How to Keep Flowers Alive in a Vase
As soon as fresh flowers have been cut, they can no longer take in water and nutrients through the roots. Make certain they live longer by replenishing the water supply as soon as possible. Put cut flowers in fresh water right away and give them the right amount of attention to increase their life in a vase. It doesn't matter if you cut the flowers from your own garden or bring them home from a store--the care is the same.
Caring for Cut Flowers
Fill a flower vase two-thirds full with lukewarm water. It is best to use water that is distilled or that has been sitting at room temperature overnight, although it is okay to use warm water from a faucet. If flower food came with your cut flowers, add it now. If you don't have flower food, dissolve 1 tsp. of sugar into the water. This will help replace the nutrients the cut flower needs to live longer.
- As soon as fresh flowers have been cut, they can no longer take in water and nutrients through the roots.
- It is best to use water that is distilled or that has been sitting at room temperature overnight, although it is okay to use warm water from a faucet.
Cut the ends of your flowers at an angle if you are picking them straight out of the garden. Remove any foliage that would be submerged in the water. If the flowers were purchased at a store, cut them again when you get home. Run water over the ends. This will allow the flowers to soak up the most moisture so they can live longer.
Plunge the stems of your flowers into the vase filled with water as soon as they have been cut. The longer your flowers are removed from their water source, the sooner they will die. Fill the vase up to just below the top of the rim so the majority of the stem is submerged in water. Some water will be absorbed through the stem.
- Cut the ends of your flowers at an angle if you are picking them straight out of the garden.
Water your cut flowers every day. Do not empty the water in the vase when you water them, but add fresh, lukewarm water to the existing water to bring the level back up to just below the rim of the vase.
Add flower food or an acidifier. Add 2 tbsp. of lemon juice to the water to prolong the color of the flowers. You can also add 1 cup of a carbonated beverage to the water instead of lemon juice. Use a clear carbonated beverage, rather than a cola, to keep the water looking fresh.
- Water your cut flowers every day.
- of lemon juice to the water to prolong the color of the flowers.
Tip
Keep flowers away from drafty areas or places that are too hot. Re-cut the stems every few days.
Warning
Keep cut flowers away from fruit, which emits a gas that makes flowers die sooner..
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References
Tips
- Keep flowers away from drafty areas or places that are too hot.
- Re-cut the stems every few days.
Warnings
- Keep cut flowers away from fruit, which emits a gas that makes flowers die sooner..
Writer Bio
Bobbie Brewer has been writing since 1990, with work appearing in print and online. She covers topics related to international travel, outdoor recreation, parenting and gardening. Brewer holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University, Sacramento.
