Vase Life by Flower Type: Roses, Carnations, Hydrangeas, Chrysanthemums
A practical reference to expected vase life across the core commercial flowers — and the handling that protects it.
Vase life is the number your customer remembers. Here is a practical reference for the core commercial flowers — and, just as important, what protects those numbers in transit.
Expected vase life at a glance
- Carnations: among the longest of any commercial cut flower, commonly two weeks or more, and remarkably tolerant of long transit.
- Chrysanthemums: typically 14–21 days, which is why they anchor retail programs where product may sit before it is bought.
- Roses: commonly 12–14 days when cut at the right opening point and kept cold; head size and origin both matter.
- Hydrangeas: demanding but rewarding — strong vase life when hydrated properly, which is why they ship with vials or gel caps on request.
- Gypsophila: long-lasting and, treated well in post-harvest, resistant to premature floret drop.
Why the same flower can behave differently
Two boxes of the same variety can deliver very different vase life. The variables are the cutting point for the destination, how fast the flower was pre-cooled, whether the cold chain held to the airport, and how it was graded. None of those are visible in the box — which is why they have to be built into how the flower is sourced.
Handling that protects longevity
Cut at the correct opening stage for the market, pre-cool within hours, hydrate in the field and again at the packhouse, and keep the cold chain unbroken. Do that consistently and the vase life on this page is what your customer actually gets.
Want the current availability list with grades and expected vase life for your market? Ask us — we send it weekly.
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