7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (2024)

It's still the heart of summer, and in gardens everywhere, many varieties of flowers are in full bloom. Do you love to grow flowers and cut a bunch to spruce up your dining table? Or do you like to grab a bouquet on your weekly grocery run? You probably also want to know exactly how to make that stunning spray last as long as possible—so you can get the most bang for your buck or use of your garden bounty.

Thankfully, there are methods out there that can extend the life of your cut flowers and arrangements, so we spoke with a professional florist to get all the best tips on how to make flowers last longer.

Meet the Expert

Arissa DeFrancesca is a professional florist at Bank of Flowers.

  • 01 of 07

    Cut Your Stems

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (1)

    This is the first step for any arrangement, especially if you grabbed some flowers at the store.

    Arissa DeFrancesca, a professional florist at Bank of Flowers, says, "I view caring for flowers like caring for yourself. They need water and food just like you. They like showers just like you. They need haircuts just like you."

    In this case, she says of that all-important "haircut" that cutting the bottom of your stems off is "huge." In particular, cut at an angle when possible. Most flower varieties absorb water through their stems, so they'll last longer if they have more space to drink up.

  • 02 of 07

    Remember Fresh Water Is Key

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (2)

    DeFrancesca says fresh water is also a must. Once you fill a vase and set your flowers out, don't ignore them. If you do, they will die much sooner. Change out their water every couple of days and opt for cooler water—they won't like heat. Remember to only fill your vase two-thirds of the way.

  • 03 of 07

    Treat Each Flower Individually

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (3)

    DeFrancesca says it's important to expect each flower's life expectancy to be different. Different varieties of flowers last different lengths of time once cut and react differently to being separated from their plant and in an arrangement. Plus, if you buy flowers at the store, you don't know how long ago they were cut. Some flowers may last a few days, others a couple weeks.

    Keeping this in mind, she urges that as your arrangement ages, if one or two flowers start looking wilted, it's okay—and even for the best—to remove the dying ones and let the others thrive.

  • Keep It Cool

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (4)

    Most flower shops keep their flowers in a fridge-like temperature to increase longevity, according to DeFrancesca. And while you're not going to put your beautiful cut flowers or bouquet into your fridge at home, you can still get more life out of them by putting them in a cooler spot in your home.

    If you have a breezy area or air-conditioned room, this is the best spot for them. At the very least, keep them away from direct sunlight, radiators, and other heaters.

    Continue to 5 of 7 below

  • 05 of 07

    Be Leaf-Adverse

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (5)

    While adding greenery to a bouquet helps bring it to life and make a more dynamic look, leaves on individual flower stems are a cut flower no-no. If there are leaves or greenery on the stems of flowers in your vase, remove them all, especially any that touch the water or the petals.

  • 06 of 07

    Use Flower Food

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (6)

    DeFrancesca says the packets of "flower food" that come with many purchased flowers can help extend the life of your flowers a bit. However, it'll do the most if used sparingly. Add a bit every time you change out the water in your arrangement rather than dumping it all at once.

  • 07 of 07

    Help Your Hydrangeas

    7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (7)

    One immensely popular flower you're likely to come across if you're shopping for flowers or even choosing options for your own garden is hydrangeas. Bright and bold in a range of colors, they look almost fake in their picture-perfect beauty.

    When it comes to these popular blooms, you'll make them happiest by misting the petals with water. While they can drink through their stems, they prefer to hydrate via the petals and will keep fresh for a while if you give them a daily spritz.

How to Harvest, Dry, and Store Flowers

7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer (2024)

FAQs

7 Ways to Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer? ›

Add more flower food every two to three days after changing the water. In a pinch, bleach can act as a preservative. "If you're busy or forgetful, adding a few drops of bleach to a vase will help extend the life of your stems since it slows the growth of bacteria," Stembel says. You can also make your own flower food.

What makes a flower last the longest? ›

Add more flower food every two to three days after changing the water. In a pinch, bleach can act as a preservative. "If you're busy or forgetful, adding a few drops of bleach to a vase will help extend the life of your stems since it slows the growth of bacteria," Stembel says. You can also make your own flower food.

Does sugar help flowers last longer? ›

Sugar increases fresh weight of the flowers and prolongs the vase life. Use 0.5 - 1% Floralife (concentration of sugar not specified). 2% sugar solution doubles the vase life of the cut inflorescence. Some sugar in the vase solution increases the number and size of open flowers as well as prolongs the vase life.

