Fresh-cut flowers sure know how to breathe new life into a room! 

Are you looking to prolong the life of fresh-cut flowers? Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help keep that bouquet looking and smelling fresh.

Clean The Vase
Ensure the vase you are using for fresh-cut flowers has been cleaned thoroughly. This will limit the amount of harmful bacteria that can cause flowers to wilt.

Properly Cut Them
If you buy flowers from a shop, this will likely already be done for you. If you get flowers from your garden or farm stand, you’ll want to bring them home and cut stems at a 45-degrees angle. This keeps the stems from laying flat in the vase and allows maximum water absorption. Be sure to use sharp scissors too.

Use Flower Food
Don’t throw away that little bag of flower food! It has all the nutrients flowers need to thrive. Be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the package. Don’t use a home made solution like pop, bleach, or Aspirin.

Refresh The Water
Without water, flowers will dry out fast and die. Check the water level daily to ensure the stems are covered. Every 3-5 days, you’ll want to change the water entirely and recut using the 45-degree method. 

Keep Away From Ripening Fruit And Heat/Cold
Ripening fruit gives off ethylene, an odourless, invisible gas. It’s harmless to humans but it can cause flowers to drop petals. Flowers should also be kept away from heat and cold, whether that’s from a window or your heat/air conditioner system.

Looking for a little indoor floral inspiration? Check out these fun flower projects:

• How to Cut the Hydrangeas in Your Garden for Fresh Floral Arrangements
• DIY Flower Crown
• Pressing Flowers with Janie