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3055 E. Fairview Ave #140
Meridian, ID 83642
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How to Make Flowers Last Longer: Tips From the Experts

Bringing a bouquet of fresh cut flowers into your home can instantly brighten your space and mood, and of course they make great gifts for anyone from business associates, to friends, to life partners. The downside is, of course, that if you don't get them from Meridian Floral, they could wilt pretty quickly. But did you know that with the right care, you can extend the life of your flowers? And not just a little, but sometimes up to two extra weeks! Let's dive into the art of how to make flowers last longer, focusing on specific varieties and the unique care each requires. Plus, we'll go over general care that applies to all flowers, and extra tips like what to put in water to keep flowers fresh.

General Tips for All Varieties

  • Change the Water Regularly: It doesn't take long for things to start growing in that water. This doesn't have to be an "ick" factor, though. Changing the flower water every two to three days can drastically improve the longevity of your bouquet. Bacteria in the water can block the stems and prevent water uptake, or make the flowers sick, so keeping the water fresh is key.
  • Trim the Stems: Before placing your flowers in a vase, and each time you change the water, trim the stems about a quarter or half an inch. Always cut at a diagonal angle to increase the surface area for water to be absorbed into the stem.
  • Keep Them Cool: Place your flowers in a cool area away from direct sunlight, drafts, and (most people don't know about this one!) ripening fruit, which emits ethylene gas that causes most flowers to wilt prematurely.
  • Feed Them Well: Adding a floral preservative to the water can work wonders. These are often provided by florists but can also be made at home — more on that below.

Variety-Specific Care

Roses: Roses are often left with many of their luxuriously green leaves on the stem, since it makes for a fuller bouquet, but this requires the removal of any leaves that might sit below the waterline, which can easily rot. Roses stay fresh when placed in a cool spot away from direct sunlight.

Lilies: These delicate and fragrant beauties thrive in cooler places, away from direct sunlight. Always trim the stamens, since it prevents pollen from staining the petals (or your furniture), and actually promotes a longer bloom. This is because once lilies release their stamens, it's their signal that they've completed pollination and can start to wilt.

Tulips: Tulips are special since they continue to grow in the vase indefinitely! Keep them in a nice, tall vase to support their stems, and place them in a spot with indirect, but bright light. A penny in the vase can keep them standing tall, since the acidity from the copper perks them up.

Orchids: Cut and uncut orchids both love a humid environment. Keeping an orchid can be more challenging, but if you mist the blooms lightly every day, and keep them in moderate to bright, indirect ligh1t, they'll do very well. Orchids don't need much water in the actual vase because they're used to moist air, so be cautious of overfilling.

Sunflowers: It goes without saying, these sunny blooms love direct sunlight! Fresh water and a clean vase are crucial for keeping sunflowers bright and perky, especially because their thick stems and delicate leaves are a great snack for bacteria.

What to Put in Water to Keep Flowers Fresh

  • Sugar: Acts as food for the flowers. You can make a homemade solution by mixing 3 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar per liter/quarter gallon of warm water. The vinegar helps inhibit bacterial growth, while the sugar feeds the flowers.
  • Bleach: Just a quarter teaspoon per liter/quarter gallon of water can keep the water from getting cloudy and reduce bacteria and fungi. Don't overdo it with the bleach, since the flowers can only stand so much.
  • Aspirin: A crushed aspirin tablet in the water can slightly acidify it, helping to mimic the flower's natural environment. This is great for perking up flowers that look a little droopy.

Keep in mind that if you try bleach and vinegar or aspirin, you'll be adding an acid to a base, and you're likely to nullify the vinegar or aspirin and end up with a bit of foam for your trouble. When in doubt, you can always use sugar with vinegar or sugar with bleach.

Sunlight and Fresh Cut Flowers

The question of whether flowers need sunlight after being cut varies by variety. Most cut flowers will last longer in dim light or indirect sunlight, especially if they have large petals. Direct sunlight can hasten their demise by unnecessarily removing water from the flowers through their leaves and petals, and by heating up the water they drink, which promotes bacterial growth. However, some varieties, like sunflowers, can withstand and even thrive in sunny conditions for a long while.

Pick Fresher Flowers to Start

The fact is that these tricks all work better the fresher the flowers are to begin with. At Meridian Floral, quality flowers that last are our specialty. Unlike those you might find at a grocery store, our selections are the first pick from the flower farms, chosen not just for their beauty but for their longevity. We focus on providing only the best flowers, ensuring a vibrant bouquet for your home that will last. Our Boise flower delivery service makes it easy to give a lush bouquet as a gift and have it delivered the same day to anywhere in Boise, Meridian, or beyond. For those seeking the best places to buy flowers, look no further than us!