There is nothing better than enjoying a bouquet of freshly cut flowers in the home frequently, right?
It’s so hard to admire your stunning upstanding bouquet for a long time because just the next morning, you will find a puddle of petals disintegrating around the vase.
The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or pricey preservatives to make them last. We’ve rounded up 9 easy and inexpensive tips to help extend the life of your flowers so you can enjoy their beauty just a little longer.
Whether they’re straight from your garden or a local florist, these tricks are worth trying. Let’s dive in and keep those petals perky!
#1. Change The Water Often
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Changing the water frequently (two days at a minimum) is essential to keeping cut flowers fresh because the water has begun to change color, which indicates the presence of bacteria.
At the same time, you should scrub the vase to remove any harmful bacteria.
#2. Keep Flowers Out Of The Sun
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When grown in the garden, plants need plenty of direct sunlight to produce the energy required to make flowers. However, after cutting, if they are placed in the sun will only dry out quicker, with the flower heads wilting faster too.
That is the reason you should keep the flowers in the coolest part of your home, away from any direct sunlight.
#3. Vodka
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Vodka is one of the best ways to keep your flowers fresh longer because it performs an essential function that limits ethylene production. Ethylene is a gas that facilitates the ripening process, causing flowers to open and mature.
By adding a few drops of vodka to your vase water, you can slow down this process and preserve your flowers for a few more days. Also, it is believed to inhibit bacterial growth, keeping the water cleaner for longer.
#4. Using Soda
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Using soda to add to your vase to give a certain amount of sugar to feed the flowers, and the acidity causes the stems to draw up the water faster. Simply, add ½ a cup of soda to a full cup, depending on the size of your vase.
Keep in mind, soda also encourages bacterial growth, so it’s still important to change out the water often, adding soda each time.
#5. Apple Cider Vinegar and Sugar
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This easy mix works like magic to keep your flowers looking perky. The sugar gives them a little food, while the vinegar helps kill off bacteria that can cloud the water and shorten their life.
Just stir 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar into the vase water before adding your stems. Make sure to change the water every couple of days and repeat the mixture for the best results.
#6. Fridge
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Fridges will keep the flower heads cool to prevent drying and wilting.
So, by keeping your flowers cool overnight for a good eight hours, they will still look as good as the day you bought them, more than a week later.
#7. Pull Off Excess Leaves
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Too many leaves can shorten the life of your bouquet. When submerged in water, those extra leaves start to rot quickly and create bacteria that clog the stems. Strip off any foliage that would sit below the waterline in your vase.
This keeps the water cleaner for longer and helps your flowers stay vibrant. Do a quick leaf check every couple of days and pluck away anything that looks wilted or slimy.
#8. Cut The Stems Frequently
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After cutting and putting them in the water for a few days, the plant stems of flowers will be attacked by harmful bacteria.
To combat this phenomenon, always give the flowers an extra cut frequently to increase the surface area of the cut as well as allow the plant to take up more water to prolong their life.
#9. Bleach
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To prevent growth in your vase, you can also use bleach to combat bacterial growth. Bleach is recommended for a range of cut flower ailments, rotting stems, and cloudy water, but its bacteria-fighting properties are the number one benefit.
Simply adding a tiny amount of bleach to the water (less than a teaspoon), your water will stay clean and bacteria-free, leaving your flowers to thrive in a happy environment.
