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Fresh flowers are one of the most gratifying investments you can make for your home. They instantly make any space feel more vibrant and fresh—and as uber-decorator Nate Berkus pointed out, in the dead of winter, it’s especially nice to bring nature inside. To make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, here are a few simple guidelines to extend the life of any bouquet.
Slice stems at a 45 degree angle. This leaves a larger exposed area so blossoms can absorb as much water as possible, and also allows stems to stand on point, so the cut side is fully exposed to water (as opposed to if stems were flat against the bottom of the vase). Re-trimming the stems every couple days can also help prevent wilting.
Remove all the lower foliage. You don’t want any leaves submerged in water, which encourages bacteria to form that not only makes water smell foul but shortens flowers’ lifespan.
Make your own preservatives. If you don’t have those little powder-filled packets that often come with bouquets, you can whip up all-natural, homemade preservatives using the following ingredients: 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon bleach, 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice, 1 quart lukewarm water. The sugar acts as a nutrient, the bleach kills bacteria, and the citrus adds acid which is easier for plants to drink.
Monitor your water levels. Some flowers drink up more water than others, so be sure to keep an eye on water levels to make sure plants stay hydrated. Change the water in your vase every day or two to prevent bacteria from creeping up.
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