![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (1) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
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![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (4) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (4)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (5) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (5)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Flowers are a common gift for any of life’s special occasions and even the moments in between. A bouquet of bright blooms can bring cheer to any space and leave a lasting impression, even after they’re gone. Whether you’ve received ananniversary arrangement, agraduation bouquetor picked out a gorgeous bunch for the coffee table, you’ll want to enjoy them for as long as possible.
The sad truth is thatflower bouquetsdon’t last forever. On the bright side, there are guidelines and little known tips you can use to ensure the longevity of your flowers. We are uncovering everything you need to know about how to make flowers last longer and even putting a few theories to the test.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (6) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (6)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Flower Care Tips
The first step to making your flowers stay fresh longer is by following a few flower care guidelines.Use the tips below to to extend the life of your blooms from the start.
Cut the StemsOne of the most common mistakes people make after receiving flowers is forgetting to cut the stems. Use garden shears to trim one to two inches off and cut at an angle. Cutting the stems at an angle allows for better water intake since they aren’t sitting flat on the bottom of a vase. After the initial cut, be sure to re-trim your bouquet once every few days.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (7) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (7)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
PruneRemove any leaves below the water line. It will not only make your bouquet look better, but also prevent bacterial growth. Some flowers, like roses, have guard petals which are the two or three outermost petals of the flower. Removing these will allow your flower to open up fully. After your initial pruning, you should check your flowers daily for dead or loose leaves and petals in order to avoid bacterial rot.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (8) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (8)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Water WiselyIt’s not only important to get your bouquet hydrated, but to do so wisely. Your flowers won’t last long without water, especially once their stems have been cut. After picking out a clean vase, fill it with room temperature water and add in a packet of flower food. Make sure that the packet has been properly mixed and that the water is not too diluted or too concentrated. It’s also important to clean your vase thoroughly and change out the water and flower food every two to three days.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (9) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (9)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Avoid Direct Sunlight, Heat, Drafts and FruitYour flowers will last longer in a room with cool temperatures. Avoid displaying them in direct sunlight or near appliances that generate heat. You’ll also want to avoid areas like open windows, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans as they can cause the flowers to quickly dehydrate. You also shouldn’t display your bouquet near fruit. That’s right, ripening fruitsrelease tiny amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of your fresh arrangement.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (10) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (10)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
In addition to general care, people have also been experimenting with different ways to make flowers last longer. Think household remedies like adding pennies, aspirin and even vodka to your flower water.
9 Interesting ways to Make Flowers Last Longer
There’s no need to keep asking yourself how to make flowers last longer. Surprisingly, you might have a few things lying around the house that can help you enjoy your bouquets. Check out the interesting list of household remedies below:
Sure these theories sound convincing, but which ones actually improve the life of your bouquets?
We were curious too, so we put a few flower care strategies to the test. We took the nine most popular theories for how to make flowers last longer in a controlled environment, here’s what we found out.
The Setup
We started with nine of the sameProFlowers bouquets. In each vase, we added one ProFlowers flower food packet and lukewarm water. Then each of the vases received one of the following flower care tricks and there was one control vase that received no treatment. On day three, we changed out the water, cleaned the vase and added the same ingredients back in.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (11) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (11)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Check out what each of these tricks claim to do, how to make the concoctions yourself and what happened over the next seven days below:
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (12) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (12)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Apple Cider Vinegar and Sugar:Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water into a vase before adding your flowers. Vinegar acts as an antibacterial agent while the sugar acts as additional flower food. Although apple cider vinegar and sugar didn’t take the title as the worst result, it did come in a close second.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (13) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (13)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Aspirin:Mix 1 crushed aspirin into your vase of fresh flowers. Aspirin is said to lower the pH level of the water allowing it to travel through the flower faster, preventing wilting. Aspirin might be the solution to a head ache, but it’s not your best bet for keeping your flowers fresh.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (14) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (14)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Bleach:Add ¼ teaspoon of bleach to your vase of fresh flowers and they should stay fresh longer, at least that’s what they say. Bleach will keep your water from getting cloudy as well as help fight bacteria. The bleach did indeed keep the water in the vase from getting too cloudy although, it didn’t stand out in keeping the bouquet fresh.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (15) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (15)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Coins:Add a copper penny to your fresh bouquet. The copper should act as an acidifier, fighting the bacteria growth in your arrangement. On Day 4, the blooms with the copper penny opened up nicely. In fact, it may have caused the flowers to open too quickly resulting in a few wilting flowers by day 7.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (16) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (16)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Flower Food:Adding flower food to your vase of fresh flowers is a tried and true way to keep your blooms fresh longer. Each of our tested bouquets also received a packet of flower food along with their treatment.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (17) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (17)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Fridge:Put your bouquet in the fridge every night before bed (typically 8 hours per night.) Flowers are said to thrive in cooler temperatures. It is thought that the low temps help slow the aging. Looks like floral bouquets like to stay nice and cool. The bouquet that went in the fridge overnight came in first place and is the best way to make flowers last longer. This bouquet was looking healthy even on day 10.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (18) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (18)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Hair Spray:Spritz your fresh blooms with hairspray. There’s not much science to back this theory, but it holds your hair in place so it should work, right? Wrong. Whatever home remedy you decide to try to keep your flowers alive, it should not be spritzing the petals with hairspray. We recommend avoiding doing so at all costs. The hairspray came in last place being the worst way to make flowers last longer.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (19) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (19)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Soda:Pour ¼ cup of soda in a vase full of fresh flowers. The sugar in soda is said to make your blooms last longer and even smelling sweeter too. Looks like flowers enjoy some extra sweetness, the soda came in as our runner up trick to making flowers last longer. In fact, even on day 10 the soda bouquet was looking just as healthy as day 1 with the only difference being the flowers opening up more.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (20) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (20)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Vodka:Add a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit) to your vase of flowers. Vodka is said to have a different effect on flowers. The spirit’s ability to inhibit ethylene production, a ripening gas that helps plants mature, slows the wilting of the flowers. This proved true and although vodka didn’t take the cake as the best way to keep flowers fresh longer, it did come in as third runner up.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (21) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (21)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
The results are in! Ever wonder why florists keep their bouquets in the fridge? Well, now you know…
Looks like making sure your flowers are nice and chill is the best way to keep them fresh longer. You can also try adding a little lemon-lime soda to your water mixture. On the other hand, just because a spritz of hairspray will keep your hair in place doesn’t mean it will keep your bouquet of flowers fresh. In fact, we recommend avoiding the hairspray method altogether.
