How to Make Your Cut Flower Last Longer

Arranging cut flowers is fun and rewarding, but many cut flowers die quickly because they are not given proper care. Here are some tips to help extend the lifespan and improve the health of your fresh-cut flowers.

Arranging cut flowers in your home is one of the most rewarding aspects of tending to a flower garden. Unfortunately, many cut flowers die very quickly because they are not given proper care.

Most people just accept that cut flowers don’t last very long. However, there are some tips you can take to extend the life of your fresh-cut flowers. Some simple tricks such as keeping the vase clean, or adding a bit of sugar to the water can add a lot of life to your spectacular blooms.

If you have some marvelous flowers to display and want to get the most out of them, then try following the tips in this article. Even just doing one or two of these tips can greatly improve the health of your flowers and extend their lifespan.

Use a Clean Vase

Always use a clean vase for your cut flowers. A dirty vase will carry bacteria that may spread to your flowers and decrease their life span. This can be avoided by cleaning your vase thoroughly with soap and water well before you begin to arrange your flowers.

Along with cleaning, you should also ensure that the vase you use is the proper size for the flowers you wish to showcase. A well-sized vase allows you to create a more visually appealing display while making sure each flower has access to an adequate amount of water.

Cut Stems Diagonally

What many people forget when arranging cut flowers is that they should cut the stems before placing them in a vase. Cutting the stems will help your flowers collect all the water they need to prolong their vitality.

However, the way you cut your stems matters too. You should cut the stems diagonally as this increases the surface area of the stems, which means that they can absorb more water.

Prune Your Cut Flowers

Most gardeners believe that pruning is a task exclusive to tending outdoor plants. However, that could not be further from the truth. In fact, pruning your cut flowers will go a long way towards increasing their longevity. By removing dead and damaged parts of your flowers, your flowers will be able to focus their energy on new growth. This will not only make them look more attractive, but also help them survive a bit longer.

Furthermore, you should always remove any leaves or petals that have become submerged in the water. This will reduce the likelihood that your cut flowers will contract a fungus or another disease.

Find the Ideal Location for Your Cut Flowers

Finding the right location for your flowers will also play a significant role in how long they will last. At this stage, it is most important to avoid a few specific settings that will be a detriment to your flowers. Do your best to keep your cut flowers away from:

Direct sunlight, air vents, radiators, and similar utilities can all cause your cut flowers to dry out prematurely. But what is more surprising is that placing your flowers near fruit will harm them as well. While fruits ripen, they emit an airborne substance called ethylene. Ethylene triggers the aging mechanism in flowers, which means they will begin to wilt more quickly than normal.

Store Flowers in a Cool Place at Night

Have you ever noticed that the flowers in a flower shop sit in an area where the air around them is very cool? That is because professional florists know those cool temperatures are best for preserving blooms. Take this knowledge to heart and find a way to store your cut flowers in a colder place.

A good approach to this tip is to store your flowers in a cold room at night. At times, it is permissible to put your cut flowers in the fridge at night. However, some fridges may be too cold for your flowers. Regardless, finding a cool place for nighttime storage will promote longevity.

Add Sugar and Bleach

An interesting practice to prolong the life of your flowers involves adding sugar and bleach to the water in your vase. The sugar will act as a food source for your flowers, while the bleach will help ward off any bacteria that could harm them.

There is no need to add excessive amounts of sugar and bleach. Just use a small amount of both in your cut flower’s water, and you can expect your flowers to last just a bit longer than you might expect.

Change Water Often

A final tip for improving the lifespan of your flowers is to replace their water regularly, preferably daily. Doing so will make it so that your flowers are never sitting in dirty water that could harm them. Clean water also keeps your vase clean, which further helps to keep your blooms vibrant and beautiful for as long as possible.