First, if you are choosing the flowers, make sure you get the freshest you can find. That sad looking bunch at your local service station isn’t going to last more than a couple of days!
Florists keep their flowers in a fridge, so they are going to last longer, or go to your local flower markets yourself. If going to the flower markets isn't an option, choose flowers that are known to last a bit longer, such as lilies, carnations, zinnias, and chrysanthemums.
Fresh flower prep
Most people would know that it’s best to trim the ends of the stems of cut flowers before we put them in water – but using scissors can crush or tear at the stems. Instead, use a sharp, non-serrated knife or secateurs to cut about 3cm off the bottom at a 45-degree angle.
- Also remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline; these leaves can breed bacteria when submerged which won’t be helpful to the longevity of your flowers!
- Check your flowers daily and remove any dead or loose leaves and petals, which can cause bacterial rot.
Magic ingredients!
Per litre of water:
- Freshly cut flowers will last longer if you add 1/4 teaspoon bleach with one teaspoon of sugar. This will also keep the water from getting cloudy and help to stop bacteria growth.
- Adding 1/4 cup lemonade to the water has a similar effect. Don’t use diet or no sugar varieties, as it’s the sugar in the drink that helps.
- Add 2 tbsp of white vinegar; this also acts as an effective antibacterial agent and works to balance the pH balance of the environment.
- Give your flowers a tipple! Adding a few drops of vodka (or any other white spirit) along with a teaspoon of sugar will help to minimise bacteria growth in the vase water, as well as providing some nourishment.
- If you’d rather save your vodka for cocktails, try adding some aspirin. This is thought to lower the pH of the water and keep it clear of bacteria. Just crush 1 aspirin with the back of a spoon and mix the powder into the water before adding your flowers - or use a soluble version of the aspirin.
- If you set and forget your flowers once they are in the vase, your flowers won’t last as long as they will if you regularly change the water. Do this every second day, using room temperature water along with any of the water additives you have chosen to use.
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