5 Tips for Better, Longer Lasting Cut Flowers

updated Jul 16, 2020

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

For the most part, I think we can all agree that cut flowers are beautiful and liven up most any space. That said, many of us are convinced that they aren’t worth our time because we’ll just kill them within the day. Here are 5 tips to keep them lasting longer and looking better, even when you swear your thumb isn’t green.

1. Make Sure Your Scissors Are Sharp: Although it’s easy to grab any scissor around the house, finding the sharpest pair will allow your stems to receive the most amount of water possible. Dull blades will crush the stem and the life of your blooms will diminish.

2. Cut Flowers In the Coolest Part of the Day: Cutting flowers when it’s cool and getting them in water immediately will help lengthen the bloom time. Cutting when it’s warmer will rob your stems of valuable moisture.

3. Don’t Mix Fruit and Flowers: Fruit and other plants can give off gasses that will wilt your cut blooms faster. Try keeping them away from other plants in your home or a bowl of fruit on your table.

4. Change the Water Everyday: Would you want to drink the same glass of water everyday? Your flowers don’t either. Change it daily to eliminate mold, debris and keep things fresh.

5. Hot and Cold Matters: Do you need your blooms to open faster? Fill your vase with hot (not boiling) water. Need to keep them looking great a little longer? Cold water, even with a few ice cubes, will do the trick!

Do you have any tips you’ve learned over the years? Share your best ones in the comments below!

MORE HELPFUL FLOWER ADVICE
• How to: Keep Cut Flowers Looking Fresh
• How To: Display Cut Flowers (10 Easy Ways)
• Succulent, A Green Alternative to Cut Flowers
• How To Extend the Life of Your Cut Flowers

Image: Susie Nadler