Stop throwing away wilted flowers you just bought. Here's how to make them last longer.
A beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers has long served as a symbol of affection, celebration and appreciation, or a sweet, simple way to make any space more inviting. And their versatility, affordability and beauty are why they continue to be a popular choice for gifts for all kinds of special occasions today. There’s just one problem: flowers don’t stay beautifully bloomed forever, especially once cut and arranged in a vase. Luckily there are plenty of trusted tips that can help make your flower arrangements last longer so they become the gift that keeps on giving, not a stinky, wilted mess. Here’s how to make flowers last longer and revive wilted flowers when they’ve started to fade.
Watch the video above to learn how to make flowers last longer.
How to make flowers last longer
- Always cut your stems at an angle before you put them in water. This increases the surface area of the stem that can absorb water.
- Pick off any leaves on the lower part of the stems that might touch the water inside the vase. This helps prevent bacteria from growing on them. Bacteria can block the xylem vessels in the stems of cut flowers, which prevents them from absorbing water and nutrients.
- Fill your vase with fresh, clean, lukewarm water.
- Add a dash of bleach to the water. Bleach will inhibit the growth of bacteria. If you’re of age, you can substitute vodka for bleach for the same effect.
- Add a pinch of sugar to provide the flowers with nutrients. Since they no longer receive nutrients from the soil, sugar acts as an energy source for the flowers and keeps their cells from wilting. Clear lemon-lime soda works well as a replacement for granulated sugar.
- Refresh the water every couple of days or if it starts to look cloudy to prevent bacteria from growing.
How to revive wilted flowers
- Empty and wash your vessel with soap and water.
- Replace the water in your vessel with fresh, lukewarm water to avoid further wilting.
- Before placing your flowers back in your vessel, wash and cut the stems again to keep bacteria at bay.
- Remove any decaying stems before returning the arrangement to the vessel. This will prevent them from passing harmful bacteria onto the other stems. Pluck decaying stems from your arrangement regularly to extend the life of the flourishing stems.
- Add a pinch of sugar to the fresh water. The food boost can help the flowers perk back up.
- Add a drop of bleach to the fresh water. This will help kill any remaining bacteria that linger.
- Keep the flowers in a cool, dark place. Direct sunlight and heat can cause flowers to wilt further.
- Avoid placing flowers near fruits or vegetables. Fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas, which can speed up the wilting process.
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