How Do I Make My Flowers Last Longer?

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Getting a bouquet of cut flowers is a special treat, so of course you’ll want to make them last as long as possible. They bring cheer, remind you of the person who sent them and brighten your décor. It’s not just a matter of making sure they have enough water—there are plenty of tips and tricks to help you get as much life out of your bouquet as possible.

Here’s how to make your flowers last longer in 77084:

  • Snip the stems: Once a flower is cut, the stem immediately starts closing up. This makes it difficult for your flower stems to suck up water from the vase, causing your blooms to dry or wilt more quickly. Using gardening shears or sharp scissors, cut each stem on the diagonal and immediately place in water. As your bouquet gets older, you can snip the stems again, especially if the bottoms start to look soft or mushy.
  • Keep the vase full of water: Your flower stems don’t just drink water from the snipped end of the stem—they also absorb it through the sides of the stems. Keep the vase as full of fresh, clean water as possible. If it starts to look cloudy, clean the vase and replace the water as soon as you can, about once every two to three days.
  • Feed your flowers: If your flowers came with a flower food packet, mix that with room temperature water in your vase, then replace the flowers. Flower food often comes with a bleach or acidic ingredient that keeps mold at bay, with sugar to give the blooms a little extra energy.
  • Prune the leaves: Leaves underneath the water line will get moldy and kill your flowers, so make sure to gently prune back any leaves that are underwater. Look for dead or loose leaves and petals to avoid bacterial rot.
  • Avoid direct sunlight, heat and drafts: Heat, direct sunlight and drafts are not friendly to cut flowers. Put your flowers in a room with cool temperatures, which won’t be affected by drafts from open windows, vents or fans, which can cause the flowers to dehydrate and wilt faster.
  • Try a folk remedy: There are plenty of strange-but-true methods people use to keep their cut flowers fresh. For example, placing a few coins in the bottom of the vase can cause them to bloom more quickly, while keeping them in the fridge at night (if you have room) is the best way to preserve them—your bouquet can last 10 days or more if you use this method. Another strange way to keep your bouquet looking fresh is to add a quarter cup of soda (choose a clear variety, like Sprite)—the sugar in the drink will feed your flowers.

Now that you know how to make flowers last longer in 77084, why not buy a bouquet for a friend and share the wealth? Its Just For You can create custom arrangements for your loved ones. Reach out today to learn more.