10 Guaranteed Tips That Will Make Your Wilted Flowers Back To Life
- Our experienced florists share expert tips to keep your fresh flowers looking fabulous after we deliver it to you!
READ MORE: How To Care For A New Delivered Flower
Uh oh! Do you ever get a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, that brighten your whole week, and then… slowly, their heads start to droop? Then, the only thing that you can think of is compost bin. But, wait! Don’t reach for that yet!
We’ve all been wondering if there’s a way to save our precious fresh flowers, right? Well, guess what? There is! Here at White On White, we’re not just flower sellers, we’re flower experts. And guess what we’ve learned over the years? There are some super simple tricks to bring those wilted flowers back to life!
Our experienced florists have put together several easy tips to bring your wilted flowers back to life. These methods use everyday items you probably already have at home. Whether you have a bouquet, a potted plant, or an arrangement, our tips are designed to work for all kinds of flowers.
Keep reading as we’re about to share 10 easy tips that are guaranteed to work, that will make your flowers look fresh and beautiful again.Â
Table of Contents
Give Them a Fresh Cut and Water
Flowers take in water through their stems, just like we drink through straws. When their stems get a bit dull, they have trouble taking in water. Giving them a fresh cut increases the surface area for water intake and helps them drink more efficiently.
What You’ll Need:
Here’s How to Do It:
Gather Your Supplies: Find your sharp shears or pruners and a clean surface like a countertop or cutting board.
Prep the Flowers: Take one flower out of the vase at a time. Gently hold the flower stem by the base, near where it meets the flower head.
Make the Cut: With your sharp shears or pruners, make a clean cut at an angle of about 45 degrees. Imagine slicing the stem diagonally, not straight across. This creates a larger surface area for the stem to absorb water.
Repeat: Cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) off the bottom of each flower stem. Repeat this process for all the flowers in the arrangement.
PRO TIPS**
Avoid Dull Tools
Blunt shears can crush the stem, making it even harder for the flower to absorb water. Invest in a good pair of sharp shears or pruners for your floral care kit.
Cut Underwater (Optional)
For some sturdier stemmed flowers like roses, you can try cutting them underwater.This helps prevent air bubbles from entering the stem, which can hinder water flow.
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Boiled Water Trick Can Revive Wilted Flowers Back to Life
We’ve all heard the whispers – the legend of the boiled water trick for reviving wilted flowers back to life. But does it really work? You bet it can! This method is particularly effective for woody-stemmed flowers like roses, lilies, and carnations.
The heat from the boiling water helps clear any blockages or air bubbles in the stem that might be hindering water flow. This allows the flower to drink up more water and perk up faster.
What You’ll Need:
Here’s How to Do It:
Fill your pot with enough water to comfortably submerge the flower stems. Bring the water to a full rolling boil on your stovetop.
Carefully remove one flower from the arrangement at a time. Gently hold the flower stem by the base, near where it meets the flower head.
With your sharp shears or pruners, make a clean cut at an angle of about 45 degrees, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the bottom of the stem.
Here comes the shocking part! Immediately after making the cut, carefully dip the cut end of the stem into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Be very careful not to submerge the flower head or leaves.
After the 30-second dip, remove the stem from the boiling water and place it in a cool cup or bowl of clean water for a few minutes. This helps stop the cooking process and allows the stem to cool down.
Once the stem has cooled, place the flower in your clean vase filled with lukewarm water. Repeat steps 2-6 for each flower in your arrangement.
PRO TIPS**
Safety First
Boiling water is dangerous. Make sure to have a pot holder or oven mitt handy to protect yourself from the heat.
Don't Overdo It!
30 seconds is the sweet spot. Don't leave the stem in the boiling water for any longer, as it can damage the flower.
Sugar or Floral Food
Flowers, like us humans, need a little energy boost sometimes. That’s where sugar or floral food comes in! Here’s a breakdown of both options:
Sugar: Readily available source of energy for flowers. It provides carbohydrates that help them continue blooming and maintain their vibrant colors. How to use? Add a teaspoon of regular table sugar to your vase filled with lukewarm water.
