How to Extend the Life of Cut Flowers

There's nothing quite like the beauty and fragrance of fresh-cut flowers, but unfortunately, they don't last forever. However, with a little extra care, you can extend the life of your cut flowers and enjoy them for longer. Here are some tips for keeping your cut flowers looking fresh and vibrant:

-Start with fresh, healthy flowers. The longer a flower has been cut, the shorter the vase live will be. Choose flowers that are just starting to open and avoid those that are wilted or damaged.

-Use a clean, sharp floral snips, knife, or scissors to cut the stems. We always try to cut the stems at an angle, which will encourage them uptake more water and nutrients.

-Remove any leaves/greenery that will be touching or in the water. Leaves that are submerged in water will rot and shorten the life of the flowers, because they will introduce bacteria.

-Use a clean vase and fresh water. Dirty vases and water can harbor bacteria, which can shorten the life of your flowers. Make sure to clean your vase thoroughly and refill it with fresh, cool water.

-Add a floral preservative to the water. Floral preservatives are specially formulated to help flowers last longer by providing them with the nutrients and bacteria inhibitors they need. These can be purchased at florists or craft stores. Alternative sources that also work: 1/2 tsp bleach and 1/2 tsp of sugar. The bleach keeps the water clean and the sugar gives your flowers something to eat. Don’t believe us? Give it a try!

-Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat. Flowers will last longer in a cool, well-ventilated location.

-Our #1 recommendation! Re-cut the bottom of the flower stems and change the water every few days. This will help to keep the flowers hydrated, nice and clean. We like to rinse the stems under water to give them an extra rinse, aside from changing the water. Anytime you take your flower stems out of water, always give them a 1mm or so trim at the bottom. When you remove the stems from water, it introduces air bubbles into the stem that blocks water uptake into the stem.

We hope these suggestions help y’all to enjoy your fresh cut blooms MUCH longer! These are all suggestions we give our customers and many have reported their flowers last anywhere from 7-14 days. We always love hearing this and it’s a great testament to local flowers and their vase life.

Are there any tips we missed that y’all would recommend? If so, share them along with us by commenting below.

XX Jenn and Adam