Earlier this year I set myself the challenge of trying to grow all the cut flowers for our home. I’d been thinking about all the plastic wrap, air miles and chemicals involved in imported supermarket-bought blooms. And the environmental impact of all that. Surely I could do my bit and have more sustainable vases of flowers by growing my own. However, knowing how to keep the flowers fresh in a vase so they last longer must have major eco benefits too. Making shop-bought flowers last say 30% longer, reduces the amount we’d need to buy. Massively reducing their environmental impact – and saving we flower-buyers some money too!
Furthermore, knowing how to keep flowers fresh in a vase means if someone gives us an impromptu bouquet, (hint hint Mr F-W!) we have much longer to enjoy them. So I thought I’d devote this week’s blog to this very topic.
I should add here that this blog contains no advice on flower arranging. I’m absolutely rubbish at that. I rely on the natural loveliness of flowers to save my arrangements from looking a shambles.
But I do have some advice on how to keep cut flowers fresh.
How to Keep Flowers Fresh in a Vase – 8 Steps
To my mind keeping flowers in a vase involves 8 simple steps.
- Go for buds
- Lose the leaves
- Trim Stems
- Keep the Vase & Water Fresh
- Don’t Forget the Fridge
- Position Well
- Acclimatise
- Feed and Feed Again
Go for Buds
First up has to be at the actually cutting or buying stage. Resist things which are in absolutely full bloom. Cut or buy your flowers just before that, when they are still in the bud stage. With feeding they will soon open up as if they were still growing merrily in your garden, and they will last that bit longer in your vase.
Lose the Leaves
Bacterial growth is apparently an easy way to shorten the life of your vase of flowers. So to prevent it you want to remove any leaves below the water line as these will rot creating bacteria.
Also, even if leaves are above the water line, if they are unnecessary to the look of your display, remove them. Doing this will enable the stems to focus their efforts on on sustaining the flowerhead.
Again to avoid rot, keep an eye on your vase, scooping out any lose petals or dead leaves which may drop into the water.
Trim Stems
Apparently 35% of people forget to trim the base of the stems before they put them in a vase. A classic error! Always trim the base.
Use a clean, sharp knife – as you don’t want to crush the stem. The cut should be on a slant as you’re trying to provide the largest surface area, so the stem can absorb the most water. Also if you do a straight cut the stems may end up standing flat on the bottom of the vase, again inhibiting water intake. It’s so logical when you think about it. For woody stemmed flowers, such as roses, the experts recommend you also do a 2 inch vertical cut up the base of the stem.
Keep the Vase & Water Fresh
Another easy mistake to make is using a vase that isn’t squeeky clean. Before use always give it a really good scrub – and fill it with cold water. Don’t use warm water as this will encourage the flowers to open up and so will shorten the time they’re looking tip-top for you.
A common mistake I make is to forget to top up the water as it goes down. But not only should you do this but the top florists recommend that you replace it completely with fresh, clean cold water every 2-4 days. While you’re doing this, give the bases of the stems a further trim and give the vase a good rinse out.
Don’t Forget the Fridge!
If you’re really serious about extending the life of your vase of flowers and your arrangement isn’t too huge, some experts recommend popping it in the fridge overnight. Indeed I’ve often noticed florists storing flowers in fridges. I’m not sure how Mr F-W will respond to being greeted by vases in the fridge first thing – but I’m going to give it a go!
Position Well
The fridge tip illustrates how you’re trying to keep things cool and fresh for your flowers. So for the same reason, position your vase in a cool spot, in a shaded place which gets indirect sunlight. If you have it in blistering heat, or next to a radiator or appliances that generate heat, those blooms will fade much faster.
Also avoid keeping your vase of flowers in areas like next to open windows, fans or near heating or cooling vents.
While we’re all meant to be munching our ‘five a day,’ apparently fruit is not a friend of your flower arrangement. Do not position your vase of flowers near a fruit, as the experts say that ripening fruits release tiny amounts of ethylene gas which can reduce the longevity of your fresh arrangement.
How to Keep Flowers Fresh in a Vase? Acclimatise them!
When you first cut the flowers and put them in a vase of water, put them somewhere cool for a few hours. This will give the blooms the chance to focus on taking in some water without the stress of dealing with a warmer room.
Feed and Feed Again
Flowers from florists come with a sachet of food. Apparently the food usually includes something to help keep the water clean too – who knew! Yet another reason to use it.
So if you are given a bouquet of flowers, do use the food that’s provided. Make sure you mix it into the water thoroughly before putting the flowers in the water. I’m definitely guilty of not doing this properly. All too often I find myself simply tipping the feed in the side of the vase once all the flowers are in place!