Floral Food:Â Commercially available mixture specifically designed to extend the life of cut flowers. It typically contains three key ingredients:
- Sugar: As mentioned above, sugar provides a readily available energy source.
- Acidity Regulator: This helps balance the pH level of the water, creating a more hospitable environment for the flowers.
- Antibacterial Agent: This helps suppress the growth of bacteria in the vase water, which can harm the flowers.
You just have to follow the instructions on the specific brand of floral food you purchase. Generally, you’ll add a small packet (or a few drops of concentrated solution) to your vase filled with lukewarm water.
PRO TIPS**
Sugar vs. Floral Food
While both options can be effective, floral food offers additional benefits like balancing the water's pH and fighting bacteria
Don't Go Overboard
Too much sugar or floral food can actually be harmful to your flowers. Stick to the recommended amounts.
Keeping Your Flowers Out of Direct Sunlight
Imagine yourself on a hot, sunny day. You wouldn’t feel your best, would you? Flowers are the same! While they need some light to survive, too much direct sunlight and hot temperatures can actually shorten their lifespan.
Here’s What to Do:
Move your flowers away from any south-facing windows that receive direct sunlight for most of the day.
Look for a spot in your home that stays relatively cool throughout the day. Ideal locations include hallways, countertops away from heat sources, or even a breakfast nook that doesn’t get direct sunlight.
While cool air is good, avoid placing your flowers in areas with strong drafts from air conditioners or open windows. Drafts can also dry out your flowers.
If your chosen spot receives some indirect light, you can occasionally rotate your vase throughout the day to ensure all sides of the flowers get a gentle amount of light.
PRO TIPS**
The Fruit Bowl Faux Pas
Keep your flowers away from your fruit bowl! Fruits, especially those in the ripening stage, release ethylene gas. This gas is a natural part of the ripening process, but it can wreak havoc on your nearby flowers.
Nighttime Nature's AC
During cooler nighttime hours, you can even place your flowers outdoors on a covered patio or porch (away from direct moonlight) to give them a refreshing cool down. Just bring them back inside before the sun rises.
Aspirin Trick for Reviving Wilted Flowers Back to Life
Some believe aspirin can help clear blockages or air bubbles within the flower stem. This could allow for better water flow and rehydration of the flower. As aspirin is slightly acidic, some theorize it can help regulate the pH level of the vase water, creating a more favorable environment for the flowers.
This is what you’ll need:
Here’s What to Do (Use with Caution):
Crush the Aspirin:Â Carefully crush an aspirin tablet into a fine powder using a clean knife or pill crusher.
Prep Your Vase:Â Fill your clean vase with lukewarm water.
Aspirin Addition:Â Add a very small amount of the crushed aspirin powder and citric juice to the vase water. Start with a quarter of a crushed tablet for a typical vase size.
Stir Gently:Â Gently stir the water to dissolve the aspirin powder.
Test on One Flower:Â Select a single flower from your bouquet and cut the stem diagonally at an angle with a sharp knife. Place this single flower in the prepared vase water with the aspirin.
Monitor the Results:Â Observe the test flower for a few hours. If it seems to perk up and show signs of improvement, you can consider using the aspirin water for the rest of the bouquet. However, if the flower wilts further or shows any negative reactions, discontinue using the aspirin water.
Less is More
Start with a very small amount of aspirin and avoid overdoing it. Too much aspirin can be harmful to flowers.
Not for All Flowers
This method may not be suitable for all flower types. So, it's best for you to test it on a single flower first.
Penny Power: Does Copper Really Help Wilted Flowers Back to Life?
The internet is full of flower-saving hacks, and one of the more curious ones involves adding a penny to the vase water. But does this “copper power” trick actually work to revive wilted flowers back to life? The science is a bit murky, but here’s what you need to know.
The idea behind the penny trick is that the copper in the penny helps kill bacteria in the vase water. Since bacteria growth can contribute to flower wilting, some believe the copper disrupts bacterial activity and extends flower life.
