Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresh, Vibrant, and Perky!

Can anything light up a room more than a bouquet of fresh flowers? You order flowers, they are brought to your door, and they appear bouncy and bright, with an oh-so-delicious aroma – but only for a few short days until they begin to wilt.

Sad, wilted flowers can change the mood of a room full of happy flowers just the day before. So what are your options? When you purchase flowers from us, we want them to look beautiful for as long as possible! Because of this, we asked florists at our house for their best tips for keeping flowers fresh. Give them a go and report to us about how they work for you.

Give Em’ Some Sugar

They are in every home and are a great, simple way to keep flowers fresh. You need three teaspoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar to make a solution for one liter of warm water in a vase. This mixture feeds the plants (with sugar) and keeps bacteria from growing in the water (with vinegar). With this, you won't believe how long the flowers in your bouquets will stay fresh and beautiful!

Bleach, please!

Even though this may sound crazy, you shouldn't discount this old way of keeping your flowers fresh. Only 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per liter of water in the vase is needed. They maintain their brilliance for longer and the water remains clearer and free of microorganisms as a result. Every day brings a fresh new experience for us!

Not Just Another Apple Cider Miracle

You've probably heard of different uses for "Apple Cider Vinegar" (ACV) that we'll leave for another time. However, if you want your flowers to keep looking beautiful for longer, this is the one for you. Mix up two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar before placing the flowers in the vase. Make careful to replace the mixture's components with new ones at least once every few days.

Hair Spray is not just for the hair

It was a surprise to us, but a spritz or two of hairspray may help cut flowers retain their fresh appearance for an extended period. That is what you do: Spray the bottom surfaces of the leaves and flower petals from about a foot away, and you're done! If you want to prevent bacteria development, replace the water in your flowers' vase every few days.

Got Soda?

Even though we shouldn't drink these sugary drinks to cool off, the sugar is exactly why sodas are great for giving flowers a boost. All that is required is a quarter cup stirred into the water in the vase, and you will be finished. Clear drinks like Sprite or 7-up are better than Coke if you want the water in a transparent vase to stay transparent.

Aspirin, but not for a headache!

Freshly cut flowers don't wilt when you put Panadol, Paracetamol, Tylenol, or any other pain reliever on them. It's an old home remedy that goes by many names. Pick one up, smash it, and put it in the vase before you place your flowers in there; remember to replace the water every few days. Flowers that stay fresh longer and don't give you headaches.

We could go on and on, but you get the idea. Everything you need to preserve your lovely flower arrangements is within easy reach in any modern home. And it doesn't seem hard. Last but not least, before doing anything else, permanently remove at least half an inch of the stem with sharp scissors or pruning shears. That will ensure that the flower stems take in all the nutrients they need, allowing them to retain their freshness and vigor for an extended period following delivery.