Increasing the Vase Life of Cut Flowers

While seeds may be started and early bulbs may be around the corner, having cut flowers around the house provides a welcome burst of garden color in the winter. There are several ways to prolong the vase life of cut flowers.

1. Sanitize your vase – Bacteria can build up in the bottom of vases, so clean them with a mild bleach solution and warm water.
2. Recut the stems under lukewarm water – Every few days lift the flowers out of the vase and cut off the lowest 1-2” of stem while they are submerged in water. When cut in air, air bubbles form in the xylem. Make sure your tools are sharp and sanitized as well.
3. Use a flower preservative – Most floral shops will provide a packet of preservative to use with your bouquet. The preservative contains a bactericide, sugar for sustenance, and a mild acid as a catalyst for sugar uptake. Only use a small portion of this packet each day.
4. Keep the bouquet out of direct sunlight.
5. Change the vase water often – Changing water every day or every other day dramatically reduces the bacteria populations that eat away at the cut flowers. Don’t forget to add a few drops of the flower preservative.

Here is the expected vase life of some common cut flowers:

Less than One Week: Iris, Tulip, Sweet Pea, Snapdragon, Daffodil

One Week: Rose, Baby’s Breath, Marguerite Daisy, Peony

Two Weeks: Orchid, Carnation, Chrysanthemum

Prepared by Lindsey Smith, Collections Curator