Fresh flowers add that special touch to any spring or summer space. Learn how to make cut flowers last longer with these simple tips.
I always love fresh flowers and there’s no better time than the summer to enjoy them! I think that flowers are the quickest and easiest way to add color and life to any space – and they just look SO pretty!! Since I {unfortunately!} can’t afford to go buying new flower bouquets every week, I’ve found some simple tips and tricks to make our cut flowers last longer and keep them looking their best. I actually really enjoy arranging flowers and have a lot of fun switching things around into different containers and displays.
Tips to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
Keep your flowers looking their best and extend the life of your bouquets with these simple tips and tricks…
Trim The Stems
When you first receive your flowers, trim the ends of the stems at least half an inch to allow for better water absorption. Cut them on an angle using sharp scissors, an un-serrated knife, or pruners. You should also strip away any buds or leaves that will sit below the water line. This will help to prevent that murky water and slimy stems that will make your flowers go bad. If you find that your flowers are starting to wilt at any time, give them a quick trim again in case they’re not pulling up enough water.
Keep Your Vase Clean
Bacteria and other microorganisms that may be on the surface of your vase can quickly cause your flowers to die. Be sure to give your vase a good cleaning beforehand with hot water, a little dish soap, and some vinegar to kill any bacteria off – even if you think it’s clean! Rinse well and dry before arranging your flowers. Change the water frequently and re-wash the vase if the water ever becomes dark or foul smelling.
Location, Location, Location
When you’re displaying your flowers, look for a cool location out of direct sunlight to preserve your bouquets as long as possible. Watch out for other heat sources too such as appliances or radiators that can quickly cause your flowers to fade. For the most part, fruit and flowers also don’t mix well. Many fruits – including bananas, avocados, apples, and kiwis – produce a gas called ethylene. This gas can really reduce the lifespan of any flowers that are kept nearby {as well as increase the rotting of any other non-ethylene producing fruits!} so try to keep these fruits and flowers separated!
Look for Some Long Lasting Blooms and Greenery
Buy a mixture of blooms to help your bouquets last as long as possible. Mix in some varieties that you know tend to last a long time – alstroemeria {my favorite!}, mums, carnations, etc. – with those blooms that have a shorter lifespan. Take out any flowers that are past their prime and re-arrange your bouquet with the remaining flowers. You can always add some extra clippings from your backyard or purchase some really inexpensive greenery to fill in any empty spaces. The flowers below were almost three weeks old when the photo was taken and they still had lots of life left in them.
Restyle
Have fun with your flowers and change things up as the amount of blooms decreases. Even when there were only a few flowers left, these purple carnations still made a pretty display with just a couple little add-ins!
Choose the Perfect Vase
Have some fun using different containers to display your flowers. Use glass jars of various sizes, vintage bowls, tea cups, crates – really anything you can put something into! I loved the look of these simple mason jars dresssed up with lemons and limes for our summer tablescape. Once the evening was finished, I just rinsed the stems and placed them back in fresh water again.
This infographic from 46 and Spruce gives you a great overview of everything you need to keep your flowers looking their best.
More Flower Decorating Ideas
Do you love flowers? Here are more ways to incorporate flowers into your home decor…
There Are Always Flowers Free Printable
Great tips. I was aware of some of these but had no idea that flower placement made a difference. Thank you for the information.
All the different arrangements are beautiful , I love how you did each and every one of them. So pretty.
Beautiful pics! Love fresh flowers….treat myself occasionally 🙂
Would love if you’d share your tips at Reader Tip Tuesday.
It’s open all week as I intro it! Hope to see you & your beautiful blooms there…
Yes! So nice to splurge every now and then.
Such gorgeous pics, flowers, and vases. Pinning this informative post. Visiting from #ThursdayFavoriteThings.
Thanks so much!
These bouquets are all stunning, Jenn!!! Wow!! And great tips! Featuring you Sunday night at our party!
Beautiful flowers! I’ve tried a few of your tips. Now I have more. Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
Thanks for hosting!
Such a lovely post! The flowers are beautiful! My Mum was a florist so I knew most of these tricks, but so good to be reminded of them all the same.
Ohhhhh! I’d love to be a florist! I bet you had some nice arrangements at your home growing up. 🙂
Thank you or sharing such great tips. I have stopped buying cut flowers this year because they would get all slimy and gross. These tips are great reminders to take better care of cut flowers after I bring them home. You have some beautiful arrangements. #HomeMattersParty
Hi Jenn, just stopping by to let you know that you were featured at the latest Friday Favorites linky party: Be Alice.
Hope to see you at the next party 🙂
*Maisy
Thanks so much!
Hi Jenn, I follow you from the UK and my friend gave me a top tip for tulips. Mine always droop within hours but she told me if you get a pin and pierce the stem through just below the flower head and then remove the pin the flower head doesn’t droop. I tried it with my last lot and I have just replaced them – two weeks later. They looked great and didn’t droop at all. It is a great tip for tulips that really works!
I do this too! (i usually just use a sharp knife and pierce a partial hole in the stem – not all the way through to the other side) Totally works for curing that droopiness!!
I love this! These tips are so fantastic, I will for sure be trying these out!
Great tips! I love all your beautiful arrangements too. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
Great suggestions. Thanks so much for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home. –Jennifer
I love having fresh cut flowers in the house all summer long. These are great tips. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Great tips, Jenn! Always love finding new tricks for making fresh flowers last (and your photos are just lovely!). Pinned! Love seeing you at Tuesday Turn About!
Beautiful flowers and awesome photos of them. We want to feature your post on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop so that more bloggers can enjoy your flower tips.
Kathleen
Great tips and beautiful photos Jenn.
Thank you for sharing at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring your cut flower tips at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Great tips for making flowers last longer. My hubby brings me cut flowers often so I will certainly be using some of these tips! I would like to invite you to link this post to my new GATHERING OF FRIENDS LINK PARTY 2 over at my blog Graceforagypsy.com
Your hubby is definitely a keeper!! <3