Fresh flowers are the perfect way to brighten your home. However, your flower arrangement could wither in just a few days without proper care. Fortunately, professional florists recommend a few tricks to extend the life of your beautiful bouquet as long as possible.

5 Tips for Caring for Fresh Flowers

Clean Your Vase

Bacteria is the No. 1 reason flowers wilt more quickly than they should. Every few days, remove your bouquet from the vase and clean the container with baking soda and white vinegar. This mixture will kill harmful bacteria without affecting your flowers, helping them stay fresh longer.

Keep Them out of the Sun

Many people assume fresh flowers will benefit from sunlight the way live plants do. However, cut flowers can overheat and wilt in bright light. Display your blossoms in a cool environment away from direct natural light to get the most from them.

Add a Little Sweetness

Some florists suggest adding a sugar mixture to the water in your vase to keep your bouquet in bloom. Mix three tablespoons of sugar with two tablespoons of white vinegar for every liter of water and add it to your vase. The vinegar kills bacteria and the sugar nourishes the flowers — you’ll be surprised how much longer they will last.

Add a Spritz of Hairspray

The same way hairspray preserves your hairstyle all day, it can keep flowers from wilting. Lightly spritz the undersides of the petals, holding the hairspray container a few inches away, to prevent drooping.

Keep Them Away From Fruit

Ripening fruit and vegetables contain ethylene gas that harms flowers, making them age prematurely. If you plan to keep fresh flowers in your kitchen, move fruits and vegetables to another counter or table.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting floral arrangement to brighten your home, the professionals at Stein’s Flowers & Gifts in Lewisburg, PA, will create the perfect arrangement for you. From bridal bouquets to romantic roses, they have the fresh flowers you need. Call (570) 524-9933 to speak with a florist and visit their website to browse their selection of floral creations. Like them on Facebook for tips and news from the business.