What are 3 home remedies for increasing vase life of fresh cut flower bouquets? ›

Expert Tips for Long-Lasting Bouquets
  1. No foliage in the water. When you put your flowers into a vase, there should be no foliage below the water line. ...
  2. Use a squeaky-clean vase. Wash your vase with soapy water and rinse it well. ...
  3. Make clean cuts. ...
  4. Condition the flowers. ...
  5. Keep them cool. ...
  6. Refresh the water. ...
  7. Edit as needed.

Does salt make flowers last longer? ›

In addition to its anti-bacterial characteristics, the inclusion of salt in the vase water provides nourishment through the flower stem — a straw that encourages the buds to bloom and supports the plant's overall health!

Does baking soda make flowers last longer? ›

If flowers are exposed to too high or low water acidity, they will die faster. Baking soda is ideal for cut blooms because it creates neutrality; it's not too acidic or alkaline. Ensure that you have a clean vase and water, remove any foliage beneath the waterline, and then add a teaspoon of baking soda into the water.

What liquid keeps flowers fresh the longest? ›

Vinegar. Some people say vinegar inhibits bacteria growth and the ideal thing to keep the bacteria away is to actually mix some sugar and vinegar together with the water in the vase before adding the flowers. The one-two punch of the sugar and the vinegar is an effective life-extending combo.

Does putting a penny in a vase help flowers? ›

The reason pennies are considered a smart way to keep flowers alive longer is because copper is a fungicide, so it naturally kills off those pesky bacteria and fungi that are trying to camp out in your flowers' vase and shorten the life span of your stems.

Does vinegar make flowers last longer? ›

The sugar helps feed the flowers the right nutrients to survive longer even after they are cut. The vinegar keeps the pH of the flowers balanced, preserving and prolonging their lifespan.

What is the best preservative for cut flowers? ›

Preservatives
  • 1 teaspoon sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon household bleach.
  • 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice.
  • 1 quart lukewarm water.
Mar 1, 2006

What can I add to flowers to keep them fresh? ›

Dissolve 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar per quart (liter) of warm water. When you fill the vase, make sure the cut stems are covered by 3-4 inches (7-10 centimeters) of the prepared water. The sugar nourishes the plants, while the vinegar inhibits bacterial growth.

How do you keep flowers fresh in a vase? ›

Regular Water Refreshment: Changing the vase water every two or three days is crucial. Fresh, clean water is the lifeline for cut flowers, helping prevent bacteria and keeping them hydrated. In hot weather, consider placing the arrangement in the refrigerator overnight to slow down aging and keep blooms crisp.

How do you revive a dying flower in a vase? ›

Take your wilted flower and snip the stem at an angle about 1 inch from the already cut end of the flower. 2. Add three teaspoons of sugar to the lukewarm water in your vase, and place the wilted flower in and let it sit. The sugar will perk them right up!

How do florists keep flowers alive? ›

Keeping the flowers at a cool temperature throughout the whole process is crucial. As flowers and their leaves contain 70% to 95% water, storing them at the correct humidity to keep them hydrated is also important. Extend their life by an additional eight days by having a humidity count of 80% in the storage room.

How do you keep flowers from rotting in a vase? ›

We guarantee our flowers stay fresh for 7 days, but our top three tips to make them last even longer? Cut your stems at an angle for maximum water uptake; keep your flower water fresh by replacing the water every few days, and; keep your fresh flowers out of direct sunlight or hot radiators.

Does vinegar make cut flowers last longer? ›

The vinegar keeps the pH of the flowers balanced, preserving and prolonging their lifespan. Step 1: Choose your beautiful flowers and cut them from the bottom of the stem at an angle. Cutting them at an angle helps the nutrients from your mixture reach the right places in the flower's stem and petals.

Does Hairspray make flowers last longer? ›

Hairspray helps prevent color fading and helps minimize any fallout from your dried bouquet, too.

How do you keep flowers fresh longer in the fridge? ›

To keep your bouquet strong and healthy, try this super-simple flower tip: Store the flowers in the refrigerator overnight. It'll help slow down the process of water loss and keep your blooms looking crisp. To store the flowers properly, fill a vase about ¾ full with water, and then put the flowers in the vase.

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