How To Make Fresh Flowers Live Longer

Spring time is upon us and my favorite thing about Spring is all of the beautiful flowers that come into season. Fresh flowers can be expensive so here are my tips to make your fresh flowers last longer.

Tips and Tricks to Make Fresh Flowers Live Longer

1. Make sure to cut 1-2 inches off the stem of each flower. Cut the stem under warm running water using sharp shears.
2. Cut the stem on an angle
3. Remove all low leaves from the flower (cut anything that is below water level). Low leaves tend to rot and will put bacteria into the water.
3. Make sure that your vase is CLEAN. This is a big mistake that many people make. Your vase needs to be clean and free of bacteria before you add your flowers. I usually clean my vase right before I fill it with water.
4.  Give the flowers food. A good trick is to add sugar (about 2 tbsp) to the water to encourage the flowers to bloom. I know it sounds funny but it works!
5. Add a preservative to the water. Many household items act as a preservative, such as:

• 1 aspirin crushed in water and added to the water in the vase...this is my go to and it works fabulously!
• 2 tbsp of white vinegar
• 1 capful of Bleach

6. Change the water every other day. Once again you want to limit bacteria and overall yuckiness so make sure to change the water frequently and of course add your sugar and preservative as well.

7. Different flowers need different care. It may be worth it to do a quick Google search for care of your flower of choice. For instance I learned that Daffodils should not be used in vase arrangements with other flowers because thy secrete a substance that will kill the other flowers...who knew?!

The arrangement below that I highlighted in this post lasted for almost 20 DAYS! (19 to be exact). Take care of your flowers and they will stay beautiful longer for you.

Valentine's Day Floral Arrangement

It has been a long, cold winter here in Utah. I am so excited for Valentine's Day for many reasons but especially because it signifies the coming of Spring. I wanted to add a pop of color to our home so I decided to throw together a quick Valentine's inspired floral arrangement for our family room end table.

Here are my tips for arranging fresh flowers like a pro!

1. Separate Sections for Each Flower with Tape: This allows the flowers to stay in place where you have situated them. The great part is that you cannot see the tape at all once the flowers are placed!

2. Make Sure to Measure: Measuring each stem to the appropriate length is key in creating a professional looking arrangement. Do not chop too much of the stem off immediately! It is always safer to cut a little off until you find the perfect length and then measure each subsequent flower to match.

3. Invest in Some Gorgeous Vases: Vases are a staple for any home. I guarantee you will use them more often then you think for many different reasons. I like to buy a lot of my glassware at TJ Maxx or Home Goods. I bought this vase for only $5.99. It was such a great deal I bought two!

4. Buy Whatever Flowers are on Sale: Fresh flowers can be pricey and I like to keep them in our home as much as possible. Try to buy whatever flowers are in season at the time or have been marked down. Flowers will look naturally gorgeous no matter what so you might as well get a good deal on them. Farmer's Markets are great for purchasing fresh flowers at reasonable prices. I wish we had more in Utah!

For tips on how to make your fresh flowers live longer click here