Caring for Australian Native Flowers: Waratahs, Banksias & Beyond
Start Right When You Bring Them Home
Australian native flowers are hardy out in the wild, but once they’re cut and brought inside, they still need proper care. Doesn’t matter if it’s Waratahs, Banksias, Kangaroo Paw, or Waxflower—they’ll last longer if you do a few simple things early on.
First, don’t wait too long to get them in water. As soon as you get them home, give the stems a fresh cut. Not straight across—cut them on an angle. It helps them soak up water better. You don’t need fancy scissors, just make sure they’re sharp so you don’t crush the stems. Also, pull off any leaves that’ll end up sitting in the water. Leaves in the vase make the water go slimy fast.
If the water smells or looks murky, change it. Rinse the stems too. Clean water every couple of days goes a long way, especially with natives.
Where You Put Them Makes a Difference
A lot of people pop flowers on the kitchen bench or windowsill without thinking about it, but where you place them actually matters. Don’t put your vase in full sun or right near a heater. Natives don’t like direct heat once they’re cut. A cool, shady spot is better. Also keep them away from fruit—yep, seriously. Fruit gives off gas that makes flowers wilt quicker.
If you’ve got Waratahs, they can be a bit fussier than other natives. They like more water, so check the level every day or two. Banksias are more forgiving. They hold their shape longer and even look great when they start to dry out a bit.
Some Flowers Fade Quicker Than Others
It’s normal for a few stems in a mixed bunch to start fading before the rest. Just pull them out if they’re looking tired. Leaving wilting flowers in the vase messes with the others, especially if the water’s not fresh.
If you’ve got Leucadendrons, Billy Buttons, or Everlastings, you’ll probably notice they hang on the longest. They’re great for filling out a bunch and can even be kept for drying later.
Banksias are solid too. They dry out nicely and don’t fall apart straight away. You can get a week out of most natives if they’re fresh and looked after, sometimes more. A local florist in Sydney will usually use the good stuff—flowers that haven’t been sitting in a fridge for a week already.
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Dry Them Out Instead of Throwing Them Away
One of the best things about native flowers is that you don’t always have to chuck them once they’re done. You can dry them out and keep them as part of your home. Just tie them together with string and hang them upside down somewhere dry—not in the sun. A dark hallway or back room works fine. Give it a week or two and they’ll be ready to pop in a vase again, just without the water.
Banksias and Everlastings dry well. Waratahs can be dried too, but they don’t always hold their colour as nicely. Still worth trying if you don’t want to waste them.
Dried natives can last months. They don’t need water or much looking after, and they still add colour to the room. It’s a good way to get more out of the bunch, especially if it was a gift or for a special occasion.Contact us if you need any information on how to send flowers to Dulwich Hill.