However if you are growing your own flowers you won’t have that handy sachet of food. Or even with shop bought blooms the food will run out. Whereas you if you want to keep those blooms fresh you want to keep your flowers topped up with fresh food – possibly every day.
That means making your own. So to help you here are three DIY cut flower food recipes.
How to Keep Your Flowers Fresh in a Vase
Three Food Recipes
When making flower food it’s worth understanding the essential elements you need.
- First up your food needs to contain something acidic. This is to lower the pH of the water. Apparently if it has a lower pH is moves more quickly up the cut stems.
- You also need something which will inhibit bacteria and fungus from developing and therefore help prevent stem rot. After all, if the stems start rotting they can’t feed the blooms with water and food efficiently. Also rotting stems are what makes the water start smelling awful.
- Lastly your plant food needs a sugar. This is to provide that all-important energy that makes any tight buds open up, the flowers look bright, and the leaves look healthy.
OK – so based on these vital elements, here are some recipes to try:
Recipe 1:
- 1x can of a lemon or orange fizzy drink (not a diet variety)
- 36 fluid ounces water
- 1.2 milliliters household bleach
Although there are only three ingredients the order in which you mix them is vital. Put the fizzy drink into the water and THEN add the teeny tiny amount of bleach.
Also, do not use a diet drink as artificial sweeteners do not have the energy your flowers need. (They’re not worrying about the size of their hips).
Recipe 2:
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
Mix together these ingredients and put into the vase before adding the flowers. This is a good one if you don’t want to use bleach. The vinegar acts as the antibacterial agent. However, it can be a bit smelly. It will also make the water look a slightly unappetising brown and it isn’t as effective as bleach. White vinegar doesn’t have the colouration problem but smells even worse!
Recipe 3:
- 2 pints of water
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon household bleach
Again ALWAYS put the bleach into the water last after you’ve added everything else. DO NOT mix it first with the lime or lemon juice.
Also DO NOT attempt a hybrid that combines bleach with vinegar. You’ll create a cloud of toxic chlorine gas!!!
Whichever recipe you go for, for best results I’m afraid you will need to make fresh batches of these foods every day. That’s because the acids in the various mixtures mean the bleach loses its va va voom over time. Having said that, they’re not exactly complicated are they! Also don’t use these recipes if you are using a metal vase. A whole host of chemical reactions may ensue which could wreck your vase and/or lessen the potency of the plant food.
Give Vodka a Shot!
Lastly, I’ve read that adding a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit such as gin) to your vase of flowers can help keep them fresh for longer. Apparently these spirits inhibit ethylene production, and ethylene is a ripening gas that helps plants mature. Slow its production and you slow the wilting of the flowers.
I tried it last week (in a vase I hasten to add) and I can confirm that it works! That said, when I’m wilting after a day in the garden I think I have a greater need of a gin or vodka!
Growing Your Own Vases?
So that’s it some top tips for how to keep your flowers fresh when they’re in a vase.
I’ve used vases of plants I’ve grown during the year to illustrate the piece. I hope you like them. While my arrangements may be hit and miss (I know, mostly miss) there’s no denying the flowers are lovely. Good old Mother Nature. And it feels so satisying to have vases of home grown blooms.
So if you’re interested in growing your own flowers for the home, do give it a try. It’s so rewarding. To help you get started, here are suggestions of plants you could grow to have vases full of flowers all year round.
Flowers for cutting in the summer
Happy gardening – flower arranging – and gin drinking! x
You did a wonderful job in your flower selections. They were beautiful. Thank you 😊
Thank you so much Carole x
Vodka will also reduce the stem growth of flowers whose stems continue to grow after cutting – like tulips. Also works for bulbs you are forcing – paperwhites, amaryllis, tulips, narcissus, hyacinths, etc.
From Cornell University “Pickling your paperwhites” and “Booze stunts stems and leaves, but doesn’t affect blossoms”
Start your bulbs in plain water. When roots have formed and the green shoot is 3-5 cm long, pour off the water and replace with a solution of 4 to 6 percent alcohol (10% is toxic). If you are using 80 proof liquor (40 percent alcohol), that works out to one part gin (or the like) to 7 parts water.
Rubbing alcohol (70 percent isopropyl alcohol) can be substituted; just remember to dilute it more (one part alcohol to 11 parts water). Keep the beer and wine for yourself; their sugars damage plants.”
Phenomenal advice and so interesting, thank you
we are extremely impressed of your work. really you are like a beautiful flower.