Eight clever hacks to keep flowers fresher for longer
Whether it's a special occasion like Valentine's Day, a bunch you've bought to treat yourself or to brighten up the home, you want your flowers to stay as fresh and vibrant for as long as possible.
We've got some tips and tricks to prevent blooms wilting too soon and keep them fresher for longer.
READ MORE: Three flower arranging hacks you need to know to make your blooms look professionally styled
Keeping flowers in the fridge will keep them fresh and crisp for longer. iStock
Add sugar to the water
Some florists recommend adding some sugar to the water. The sugar helps feed the flowers the right nutrients to survive longer even after they are cut.
Vodka
Booze up your blooms! Adding a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit) is said to have a special effect on your flowers, slowing the ageing process and allowing flowers to stay fresher for longer.
Refrigerate
There's a reason florists keep flowers stored in the fridge.
It helps slow down the process of water loss and keep the blooms looking fresh and crisp.
To store them properly, fill the vase about three quarter full and then pop the flowers in.
READ MORE: Expert tips and tricks for styling your indoor plants
Remove the leaves
Make sure you remove the leaves from your water. Leaves can contaminate the vase water thanks to fertiliser residue. By keeping leaves out of the water, it'll stay clean and free of bad smells.
Sprite/Lemonade
Like adding sugar to the vase water, sprite or lemonade does the same job. The sugar in the soda will make the flowers last longer acting as a food and it also makes the water more acidic, meaning it can travel up the stem of the flower quicker.
You can also use homemade lemonade for this hack too. Getty
Water change
Change the water entirely every two days.
Flowers drink a lot of water and it's important to remove any bacteria that builds to keep the flowers nice and fresh.
Spritz with hairspray
One way to keep the petals fresh, especially on roses, is to give them a spritz of hairspray.
Before you put them in a vase, spray the flowers lightly with hairspray, but keep the nozzle far enough away to prevent damaged petals.
Be careful not to over do it, all you need is a light coat.
Hang the flowers upside down until the hairspray dries completely and pop them in the vase and you're good to go.
READ MORE: The forgotten indoor plant habit you need to get into now for healthy, even-looking greenery
A light spritz of hairspray every few days will keep the petals looking nice and fresh. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Vinegar
Putting a touch vinegar mixed with the water along with the sugar helps to prevent the growth of bacteria.
This will keep your flowers fresher for longer as also it stabilises the pH balance.
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