Some flowers and greens are especially vulnerable to heat and need extra care during warm weather, summer weddings, or any event where flowers will be out of refrigeration for extended periods.
Quick Tips for All Heat-Sensitive Flowers
- Keep flowers refrigerated or in a cool location (55–65°F / 13–18°C) until the last possible moment
- Never leave flowers in a hot car — even 15 minutes can cause irreversible wilting
- Recut stems and give flowers a long drink of cool water the night before your event
- Use floral cooler bags or coolers with ice packs when transporting to outdoor venues
- Mist arrangements lightly with water during your event if temperatures are high
- Keep arrangements out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources (vents, lamps, candles)
Most Heat-Sensitive Flowers by the Bunch
Anemones — Very High Sensitivity
Anemones are among the most heat-sensitive flowers we carry. They wilt rapidly in warm conditions and are best suited to cool-weather events.
- Keep refrigerated until the moment of use
- Avoid any venue where temperatures exceed 70°F (21°C) for extended periods
- Recut stems and place in ice-cold water the night before
- Mist frequently if used at a summer outdoor event
- Order 20–25% extra to account for heat losses in transit and at the event
Ranunculus — High Sensitivity
Ranunculus are a spring flower that wilts quickly in summer heat. Their delicate, layered petals are beautiful but fragile in warm conditions.
- Keep refrigerated right up until arranging
- Avoid direct sunlight — even brief exposure causes petals to wilt and burn
- Best suited to indoor, air-conditioned events in summer
- Recut stems and hydrate in cool water for several hours before use
Sweet Peas — High Sensitivity
Sweet peas are extremely delicate and wilt rapidly in heat. Best reserved for spring events or well air-conditioned indoor venues.
- Keep refrigerated and only remove from cold storage minutes before arranging
- Recut stems with a very sharp knife and place immediately in cold water
- Avoid any arrangement that will sit in direct sun or near heat sources
- Mist frequently — sweet peas lose moisture rapidly through their petals
Hydrangeas — High Sensitivity
Hydrangeas are famously thirsty and wilt dramatically in heat. They absorb water through their petals as well as their stems.
- Recut stems and smash the bottom inch to maximise water uptake
- Keep in deep, cool water and mist blooms every hour at outdoor summer events
- If hydrangeas wilt, submerge entire blooms in cool water for 30–60 minutes — they often revive completely
- For summer outdoor events, consider conditioning them in a cooler with ice packs nearby
Peonies — Moderate-High Sensitivity
Peonies are a spring flower sensitive to heat. Once open, they deteriorate quickly in warm conditions.
- Refrigerate until the morning of your event
- Allow to open in cool conditions — warmth accelerates opening and shortens vase life dramatically
- For summer events, purchase peonies as tight buds and let them open slowly in air conditioning
- Avoid placing near windows, direct sun, or heat vents
Dahlias — Moderate-High Sensitivity
Dahlias have hollow stems that make water uptake inefficient, and they wilt more quickly than most flowers in heat.
- Keep refrigerated and only remove for arranging
- Sear stem ends in boiling water for 10–15 seconds before placing in cool water
- Change water daily — dahlias foul water quickly, especially in warmth
- Not ideal for outdoor summer ceremonies lasting more than a couple of hours
Hyacinth — Moderate-High Sensitivity
Hyacinths are a spring bulb that deteriorate quickly in heat. Their heavy, fragrant blooms wilt and drop florets rapidly when warm.
- Keep in just 2–3 inches of cool water — the stems rot if deeply submerged
- Best suited to cool indoor venues
- Avoid summer outdoor events — heat causes rapid deterioration
- Note: hyacinth sap can irritate skin — wear gloves when handling large quantities
Tulips — Moderate Sensitivity
Tulips continue to grow and move after cutting. Heat accelerates this and causes drooping and rapid petal drop.
- Keep in a cool, dark location right up until the event
- Place in just 3–4 inches of water — tulips take up more water than most flowers
- Avoid direct sunlight — tulips are phototropic and will bend dramatically toward any light source
- For summer events, use fully budded tulips (not yet open) so they last through the day
Iris — Moderate Sensitivity
Iris open quickly in warmth and the individual blooms are short-lived. Heat accelerates this significantly.
- Buy in tight bud and keep cool to control opening timing
- For summer events, use as a bud so blooms open progressively through the day
Lilies — Moderate Sensitivity
Once open, lily blooms deteriorate faster in heat. Pollen also falls more readily in warm conditions, staining surfaces and fabrics.
