Top Tips To Make Flowers Last Longer

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On the JJ Barnes Blog, ready for Mother’s Day, I check out top tips from a gardening expert for how to make flowers last longer.

Mother’s Day Flowers

Ah, Mother’s Day! A time to celebrate the women who raised us with love and support, and a beautiful bunch of fresh flowers is a traditional way to do just that. But let’s face it, those vibrant blooms rarely last the whole week, especially when they’re left in my charge. This year, I’m determined to keep any flowers I’m gifted looking fresh and fabulous for as long as possible.

So, I decided to tap into the wisdom of a gardening expert. After all, who knows more about keeping plants happy than someone with a green thumb? In this blog post, I’m sharing the top tips I learned to make Mom’s Mother’s Day bouquet last longer. Get ready to discover simple yet effective tricks to ensure those blooms stay bright and beautiful, allowing you and the wonderful mothers you love to enjoy their cheerful presence throughout the week.

According to Julian de Bosdari, CEO of UK plant nursery Ashridge, it all comes down to preventing conditions that allow bacteria to flourish, so he sent over his top tips for how to prolong the lifespan of your flowers and keep them looking healthy for as long as possible. 

Flowers are one of the most beloved Mother’s Day gifts, and it’s disappointing that they don’t last longer than they do. However, putting in the effort to take special care of cut flowers will both allow shoppers to get the best value for money and recipients to enjoy their gift for as long as they possibly can. 

Keeping your bouquet clean, hydrated, nourished and out of the sun will go a long way in maintaining it, and eliminating nasty bacteria from its environment can help prevent the flowers deteriorating prematurely. 

Remember, you can always press or dry your flowers once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan to preserve their beauty and hold onto the significance behind them.  

If you are put off by the fleeting nature of cut flowers, a houseplant or garden flowers can be an equally beautiful alternative that your loved one will be able to enjoy for many years.

-Julian de Bosdari, CEO of Ashridge

Top Tips To Make Flowers Last Longer

Choose a long-lasting variety

For those buying a cut bouquet this Mother’s Day, one of the easiest ways to ensure the longevity of your flowers is to opt for a naturally long-lasting variety.  

Chrysanthemums: These cheerful blooms come in a dazzling array of colors and offer incredible vase life, lasting up to three weeks with proper care. Their sturdy stems and tightly packed petals make them resistant to drooping.

Lilies: Elegant and fragrant, lilies are a classic Mother’s Day choice. Oriental lilies, in particular, are renowned for their long-lasting blooms, sometimes lasting up to two weeks. Just remember to remove the pollen-laden stamens to prevent staining the petals.

Alstroemeria: Often called “Peruvian lilies,” these vibrant flowers boast a unique trumpet-shaped form and come in a delightful range of colors. They’re known for their extended vase life, lasting up to two weeks, and their strong stems make them stand tall and proud in an arrangement.

Carnations: Don’t underestimate the humble carnation! These affordable flowers are surprisingly long-lasting, with proper care keeping them fresh for up to two weeks. They symbolize love and admiration, making them a perfect choice for Mom.

Gerbera Daisies: These cheerful blooms bring sunshine into any room. While they might not last quite as long as some other options, gerberas can still hold their own in a vase for up to a week with proper care.

On the other hand, more delicate varieties, such as tulips and peonies, have a vase life of around five days, and are likely to wilt much more quickly. 

Always start with a clean vase 

The very first thing you should do with your bouquet is make sure you have a clean vase to place them in. Vases with narrow openings are typically harder to clean and are prone to trapping bacteria, which can contaminate the water and cause flowers to age and decompose quicker, so aim to use a vase with a wide opening if possible. 

Try to avoid using a plastic vase, as the porous material is more likely to harbour bacteria. Glass vases and ceramic vases make for better options, as they are not only easier to clean, but will also elevate the look of your bouquet. 

Trim flower stems at an angle 

Cut flower bouquets have their stems pre-cut but they are likely to have closed up by the time you purchase them.  Therefore, it’s important to trim half an inch off each stem at a 45-degree angle using a clean knife or pair of sharp flower shears, before setting your flowers in a vase. 

Cutting the stems diagonally maximises the surface area for water absorption, allowing your flowers to stay more hydrated. Make sure to trim the stems of your flowers every couple of days to allow flowers the best chance of absorbing water. 

Remove foliage below the water line 

Any leaves or petals submerged in vase water should be removed as they can promote bacterial growth. Bacteria can clog the stems, which obstructs water absorption and shortens the lifespan of your flowers. 

You can keep any healthy foliage that is above the water line, to preserve your bouquet and make it look as full as possible. 

Keep flowers out of sunlight and away from fruit 

Flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources as these can cause wilting. Direct sun and heat also prompt buds to bloom quicker, shortening the bouquet’s lifespan.  

It’s best to place your flowers in a cooler environment with plenty of indirect light rather than directly within the sun’s rays or near a radiator.

Make sure to also keep flowers away from the fruit bowl, as ripening fruit such as bananas and apples produce an odourless gas called ethylene, which causes flowers to age and drop petals more quickly.

Change the vase water regularly 

Make sure the water in your vase is clean and change it often to remove any bacteria. This should be done every two days, but you can also do it daily, especially for more delicate varieties.  

If the vase water is visibly cloudy or has debris in it, this is a sign that it needs replacing with fresh water.  

Use nourishing flower food 

You often get a small sachet of liquid flower food with your bouquet, so make sure to add this to the water, when you first put them in a vase. To extend the bouquet’s shelf life, aim to add additional flower food each time that you replace the water. 

If you can’t get your hands on proper flower food, don’t fret. You can make a homemade solution by adding two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar to one litre of lukewarm water. 

The sugar provides energy to nourish the flowers, while the white vinegar lowers the water’s pH, which improves water absorption and helps to remove bacteria from the water due to its antimicrobial properties. 

Check on your flowers often and handle them with care 

Regularly check up on your flowers and remove any wilting petals. This not only makes your bouquet look healthier but also prevents the spread of bacteria in the vase water.  

Cutting off wilting foliage also gives new buds space to bloom, resulting in a flourishing bouquet that’s even bigger and more beautiful. 

Though some flower varieties are highly durable, it’s a good idea to be gentle when handling your bouquet. Avoid crushing or squeezing the stems as this can cut off water uptake to the plant. Petals are particularly delicate – treat them with care to prevent any damage and keep them looking their best. 

Conclusion

By following these simple tips and opting for long-lasting flower varieties, you can ensure yours and your m’s Mother’s Day blooms stay vibrant and beautiful for a whole week, or even longer!