Tricks to Keep Your Flowers Alive Longer

Enhance the longevity of your arrangements with these easy tips

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

June 3, 2022

Have you ever received a beautiful bouquet to have it turn bad a few days later? Here are our best tips to keep your flower arrangements fresh and fragrant.

Cut the Stems
Water needs to be able to flow to the ends of the flowers. To have them not sit flat on the bottom of the vase, cut the stems at an angle to allow for better water intake. Give the flowers a fresh cut every few days.

Avoid Bacteria
Bacteria can be a flower killer. Make sure to wash out your vase before putting flowers in it. Then refill it at least every two days. To prevent bacterial growth, remove any leaves below the water line.

Keep it Cool
When adding water, fill up the vase with ice first. Then add cool water. To keep it cold, add a few ice cubes every day.

Flower Food
If your arrangement doesn’t include flower food, make your own. For every quart of water, add in the mixture of 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon bleach in the vase of water before adding the flowers. The ACV, lemon juice, and bleach will keep bacteria away, and the sugar feeds the flowers. Every few days, add more of the solution.

Placement Matters
Keep arrangements in cool spots in your house and at a consistent temperature. Avoid placing them by heating ducts and vents since airflow increases evaporation, and heat sources make the flowers bloom and fade faster. You can also keep flowers fresh by avoiding direct sunlight and fruit, especially tomatoes, bananas, and apples, which produce high levels of ethylene that can age flowers.

Bonus Tip: Drop a penny in your vase. Pennies are made of copper. It's a fungicide to ward off bacteria and enhance flowers' longevity.