Now that you have some extra tricks up your sleeve for ensuring the longevity of your bouquets, you should try one out yourself! Browse our collection ofsame day flower deliveryand find the perfect bouquet for any celebration or surprise someone with flowers for no reason at all!
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Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
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Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
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There is something about the shade of blue that brings a sense of calmness and serenity. Our Beyond Blue bouquet is designed with billowing white blooms and pops of bold florals to deliver just the right sentiment for any reason.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (25) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (25)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (26) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (26)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (27) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (27)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
![How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (28) How to Make Flowers Last Longer: 9 Tricks | ProFlowers (28)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
FAQs
Freshly cut flowers will last longer if you add 1/4 teaspoon bleach per quart (1 liter) of vase water. Another popular recipe calls for 3 drops bleach and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 quart (1 liter) water. This will also keep the water from getting cloudy and inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Does sugar help flowers stay 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.
How do you keep flowers fresh for 10 days? ›
Maintain your flowers consistently.
Replace dirty vase water with fresh water and clean your vase every single day. Dirty water can lead to bacterial growth that will quickly bring on wilting. Re-cut your flower stems every two to three days to help them absorb water.
What do you add to water for flowers? ›
Step 1: Add 1 quart warm water to a clean vase. Step 2: Pour 2 Tbsp sugar into the water. The sugar will help nourish the flowers and promote opening of the blooms. Step 3: Add 2 Tbsp white vinegar and stir well.
How does salt make flowers last longer? ›
Process
- Collect your vases, salt, sugar, and water.
- Heat 1 cup of water and mix in the 2 tablespoons of sugar until the solvent is dissolved into the solute and pour (carefully) into the vase/jar.
- Heat another cup of water, mix the salt in thoroughly, and pour mixture into the vase (with caution)
Does lemon juice make flowers last longer? ›
Another vase solution can be made by mixing 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or bottled "Real Lemon", 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of bleach in a quart of warm water. Add another 1/4 teaspoon of bleach to the vase water every 4 days. * Use a container in proportion to the amount of flowers you are using.
Does a penny in water help flowers? ›
Dropping a copper penny into the vase. 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 putting aspirin in water help flowers? ›
Aspirin: Mix 1 crushed aspirin into your vase of fresh flowers. Aspirin is said to lower the pH level of the water allowing it to travel through the flower faster, preventing wilting.
Does baking soda make flowers last longer? ›
Any of the fungicide products (bleach, baking soda, vodka) combined with soda or sugar and some form of acid do a good job of keeping flowers fresh.
How does aspirin make flowers last longer? ›
Aspirin. It's a tried-and-true way to keep roses and other cut flowers fresh longer: Put a crushed aspirin in the water before adding your flowers. Also, don't forget to change the vase water every few days.
Add Sugar or Plant Food to the Water
One teaspoon of sugar or plant food to a quart of water should be enough to perk up your flowers and get them looking lively again. If this hasn't helped, add another teaspoon of sugar (dissolved in warm water, first) after two or three hours.
How do you keep flowers from dying overnight? ›
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.
Why does bleach keep flowers fresh? ›
When microorganisms multiply in plain vase water, they block the flower stem and make it hard for the stem to absorb water for nutrients — causing wilt and odors! Adding Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach kills these microorganisms to ensure that your flower bloom lasts.
What to spray on flowers to preserve them? ›
You can also use hairspray to preserve fragile dried flowers—especially bouquets with particular sentimental value. They will hold up better when moved around, and colors will fade less over time.
Do you put fresh flowers in cold or warm water? ›
One of the most surprising findings is that freshly picked flowers should be placed in cold water, not warm. With a few exceptions, warm temperatures rob the flower of food and water, often resulting in dehydration.
