How to keep flowers fresh

Cut flowers will last longer with the right care. Keeping flowers trimmed and in clean water will help to preserve them, but there are several other ways you can extend the beauty of your fresh flowers. Use these tips to keep your flowers fresh.

Steps

1. 
   
   1
   Use soda water to keep flowers fresh.  
2. Add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of soda water to the water and flowers already in a vase. Remember that dark soda water will turn the vase water brown. Clear soda water will not change the color of the water.
4. 
   
   2
   Add sugar and a coin to the water. 
   
   To make your flowers last longer, place 1 cube of sugar and 1 copper penny to the water in your vase. Then add the cut flowers to the vase and arrange them.
5. 
   
   3
   Make a bleach solution. 
   
    Mix 1 qt. (1L) of water with 1/4 tsp. (1.2 ml) of bleach. Pour the mixture into the vase. You may also mix 1 qt. (1L) of water with 1 tsp. (5 ml) of sugar and 3 drops of bleach. Place the flowers into the bleach solution to keep them fresh.
6. 
   
   4
   Add vodka to the water. 
   
    Mix 1 tsp. (5 ml) of sugar and a few drops of vodka to the water in the vase.
7. 
   
   5
   Mix sugar with the water. 
   
    Mix 1 qt. (1L) of warm water with 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of white vinegar and 3 tbsp. (45 ml) of sugar. Place the flowers in a vase, and then pour the vinegar water into the vase. Ensure that the water rises at least 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) above the tips of the flowers' stems.
8. 
   
   6
   Blend aspirin into the water. 
   
    Crush an aspirin tablet. Fill the flowerpot with water. Add the aspirin tablet to the pot. Add the flowers.
9. 
   
   7
   Add vinegar to the water. 
   
    Pour water into a vase. Add 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of sugar and 2 tbsp. (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar to the water. Place the flowers into the vase.
10. 
    
    8
    Spray the flowers with hairspray. 
    
     Aim for the underside of the petals and leaves. Hold the bottle or canister 1 foot (.3 m) away from the flowers. Spray the flowers briefly.
11. 
    
    9
    Maintain the stems. 
    
     Ensure that the water in the flowerpot covers each stem. Trim the bottoms off any stems that have not been receiving water. Use sharp scissors, shears or a knife to trim the stems of the flowers. Trim the stems at a slant of 45 degrees. Refill the pot.
12. 
    
    10
    Remove the leaves. 
    
     To keep your flowers fresh longer, take off any leaves that are covered by water in the vase.
13. 
    
    11
    Display flowers in a large container. 
    
     Keep the flowers in a container large enough to allow the stems room to move.
14. 
    
    12
    Fill your vase with lukewarm water. 
    
     Cut flowers absorb warm water more easily than cold water.
15. 
    
    13
    Change the water. 
    
     Replace the water every day to keep your flowers fresh. Trim the stems each time you change the water.
16. 
    
    14
    Maintain the environment. 
    
     Keep the flowers away from heat and fruit.
17. 
    
    15
    Reduce the arrangement.  
    
    
    
    As individuals flowers wilt, remove them from the flowerpot.
18. 
    
    16
    Cut flowers at the right time. 
19. Cut flowers from your garden during cool parts of the day, preferably in the early morning or late evening.