Place a bouquet of flowers in a vase It seems like a simple gesture, but the result is not always as expected. In many cases, some flowers wilt quickly while others remain fresh for days. As explained by the Spanish plant expert Clara Sanzthe problem is not in changing the water too little or in cutting the stems poorly, but in a biological factor that usually goes unnoticed.

Through her content on social networks, where she is known as @lamodernaruralshop, Sanz warns that not all flowers react the same once separated from the plant. In fact, treat everyone equally when placing them in a vase is one of the most common mistakes and the main cause of its premature deterioration.

Read also: Long live the rue plant: how to use the gardeners’ secret ingredient to always have it strong

Why flowers don’t last as long in a vase

According to the florist and popularizer, each species has different water needs. Some require constant hydration to avoid dehydration, while others suffer if the stem remains submerged for too long. When flowers with opposite demands are mixed within the same vase, imbalance is almost inevitable.

The result is usually visible in a few hours or days: softened stems, drooping flowers or petals that darken and wither prematurely. Therefore, the behavior of flowers when placed in a vase is directly related to their water consumption.

How much water does each type of flower need?

Clara Sanz classifies cut flowers into three large groupsaccording to the amount of water they need once placed in a vase:

• Flowers that need a lot of water: Hydrangeas lead this group, as they lose water quickly. Also included are lilacs, astilbe, sweet peas and lilium, although the latter is somewhat less demanding.
• Flowers with medium water needs: Roses and carnations do not require a full vase, but they do require clean, frequently renewed water. They usually combine well with flowers such as statice or paniculata.
• Flowers that need little water: Tulips, buttercups and anemones absorb water very quickly. If the level is high, the stems soften and bend, so it is advisable to use little water and top up little by little.

Mixing flowers from different groups in the same container is, according to the expert, one of the main reasons why bouquets fail from day one.

Read also: The favorite plant of gardeners and the trick that makes it bloom almost all year round

What happens when incompatible flowers are combined

When flowers with opposite water needs coexist, deterioration accelerates. Those that need a lot of water can wither if the level is low, while those that are more sensitive to excess begin to rot if the stem remains submerged for too long.

For this reason, Clara Sanz recommends group flowers according to their water consumption or, directly, prepare separate bouquets to prolong their freshness and prevent some from ruining others.