- Remove pollen-laden stamens as soon as buds open — lily pollen stains permanently
- Keep in cool water and away from direct sunlight
- For summer events, purchase lilies in bud and allow them to open in air conditioning
- Note: lily pollen is toxic to cats — keep away from pets
Lisianthus — Moderate Sensitivity
Lisianthus petals are delicate and bruise easily in heat. The blooms wilt and the petals collapse in warm, dry conditions.
- Keep refrigerated and mist lightly during warm events
- Avoid dry, hot venues — lisianthus needs humidity as well as cool temperatures
Freesia — Moderate Sensitivity
Freesia are fragrant and delicate. Heat causes the florets to open too rapidly and shortens vase life significantly.
- Keep cool to slow opening — warmth causes all buds to open at once and deteriorate quickly
- Best suited to indoor, air-conditioned summer events
Godetia — Moderate Sensitivity
Godetia petals are papery and thin, making them prone to wilting and burning in direct sun or heat.
- Keep refrigerated and only remove for arranging
- Avoid any arrangement that will be in direct sunlight
Scabiosa — Moderate Sensitivity
Scabiosa are airy, delicate blooms that wilt quickly when dehydrated or warm.
- Keep in cool, clean water and recut stems regularly
- Best suited to cooler venues or shaded outdoor settings
Heat-Sensitive Greens
Jasmine Vine — High Sensitivity
Jasmine vine wilts extremely quickly out of water and in heat. The delicate foliage and small flowers drop rapidly.
- Keep in cool water until the last possible moment
- Only use for arrangements that will be assembled and displayed immediately
- Mist frequently — jasmine loses moisture rapidly through its foliage
- Not suitable for outdoor summer events lasting more than 1–2 hours
Hop Vine — High Sensitivity
Hop vine is beautiful for rustic and garden-style arrangements but wilts quickly in heat.
- Keep refrigerated and mist the foliage right before use
- Best for indoor events or shaded outdoor venues
- Condition overnight in a cool location before your event
Hosta — Moderate-High Sensitivity
Hosta leaves wilt quickly when out of water, especially in warmth. The large leaves lose moisture rapidly.
- Submerge entire leaves in cool water for 30–60 minutes before use to fully hydrate them
- Keep stems in cool water and recut regularly
- Avoid direct sun — hosta leaves burn and curl at the edges in direct sunlight
Olive Branches — Moderate Sensitivity
Olive branches are relatively hardy but the foliage can dry and curl in heat and low humidity.
- Mist foliage regularly in warm or dry conditions
- Keep stems in water — olive branches drink more than you might expect
Dill — Moderate Sensitivity
Fresh dill wilts quickly in heat and has a short window of use once out of refrigeration.
- Keep refrigerated until the last moment
- Recut stems and place in cool water before use
- Best used for short-duration events or cooled indoor venues
Nandina — Lower Sensitivity
Nandina is relatively hardy but berries can drop in extreme heat and foliage can wilt if stems are not well hydrated.
- Keep stems in water and recut every 2 days
- Mist foliage in very hot conditions
- Generally suitable for summer events if well-conditioned in advance
Dusty Miller — Moderate Sensitivity
Dusty Miller's silvery foliage is striking but loses its crisp appearance quickly in heat and humidity. The velvety leaves wilt and become limp when dehydrated.
- Keep stems in cool water and recut regularly
- Avoid misting the foliage — the velvety texture holds moisture and can develop spots or mould in humid conditions
- Store in a cool, dry location rather than a humid refrigerator
- Best suited to dry, cool conditions — use sparingly at outdoor summer events
- Condition overnight in a cool location before use
Maidenhair Fern — High Sensitivity
Maidenhair fern is one of the most delicate greens available and wilts dramatically if it dries out even briefly. It is extremely sensitive to both heat and low humidity.
- Keep stems in cool water at all times — even a few minutes out of water in warm conditions causes irreversible wilting
- Mist fronds generously and frequently — maidenhair absorbs moisture through its delicate fronds as well as its stems
- Never leave out of water at a summer outdoor event
- Arrange at the last possible moment and keep a mist bottle handy throughout the event
- Not recommended for outdoor summer events where temperatures exceed 75°F (24°C)
General Tips for Summer & Outdoor Events
- Assemble arrangements as late as possible — don't build them the night before if they'll sit in heat
- Use floral foam sparingly in summer — it dries out quickly in heat, starving stems of water
- Provide a misting station — a spray bottle of cool water lets you refresh arrangements throughout the event
- Shade your flowers — even heat-tolerant varieties last significantly longer out of direct sunlight
- Consider your venue timing — flowers arranged at 8am for a 4pm outdoor event in summer need to be exceptionally hardy varieties
- Call us — we're happy to advise on the best variety choices for your specific event conditions. Call (503) 445-2967