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. Step 1: Choose your beautiful flowers and cut them from the bottom of the stem at an angle.
What happens if you put salt on a flower? ›
Salt spray can also cause damage by desiccating the bud scales, exposing tender tissues of the developing leaves and flowers. The unprotected developing leaves and flower buds dry out and are often killed by the cold winter wind. Many times, the damage is not evident until late winter or spring.
Does salt water hurt flowers? ›
“Salt water directly damages plants by accumulating chloride and sodium ions that can be toxic as they accumulate in plants. They can also create a kind of chemical drought where water in roots can diffuse out into the saltier soil. Both of these effects are damaging.
What can I feed my flowers? ›
Here's a basic home recipe: 1 quart water + 2 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 tablespoon sugar + 1/2 teaspoon bleach. The sugar is the food part and the bleach will help to slow fungi and bacteria growth. Note: If you want to get all advanced you can adjust the sugar based on the flowers in your vase.
Does ice water make your flowers last longer? ›
Once open, use cool water (or simply add some ice cubes to the vase) in order to keep the blooms lasting longer. Though water still absorbs into the stem, colder water slows any decay, bacteria, or mold from breaking down the organic matter.
A rose's vibrant red dulls to dried-out brown, and flowers begin to droop. Some say adding a citrus-flavored soda, such as 7-Up or Sprite, or an alcohol like vodka to the vase of water will lengthen the time these flowers remain beautiful.
Is sugar water good for plants? ›
There is no scientific evidence that feeding plants sugar water is conducive to plant health, on the contrary, it can harm your plants and even kill them.
Does Sprite in water help flowers? ›
Sprite — Sprite makes the water more acidic, which means it can travel up the stem of the flower more quickly. Also, the sugar serves as food for the flower.
Does vinegar in water help flowers? ›
To keep cut flowers fresh longer (or even perk up the ones that have drooped) add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sugar to a vase of water. The vinegar will act to destroy some of the bacteria and your cut flowers will last days longer than just plain water.
Does apple cider vinegar keep flowers fresh? ›
Apple Cider Vinegar
Everyone likes to keep cut flowers around as long as possible, and there are several good methods. One way is to mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar with the vase water before adding the flowers.
Why does Sprite make flowers last longer? ›
The theory is that the sugar in the Sprite acts as flower food, which in turn helps the flowers stay fresh and keep drinking water.
What soda is good for flowers? ›
Club soda contains phosphate and other nutrients that makes plants happy.
Can you put ibuprofen in flowers to make them last longer? ›
Brands such as Bayer are excellent for this easy at home gardening tip but make sure you steer clear of substitutes such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Which aspirin is best for flowers? ›
Aspirin. Aspirin lowers the pH of the water, which can help flowers live longer. Through our research, we found the most common recommendation was to crush a single 500-mg aspirin so it absorbs more quickly.
Is aspirin harmful to plants? ›
Did you know that using aspirin in the garden can have a beneficial effect on many of your plants? Acetylsalicylic acid is the active ingredient in aspirin and is derived from salicylic acid, which is naturally found in willow bark and many other trees. This natural cure-all really can boost the health of your plants.
Keep flowers in a cool part of the room away from direct sunlight. Heat will dry out petals and wilt flowers. Change the water regularly to stop it becoming dirty or green and clean out the vase with hot, soapy water and fill it with fresh water.
How do I keep my bouquet fresh? ›
5 Tips for Better Bouquet Care
- Trim the Stems. After you have unwrapped your bouquet, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. ...
- Clean Water Daily. ...
- Use the Flower Food. ...
- Keep in Indirect Light. ...
- Remove Stems as Needed.
Does alcohol help flowers last longer? ›
Vodka has a different effect on a bouquet of flowers: When added to a vase, it preserves them, probably by inhibiting ethylene production, Dole says. Ethylene is a ripening gas emitted by plants that helps them mature. Inhibiting this gas could slow wilting. Vodka, however, is not a very viable preservative.
Does baking soda make your flowers last longer? ›
Any of the fungicide products (bleach, baking soda, vodka) combined with soda or sugar and some form of acid do a good job of keeping flowers fresh.
Do you put flowers in cold or warm water? ›
What water temperature is recommended for keeping cut flowers fresh? Most florists put flowers in water that is between 100-110 degrees, and then place the flowers in a cool area. The idea behind this process is that the warm stems are able to soak up a lot of water while the cool air up top keeps the blooms fresh.
Should you put Sprite in flowers? ›
Sprite — Sprite makes the water more acidic, which means it can travel up the stem of the flower more quickly. Also, the sugar serves as food for the flower.
Does co*ke make flowers last longer? ›
Soda. Don't throw away those last drops of soda! Pour about 1/4 cup into the water in a vase full of cut flowers. The sugar in the soda will make the blossoms last longer.
Does white vinegar help flowers last longer? ›
To keep cut flowers fresh longer (or even perk up the ones that have drooped) add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sugar to a vase of water. The vinegar will act to destroy some of the bacteria and your cut flowers will last days longer than just plain water.
Does vinegar and sugar 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. Step 1: Choose your beautiful flowers and cut them from the bottom of the stem at an angle.