Making Cut Flowers Last Longer

John Nash, Master Gardener Hotline

February 8, 2023

St. Valentine's Day is the time many of us are given cut flowers as gifts. How can you make these beautiful gifts last longer? Here are tips for preserving your cut flowers:

Use a thoroughly cleaned vase or container.
re-cut stems back about an inch at a 45 degree angle. Cutting at an angle exposes more stem surface so that the flower can more readily absorb water.
Remove any leaves from the stems which would be immersed in the container water. If not removed, these leaves will deteriorate and shorten the life of the cut flowers.
Remove any dead flowers. Dead flowers will contaminate the water, causing other stems to die prematurely.
Change the water in the container every other day and re-cut the stems again.
Use a commercial cut flower preservative in the container water. These preservatives provide nutrients to the flower, thereby preserving the flowers longer.
Keep flowers out of direct sunlight and in a cool area. Direct sunlight or excessive heat will dehydrate the blooms and shorten the bloom life.

Featured Stories

Programs of Interest Coming Soon

Purdue Extension has several upcoming programs that may appeal to you. Here’s a quick recap...

Three grain bins standing with the sun behind them.

Purdue Extension workshop offers strategies to future-proof farms

Purdue Extension invites Indiana farmers and agricultural families to attend Farm Shield:...

Stay Vigilant to Avoid Deer Collisions

Stay vigilant to avoid deer-vehicle collisions.

A veteran in her military uniform is smiling.

Supporting veterans year-round with resources for success

Purdue Extension, in partnership with the National AgrAbility Project and Indiana AgrAbility,...

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Awarded IRS-Sponsored Vita Grant

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is proud to announce it has been awarded the...

Persimmon fruit - Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Divine Fruit?

If you were offered fruit with the nickname “divine fruit” or “fruit of the...