Flowers aren’t just pretty to look at in the garden; a fresh arrangement popped onto a dining room or bedside table breathes life into any space. Their floral fragrances, interesting textures and vibrant colours can brighten even the gloomiest of days. Whether you hand-picked a bunch straight from your garden, picked up a bunch at the store, or were gifted an arrangement from a loved one, here are six simple ways to make your cut flowers last longer.
How long do cut flowers last?
Most florists agree that freshly cut flowers should last 7 to 10 days from purchase. This number varies depending on the variety and weather conditions – hot weather reduces this by a day or two, and cold weather extends this by a few days.
5 Simple ways to keep cut flowers fresh
1. Scrub the vase
Keeping flowers fresh depends on a few factors, the most important of which is preventing bacterial growth. Starting with a dirty vase, or even one with a few missed spots, will immediately invite the growth of bacteria.
One way to ensure this is to scrub the vase you’ve chosen with hot, soapy water and finish with a rinse of bleach.
2. Trim stems
Fresh flowers need a trim before placing them into a prepared vase. This is because once a bunch is out of water for more than twenty minutes (which is the case when they’re being transported), their stems start to seal to protect themselves.
Once you’re home or ready to arrange them in a chosen vase, trim about 2cm of the stems at a 45º angle (this increases the stems’ surface area for water and food absorption). Use shears or clippers for woody stems, and sharp scissors or knives for others. If you can, trim them under water to prevent them from starting to seal while you work.
3. Remove excess leaves and flowers
Play around with your arrangement in the vase. Take note of any leaves or flowers that will sit below the water line. Remove them. If left, this foliage will start to decompose in the water, inviting bacterial growth and reducing the time the flowers remain fresh.
4. Feed your flowers
Cut flowers last longer when fed. Flower food contains sugar for nourishment and an acid to keep the pH of the water low, and help them absorb water efficiently. Your bunch usually comes with a sachet that you can add to the vase, but this is only a one-time deal. After a few days, you can dose them again to help stretch their shelf-life. You can buy flower food in bulk or make your own.
DIY Flower Food
This recipe makes enough for one dose. Simply mix the ingredients and add to the vase in place of fresh water:
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp bleach
- 1 litre of cool water
5. Daily maintenance
It is worth the time and effort it takes every day or other day to maintain and upkeep a flower arrangement. Without doing so, the shelf-life of fresh flowers may be reduced significantly, even by half. Do these small things every day to keep them fresher for longer:
- Change the water daily
- Feed flowers every 3 days
- Remove wilted stems and foliage
- Re-trim stems every few days and remove any leaves below the water line
- Over time, transfer the bunch to a smaller vase as you remove wilted or dead stems
