How to Make Fresh Flowers Last Longer

Did you know that the flower industry is worth $5 billion in the United States?

It makes sense, considering how often we buy flowers for weddings, funerals, and other occasions. There’s hardly anything sweeter than being the recipient of fresh flowers.

The only problem is storing fresh flowers. That’s why we’re here with a guide on how to make fresh flowers last longer.

Provide A Clean Environment

The first step to making flowers last longer is using a clean vase. Scrub the glass thoroughly with soap and rinse with water. You don’t want a dirty vase to provide an unlivable environment for your fresh flowers.

Then, just add water, right? Not exactly. Storing fresh flowers in a vase with water and flower food will prolong their lifespan.

Follow the directions on the plant food so you have the right proportions of water to flower food. You don’t want the mix to be too concentrated or too watered-down, or the fresh flowers won’t last as long. Then, mix well.

This mix gives your flowers a healthy dose of nutrients and will help fight microbes like bacteria. Be diligent about changing out this water every few days, too.

Storing Fresh Flowers

Where you place your flowers is equally as important as what you put in them. Fresh flowers need a cool environment to thrive. This means they need to be hidden from direct sunlight or any appliances that produce heat.

Just make sure that their cool spot in the house or office is not near a window, vent, or fan. Your fresh flowers are likely to dry up in these conditions.

Proper Pruning

When learning how to make fresh flowers last longer, pruning them properly is one of the most important steps.

First, cut the stems at a diagonal angle. If you cut them straight across, they’re not guaranteed to get water. This is because the stems will likely sit on the bottom of the vase and not soak up water.

Stems cut at an angle, however, have a wide wider surface area, which maximizes water intake.

Other than the stems, you’ll need to prune some petals to prevent bacteria from growing. Pluck away petals if you notice wilting. This will also help the fresh flowers to bloom more fully.

Cooler Temperatures

We already know that dry, cool conditions make flowers last longer, but there’s something more you can do. Professional florists store fresh flowers in temperatures that are a little above freezing. The humidity is quite high, too.

If you need funeral flowers, check out these beautiful arrangements from Phillips Flowers.