How to Improve the Lifespan of Floral Arrangements
All good things must come to an end, and that includes your floral display. But that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye before it’s time. There are steps you can take to promote the lifespan of cut flowers to make them last days, even weeks, longer than you would otherwise expect.
1. Clean the Vase
Long-lasting flowers start with clean storage space. Wash each vase with diluted bleach water before beginning to remove bacteria that could quickly turn the water scummy. A drop or two of chlorine bleach in the water can help keep it microbe-free.
2. Remove the Lowest Leaves
Leaves submerged in water will rot quickly, so it’s best to trim them before setting up the display. However, keep thorns intact on roses, as removing them creates wounds that leak sugar and provide an access point for bacteria.
Immediately before placing stems in water, cut off the bottom inch at a 45-degree angle. This maximizes the amount of water they can take in to help them stay as fresh as possible.
3. Choose Your Display Space Carefully
Where you put cut flowers will dramatically affect their lifespan. Ideally, you want them in a cool, dark place that’s away from drafts and direct sunlight. Keep them several feet from windows and out of direct contact with AC or heating vents.
4. Water Immediately and Frequently
Keep cut flowers in water as much as possible, both while you’re arranging them and immediately after they make it into the vase. Warm (but not hot!) water works best, as it encourages quicker intake up the stem.
Replace all the water in your vase every three days, or whenever it starts to look cloudy. You may want to reclean the vase at this point as well. If you’re using flower food, make sure you add some back into the fresh water.
Floral foam requires a slightly different treatment. Pour water over the foam every few days to keep it moist, or let it soak in a basin of water.
5. Keep the Stem Clean
When you’re changing out the water, inspect each stem and make a fresh diagonal cut an inch from the bottom. This ensures it can draw in plenty of water and keeps the stems looking their best.
6. Remove Wilted Flowers
Some flowers will start to show their age sooner than others. Remove wilting blooms as soon as you see them, as they will release a ripening hormone known as ethylene gas. This will speed up the life cycle for your other blooms and cause them to wilt just as quickly.
Note: Fresh fruit also produces ethylene gas and causes the same effect. Keep floral arrangements away from the kitchen (or at least fruit on the kitchen counter) to ensure it doesn’t get affected.
By following these six tips, you’ll get as much time with your cut flower display as possible. By the time it finally wilts, you’ll likely feel inspired to start designing a new one.