Receiving a stunning bouquet of fresh flowers as a gift brings a different kind of joy to anyone. But that happy feeling can quickly turn into stress when you start seeing those beautiful blooms wilt away just a day or two after receiving them.

Don’t worry, though, because we got you! With these awesome tips and tricks, you can keep your bouquets looking stunning for days on end.

We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about fresh-cut flowers, so just continue reading if you want to enjoy your beautiful blooms longer!

Using a squeaky-clean vase is essential

One of the biggest reasons flowers wither early is exposure to bacteria and fungi. That’s why it’s important to make sure you place them in a squeaky-clean vase if you want to maintain their freshness for a long time.

Always clean the vase before putting water or flowers in it. This applies even if the vase is newly bought because you don’t know what it went through before you bought it, and there’s no guarantee the shop cleaned it.

Trim the stems at an angle 

The flowers will need to take up as much water as possible to stay fresh and healthy. One way you can help them increase their water intake is by trimming about one to two inches of the stems at a 45-degree angle.

The angle prevents them from sitting flat on the bottom of the base, which can restrict their ability to absorb water. This also increases the surface area exposed to the water, helping the stem take in more water.

Remove any leaves below the water line

Make sure to remove all the leaves in the stem that will be submerged in water. Bacteria can grow in them when they make contact with water, which can make the fresh flowers decay much faster.

Fill the vase with clean water

As we’ve mentioned, we want to prevent the flower from being exposed to bacteria or fungi as much as possible to keep them fresh. That’s why not only should your vase be clean, but your water should be, too.

Fill the vase with clean, room-temperature water. However, if your bouquet consists of flowers that grew from bulbs, like tulips, it’s best to use cold water, as they prefer colder water.

Make sure to supplement the water with flower food

Flower food is one of the most essential items you need to keep your flowers fresh for a long time. They contain sugar, which helps flowers open up, and citric acid, which helps prevent bacteria from growing in the water.

Florists typically sell flower food packets, so you can just buy them from them. You can also just make some at home by mixing 2 cups of warm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon vinegar,  and 1 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice.

Consider adding a few drops of vodka to the water

If there’s one secret ingredient that will keep your flowers fresh for a long time, it’s vodka! A few drops of the spirit can prevent the flowers from producing ethylene, a ripening gas that makes flowers mature and wither faster.

If you don’t have vodka, any other clear spirit can be used as an alternative. 

Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight and heat

Place the vase and the flowers somewhere away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep them away from windows or appliances that generate heat, like microwaves, electric heaters, furnaces, and stoves.

Excessive heat can lead to faster water loss and dehydration in the flowers, resulting in them wilting much faster than usual.

Don’t forget to mist the petals every now and then

Even if you already cut the stems on an angle and they’re absorbing enough water, misting the petals directly can still be beneficial to them. Keep the petals moist by spraying them every now and then, and you’ll see them lasting longer.

Trim the stems every day

Cut about 1/4 inch from the stems every day or every other day to keep the blooms longer. This is because air bubbles can form around the stem even if they’re cut at an angle, which can result in the flower not absorbing enough water and wilting.

Refrigerating them every night can do wonders for your flowers

This might be overkill for some, but if you really want to prolong the life of your flowers, consider putting them in the fridge every night before going to bed. Just take them out when you wake up, so you can still enjoy their beauty.

The lower temperature inside the fridge can slow down water loss in the flower and the aging process, resulting in them staying fresh longer than usual. 

Just make sure you don’t have fruits or vegetables inside the fridge when you put the flowers. They produce ethylene, which can cause the flowers to age rapidly.

Avoid mixing harmful flowers with other types of flowers

Some flowers, like daffodils and jonquils, may be harmful to others when you put them in the same container, so make sure to place them somewhere else. They release sap into the water, which can be absorbed by the other flowers, leading to rapid wilting.

Change the water and clean the vase consistently

Using fresh water and a clean vase only in the beginning isn’t enough to maintain your flowers’ freshness. Over time, bacteria and fungi will start growing in the water, and prolonged exposure to them can quickly cause your flowers to die.

Change the water every day to ensure your flowers remain fresh. Clean the vase, too, before filling it with fresh water, as it might already have bacteria buildup.

When selecting flowers for your bouquets, go for long-lasting flowers

Some flowers last longer than others, so if you want to have a fresh and beautiful arrangement for a long time, consider getting them. Some flowers you can get include chrysanthemums, lisianthus, ranunculus, zinnias, and sunflowers.

Avoid flowers with short vase life, like dahlias, lilies, daffodils, sweet peas, and delphinium. These flowers typically don’t last longer than 7 days.

FAQs About Maintaining Freshness of Cut Flowers

Does putting a penny in flowers make them last longer?

Putting a penny in a vase to make flowers last longer is a myth; it doesn’t make them last longer. Although copper pennies can act as acidifiers and help blooms open up, they don’t do much to keep flowers fresher.

It’s also believed that the copper in pennies can help kill bacteria and fungi in the water, but there’s really not much bacteria to kill off if you change the water and clean your vase every day.

Additionally, most pennies nowadays are no longer made of pure copper. They’re made of copper-plated zinc, which now makes them less effective even when opening up flowers. 

How long do cut flowers last?

Most cut flowers can last for 7 to 10 days, depending on the type of flowers you have and how well you take care of them. Some can even last for 14 days if you choose long-lasting flowers, like carnations.

The environment they’re growing in will also affect how long your cut flowers last. Hotter temperatures will make them die faster, so misting them and putting them in the fridge can help them last longer.

Does baking soda make flowers last longer?

Baking soda can help make your flowers last longer, especially if the water is too acidic. Adding a few teaspoons of baking soda can help neutralize the acidity in the water, making it more suitable for fresh flowers.

While flowers generally prefer acidic water, too much acidity can cause them to die much faster. The best pH you should aim for is around 3.5 to 5, but they can tolerate up to 7.

How long can cut flowers last without water?

Cut flowers typically only last a maximum of 8 hours without water. However, depending on the type and environment, they can start to wilt or show signs of dehydration as early as 2 hours.

Roses and carnations can typically last longer without water compared to other delicate flowers, like lilies, hydrangeas, daisies, and tulips.