertilizer if needed).

Ivy

Bright, indirect light; keep soil evenly moist; occasional warm mist. Feed biweekly during active growth.

Kalanchoe

Succulent; full sun indoors; general soil with added sand. Avoid wetting leaves; don’t overwater. Feed twice a year (April & July).

Norfolk Island Pine

Bright, indirect light; avoid overwatering. Rotate for symmetry; outdoors in bright light during summer is fine. Feed biweekly; skip winter feeding.

Orchid (most common types)

Bright, indirect light; avoid cold drafts. Many are potted in moss—keep evenly moist but never soggy. Feed every two weeks in spring/summer with orchid fertilizer.

Peace Lily

Bright light; away from drafts. Drench soil, then allow to become moderately dry before watering again. Feed every two weeks in summer.

Philodendron

Bright, indirect light; climber if supported. Keep soil barely moist; feed every two weeks in growth. Safety: Philodendron is toxic if ingested.

Pothos

Thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light. Keep soil evenly moist; provide drainage. Pinch to maintain shape; feed every two weeks.

Schefflera

Full sun indoors. Drench, then let soil become moderately dry between waterings. Feed monthly spring–summer.