Are you a fan of freshly cut flowers? Whether or not you regularly purchase a bouquet for yourself, spring is generally the season for giving and receiving a beautiful bunch. (Think Mother’s Day and Teacher’s Day, for example.) The next time you find yourself the proud owner of a gorgeous bouquet of red roses, a thoughtful bunch of daisies, or an exotic assortment of another beautiful grouping of flowers, you’ll want to make it last!
To help you keep your flowers fresher, longer, we’ve got the best tips. The most important ways to keep your flowers fresh is to:
- Start with a clean vase to minimize the bacteria that will wilt your flowers before their time.
- Keep your flowers in a cooler, darker spot. Avoid direct sunlight and too much heat. If your setting is in a less than ideal spot, put your flowers away in the refrigerator when you’re not enjoying them.
- Use some kind of food to feed your flowers.
That’s it! Really, it’s that simple to keep lovely flowers fresh. But just in case you want to overthink it, we’ve compiled other common ways people recommend to keep flowers fresh. You can try one, or all of them and see if any work best for you.
For example, some people swear that a spritz of a little hairspray will give you a better hold on your blossoms. Others recommend that you add a few drops of soda to the water. They claim Sprite is the best brand, only because it won’t cloud up the water in your vase. Or, you can use a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with two tablespoons of sugar and a full vase of water. The acid is supposed to kill bacteria.
Some people actually even recommend that you “let your flowers drink vodka.” The theory is that the alcohol in vodka, or any clear spirit, will minimize the bacteria in the water. It’s the same idea behind the advice to add in a crushed aspirin, or a penny.
While some say these are tried-and-true methods recommended by experts and housekeepers in the know, others have done informal tests that show the flower food packets that come with your bouquet will work best.
Our recommendation? Talk to your florist about the best ways to keep your bunch. We love flowers and we want you to enjoy your selection. (Oh, and if any of the above home remedy tips work out for you we want to hear about it!)