A beautiful flower arrangement can instantly add some cheer to any space. Its beauty leaves a lasting impression that lingers–although not for long. As with all the beautiful things that come to an end, cut flowers have to be discarded especially after it has wilted and dried.

If you have a choice, for sure you’d want to preserve the beauty of flowers you receive for as long as possible. After all, they hold not only their vibrant colors but also their sentimental value that is the very reason why you’re keeping them in the first place.

Though flowers are ephemeral by nature, there are ways to take care of flowers that can help extend their estimated vase life. Here are the tips on how to make flowers last longer.

11 Tips and Tricks to Keep Flowers Fresh Longer

1. Place the Flowers in a Clean Container

The bacteria and other microorganisms inside a dirty container can infect the flower and speed up its wilting process. Here’s another flower care tip: rather than drying the container with a towel, let it dry naturally.  

2. Use Vases with Wide Necks 

Containers with narrow necks can squeeze in the stems. Give your flowers some room to breathe in by opting for vases that have a wider neck and opening. 

3. Trim the Stems

Before you get too excited to insert your bouquet of flowers inside a container, be sure to cut the stems first. Take out your garden shears or a sharp knife and trim at a 45-degree angle, just an inch or two away from the base. The slant cut will help with the plant’s water absorption ability as compared to the ones that sit flat on the surface. Do this once every few days to keep your flowers fresh. 

 

Note: Since roses are vulnerable to bacteria and air bubbles, trim their stems under the water.

 

4. Put the Flowers inside the Vase Right After Cutting the Stems 

After cutting the stems, immediately submerge the fresh arrangement into its new environment. Otherwise, the flowers will suck up the dust and air from the surroundings. This can clog the ends of stems and can affect the plant’s water uptake. 

5. Remove All Lower Leaves

When submerged in water, the leaves have a tendency to rot faster, which could then result in a bacterial build-up that can damage the entire flower. To make flowers last longer, remove the foliage below the waterline. Make it a daily habit to check the blooms for loose and decayed leaves. Eliminate them immediately to prevent the bacteria from infecting the bouquet. 

The same is true with wilted flowers. As soon as you spot drooping petals, pluck them out immediately. 

6. Water the Flowers Properly

Just because you’ve filled a vase with liters of water does not mean your job is done. If you want to keep the flowers fresh for a longer period, you should observe proper means and requirements in hydrating plants. The water should neither be too hot nor extremely cold. Instead, room temperature is recommended. Regularly change out the water and flower food, ideally every after two to three days or as soon as it gets clouded. Also, don’t forget to thoroughly clean the container before you refill.  

7. Provide Flowers with Food

Like humans, blooms also need nutrition. To keep flowers fresh longer, you can either buy a packet of flower food or try making your own through concoction. The ingredients normally contain acid components, sugar, and antibacterial agents. 

The acid helps to prolong wilting and boost the flower’s ability to absorb water by minimizing the pH level. Lemons or pulverized vitamin C make great options for this component. Meanwhile, sugar gives nourishment and antibacterial agents keep the unwanted microorganisms at bay. 

 

Note: Avoid over concentrating or overdiluting the mixture.

 

8. Avoid Putting Flowers Near Heated Areas

Finding the perfect spot for your fresh-cut flowers is a game of ideal temperature hunt. Steer clear of places that are known to generate heat – be it through direct sunlight or appliance use. Avoid placing your bouquet near ceiling fans and window sills as well, since they can catalyze the flowers’ dehydration process. 

9. Keep Flowers away from Fruits 

Fruits and flowers may seem like a great pair, but if you want to make your bouquet last, it’s best to keep them distant from each other. The ethylene gas given off by ripening fruits can negatively affect the vase life of your flower arrangement. 

10. Separate Toxic Flowers 

Some flowers may not be exactly “friendly” to other species of blooms. For instance, fresh-cut hyacinths and daffodils release chemicals that can harm other plants. These toxic substances may spread in the water and ultimately hasten the death of other blooms. So the next time you’ll arrange your bouquet, you might want to reserve another container for flowers that can potentially kill their neighboring blooms. 

11. Add Flower Preservatives

You might not believe it, but some products and items that you can find in your household can do wonders in making flower arrangements last longer.

 

7 Household Items to Prolong the Life of Your Flowers

On top of these practical tips, there are also some clever ways to enjoy your flowers longer. Surprisingly, these tips need some items that have been lying around your house. Below are some of these household ingredients and the theory behind them.

• • Sugar – Sugar can provide nourishment to the plants. It can, however, promote bacterial growth into the water. In this case, you can use vinegar and vodka that serve as antibacterial agents.   
  • Vodka – Add a few drops of vodka to the water along with 1 tsp. of sugar. The alcohol can prevent the production of ethylene the sugar encourages.
  • Soda – Pour about ¼ cup of soda into the water. In theory, the sugar in the soda will serve as food for the flowers, making them last longer.
  • Aspirin – Throwing in a crushed aspirin may lower the pH level of the water thus, keeping cut flowers fresh longer. Replace the water every few days.
  • Bleach – Pour in a capful of bleach to the water. The bleach should prevent the growth of mold that can make the water cloudy.
  • Coins – Toss a coin into the water. The copper in coins is thought to act as an acidifier that can prevent bacterial growth. You can also add a cube of sugar to the water.
  • Hairspray – A sprinkle of hairspray is said to hold your flowers in place just as it does to your hairstyle. However, there isn’t much science to back this theory and most florists don’t recommend this method.

To sum up, the secret to keeping your cut flowers looking fresh as long as possible is to provide them nourishment and minimize the growth of bacteria altogether. These may not work to all kinds of situations but it’s still worth to give them a try.

Now that you have the best tips up your sleeves for prolonging the life of your bouquets, you’re now ready to find the perfect flower arrangement for you!

Looking to find breathtaking arrangements of flowers? At Flower Patch, you can find a bountiful of blooms that you would want to keep for long. We also offer free same-day flower delivery in Metro Manila!