DIY: Make Your Own Floral Preservative

We love flowers. What we don't like: their short life. So we use that little white package of floral preservative that accompanies some bouquets. Containing sugar, for nutrition; bleach, to keep the water free of bacteria; and, citric acid to acidify the water, it keeps our posies looking fresh and beautiful. You can also make your own. Recipe after the jump...

To a vase of warm water, add:

1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon household bleach
2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice

Add cut flowers. Keep your arrangement in a cool place, away from heat and sun, and add fresh water daily.

Related Links:

The Los Angeles Flower Mart

Pod Stoneware Vase

[photo by Judy Nayer]

Comments (5)

Ahhh, lemon/lime juice, that's what I'm missing! I usually just do hydrogen peroxide, sugar, and water. It helps a bit, but not too much... the "flower food" always seems to do a much better job.

posted by sparkle on March 3rd 2008 at 1:25pm
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this is just what i needed! is this appropriate for all types of flowers?

posted by ljh on March 3rd 2008 at 1:34pm
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Thanks for the recipe! I kept reading advice suggesting adding soda to flower water, but I don't drink soda and never have it around!

posted by OneWallKitchen on March 3rd 2008 at 2:20pm
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I wonder if fruit fresh, which is citric acid, would work the same/better than the citrus juice?

posted by GoddessofPurple on March 3rd 2008 at 3:08pm
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i love the two for the road poster in the background!

posted by laraena on March 3rd 2008 at 3:27pm
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