Smilax Vine Care Instructions

Your Smilax will arrive compressed inside a black bag, packed within a box.

PLEASE OPEN AND CHECK YOUR VINES AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE.

1. Initial Check

Carefully open the box and then the black bag inside.

Check the condition of the vines immediately to ensure they haven't been exposed to extreme temperatures during transit.

Smilax is compressed into a bale to fit inside the bag. Gently reach into the middle of the bale and fluff the vines to allow air circulation.

Remove any ice packs (these are only used during periods of hot weather).

If the box feels warm when it arrives

If the box or bag feels warm when you first open it:

• Tip the entire bag of vines out, keeping the coils wrapped together.

• Water the vines using a hose or watering can.

• Allow the vines to get some air to release any trapped heat and to dry out a little after watering them

• If the inside of the bag has become damp from sweating, turn the bag inside out before placing the vines back inside.

• Once the vines have cooled, return them to the bag and continue with the normal storage instructions below.

If the vines are cool when they arrive, decompress and simply lightly mist with water and fold the top of the bag over without sealing it.

2. Storage Guidelines

• We suggest that you do not unroll the Smilax until you are ready to use it. It is difficult to re-pack once fully unrolled.

• Smilax does not require conditioning and can last up to two weeks without a water source when stored correctly.

• Store in a cool room or floral cooler, away from direct sunlight.

• Do NOT allow the vines to freeze.

• Never leave the box or bag in direct sunlight, as it can quickly overheat and damage the vines.

3. If You're Storing for Longer

• Store the vines in the bag and mist lightly as required.

• If storing for more than a few days, periodically open the bag to allow fresh air to circulate, particularly if condensation has built up.

• Gently remove the bale (without unrolling it), allow it to air briefly, then return it to the bag. Reversing the bag inside out can also help if moisture has collected - do this every few days to extend the life of the vines.

• The ideal storage environment is cool and slightly moist - never wet.

4. Reusing Vines

If bringing vines back from an event:

• Roll the vines back up as neatly as possible and return them to the bag.

• Lightly mist with water, fold the top of the bag over (do not seal it), and store in a cool place.

• If reusing over several days, allow the vines to breathe occasionally.

Understanding Smilax

Smilax behaves differently from most cut foliage.

If the vines become warm during transport, opening the box and allowing the trapped heat to escape will stop the heating process from continuing.

If you notice a few leaves have been affected by the heat, simply remove those leaves and rinse the vines with cool water. Once the vines have cooled, any remaining healthy green foliage will stay green and will not continue to deteriorate.

Removing the heat quickly is the key to preserving the quality of your Smilax and ensuring it performs as expected.