Fresh cut flowers are such a beautiful addition to a home, and it’s always sad when they fade. Although part of what makes them beautiful is the fact that they are temporary, there are a few things you can do to make them last as long as possible. Read on for some tips on how to make cut flowers last longer with just a few simple steps.
The Joy of Cut Flowers
When my son graduated from preschool, I brought him a bouquet of fresh flowers. After the graduation ceremony and the play that the children put on (where my son played the big bad wolf, no less), I handed him a bouquet, gave him a big hug and kiss, and told him how proud I was.
His look was a mix of surprise and love. His eyes widened, and his voice softened when he asked, “Did you give me these flowers because you love me?”
My eyes teared up, and I said, “I gave you these flowers because I’m proud of you, and watching you graduate felt like something we should celebrate. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a beautiful bunch of flowers?”
He didn’t let go of the flowers the whole night. We went out for dinner afterward, and I recommended that we bring the flowers home on our way so that we could put them in water. He reluctantly gave them up so I could put them in a vase.
As soon as we got home, he ran to the flowers and brought them to his room. After moving some Lego, books, and a Batman figurine to give them prime space, he found the perfect spot on his nightstand.
He asked, “They’re going to die, right?”
I said, “Yes, they will die eventually, and that will make us appreciate them even more.”
I appreciate flowers for their beauty and for their purpose in the garden, but it’s what fresh cut flowers do outside of the garden that is so special. It helps people feel loved. To keep that feeling for as long as possible, here are a few tips on how to make your cut flowers last longer.
- The Joy of Cut Flowers
- How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
- Harvest Correctly
- Arrange Your Fresh Cut Flowers
- Make Floral Preservative
- How to Water Fresh Cut Flowers
- Where to Place Fresh Cut Flowers
- More Tips for Cut Flowers
How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
Are you looking to make your own gorgeous arrangements? It’s so satisfying to bring some of your garden beauties inside to admire or to gift to friends. Flowers bring so much joy, whether that is a vase sitting on the coffee table or a single stalk on a nightstand. Check out this video for some quick tips on how to make your cut flowers last as long as possible.
Harvest Correctly
Most flowers are best harvested in the morning when temperatures are still cool and they have the highest water content. If you harvest on a hot summer’s day, your flowers will be quick to wilt.
Choose flowers that are close to their full splendour. By this, I mean that they are just coming into full bloom. Too early and you run the risk they won’t open, too late and you may miss the show altogether. Blooms that never fully open are so disappointing!
Use a sharp knife or pruners (don’t pick!) and cut just above a leaf node. Cut the stem at an angle so that as much of the inner stem surface as possible touches the water. Disinfect your knife after each cut to ensure you don’t spread any diseases between plants.
Bring a bucket or jar of water with you to harvest and add the flowers right away as you cut. This way, they won’t have the opportunity to wilt as you’re still picking.
Arrange Your Fresh Cut Flowers
Bring the flowers inside and let them rest for a few hours before starting your arrangements.
Remove all of the foliage that will be underwater as the leaves will rot in the water and speed up decomposition.
For woody-stemmed flowers like Hydrangeas, dip the cut end of the stem in boiling water quickly before adding the bloom to cold water. Woody stems should also be spliced 1/2 to 1 inch up the base of the stem to help encourage water intake.
See more of my best flower arranging tips here.
Make Floral Preservative
When you buy bouquets of flowers from the grocery store or a florist, they often come with their own floral preservative. But when you cut them on your own, what can you put in flower water?
If you would like to make an easy floral preservative at home, simply add a little white sugar and vinegar to the water. The sugar helps to feed the flowers while the vinegar wards off bacteria.
Add 2 tablespoons each of sugar and vinegar for every 1 quart of water.
Some say crushing one aspirin into the water can also help preserve the flowers. It lowers the water’s pH and prevents the flowers from wilting. However, the science behind this hasn’t been backed up. I would say the sugar and vinegar combo is your best at-home floral preservative.
How to Water Fresh Cut Flowers
Change water daily to ensure your flowers don’t sit in contaminated water. If you notice your water getting cloudy at all, be sure to change the water immediately.
When you first cut your flowers, they will be very thirsty. Keep a close eye on them for the next 24 hours as you may need to refill the water because they already drank it up!
If you notice the flowers are looking a little wilted but still have plenty of water, consider giving them a mist. Spraying cut flowers with water replicates a humid environment. Plus, some flowers can actually absorb water through their leaves and petals, such as hydrangea.
Every couple of days, recut your stems as well. I do this while I’m changing the water.
Where to Place Fresh Cut Flowers
Display arrangements in cooler locations out of direct sunlight. The heat will make them wilt quickly and evaporate their water.
Another way to keep your flowers nice fresh is by placing them in the fridge. Florists always put their flowers in the fridge to make them last longer, so why not do it at home too?
At night, before you head to bed, pop your arrangement into the fridge. The cold temperatures will help slow down the aging. Ideally, the flowers should be in the fridge for about eight hours at a time.
Note: your flowers should never freeze so avoid this if your fridge is a bit tempermental and has ever frozen items. The ideal temperature for cold storage is between 34°F and 38°F (1°C to 3°C). Tropical flowers like it even warmer.
Cut Flower FAQ
Florists have specialty coolers that help flowers last longer. Ideally, flowers should be stored at 34°F and 38°F (1°C to 3°C) if you want them to last longer (DO NOT let them freeze). This is great if you harvest the flowers early to save for a later event. Once they’re warm, they’ll begin to open up more.
Another thing florists do is add cut flower food to the water. You can make your own by adding two tablespoons each of sugar and vinegar for every 1 quart of water.
Yes! Vinegar helps kill and prevent harmful bacteria from growing and maintains a healthy pH. You can use regular 5-10% white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
With these tips, you should have a house full of flowers for a long, long time. Remember, some flowers last longer than others when cut. By following these tips, you should have at least a week of cut flowers to enjoy, if not more!
Keep in mind that a beautiful vase of freshly cut blooms stems from growing the right kind of flowers! Here are the best flowers to grow in your cutting garden.
More Tips for Cut Flowers
- The Best Cutting Flowers to Grow and How to Cut Them
- Cut Your Own Natural Flowering Branches for Vase Arrangements
- Spread the Flower Love With an Urban Flower Farm Stand
- How to Design a Cut Flower Garden
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Worth reading. Thank you for sharing.
Please say how much vinegar and sugar.