Here’s What to Do:
Grab a Penny: Find a clean, pre-1982 penny (pennies minted after that date are copper-plated zinc).
Prep Your Vase: Fill your vase with lukewarm water.
Penny Power: Drop the penny into the vase water.
However, there’s no strong scientific research to definitively prove that adding a penny to the vase water significantly extends flower life. SO, Focus on the more established methods like fresh cuts, clean water, and proper placement for better results.
Hairspray Hold : A Last Resort for Wilted Roses
This tip is specifically for rose lovers! While the other methods focus on reviving wilted flowers back to life in general, the “hairspray hold” trick targets a specific issue – drooping rose petals.Â
Here’s What to Do:
Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need a can of hairspray (preferably unscented and with a light hold) and your wilted rose(s).
Less is Definitely More: Hold the can at least 12 inches (30 cm) away from the rose.
A Short Burst: Give the rose head a very short, light spritz of hairspray. A single, quick puff is all you need.
Let it Settle: Allow the hairspray to dry completely before touching the rose.
Observe the Results: Monitor the rose for a few hours. If the petals seem to perk up without any damage, you can repeat the light spritz if needed. However, if the petals show any signs of wilting further or discoloration, discontinue using the hairspray.
PRO TIPS**
Test on a Single Petal
If you're extremely cautious, you can test the hairspray on a single petal of the rose before spraying the entire flower head.
Focus on the Outer Petals
Aim the hairspray at the outer petals that are drooping the most. Avoid spraying the center of the rose or the delicate inner petals.
Keeping Your Vase Fresh
Just like a dirty glass can make your water taste funky, a grimy vase can harbor bacteria that harms your flowers. It can clog flower stems, hinder water absorption, and promote faster wilting. Here’s how to keep your vase clean:
Empty and Wash Regularly: Every few days (ideally 2-3 days), empty the vase completely of old water and flowers.
Scrub Away the Germs: Wash the vase thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Pay attention to the inside and rim, where bacteria can accumulate.
Rinse Well: Rinse the vase with clean water to remove any soap residue.
Air Dry Completely: Allow the vase to air dry completely upside down before refilling it with fresh water and flowers. This helps prevent any residual moisture from harboring bacteria.
For stubborn grime or stains, you can add a splash of white vinegar to the warm soapy water when washing the vase. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help remove any lingering dirt.
Removing Spent Blooms
As some flowers start to wilt, it’s time to say goodbye. Wilted flowers not only detract from the overall beauty of your arrangement, but they also release ethylene gas. Ethylene is a natural gas emitted by ripening fruits and wilting flowers, and it can accelerate the wilting process of nearby blooms.
So, what you must do:
Inspect Your Bouquet Regularly: Take a close look at your flowers every few days.
Identify the Fallen Soldiers: Look for flowers with wilted petals, drooping heads, or brown edges. These are the ones past their prime.
Snip Away the Sad Blooms: Using sharp shears or pruners, carefully snip off the wilted flowers at the base of the stem.
Repeat as Needed: Continue removing spent blooms throughout the life of your arrangement.
But wait! Don’t throw away the wilted blooms just yet! You can try drying them or pressing them to create a lasting keepsake.
Mist Your Blooms' Petals
Flowers love moisture, just like we do! Misting helps increase the humidity around the flowers especially in dry environments. This way, it can help them stay hydrated and prevent them from drying out too quickly.
Fill a Spray Bottle: Fill a clean spray bottle with cool water.
Target the Petals and Foliage: Hold the spray bottle at least 12 inches (30 cm) away from the flowers and gently mist the petals and foliage with a light spritz. Avoid drenching the flowers, as this can promote fungal growth.
Mist Occasionally: You can mist your flowers once or twice a day, especially in dry weather or if they’re placed in a room with air conditioning.
Avoid using cold water directly from the fridge for misting and use cool room temperature water is enough. You can also add a few drops of floral food to the water in your spray bottle for an extra boost of hydration and nutrients.
Skip the Revival and Start Fresh!
We hope these 10 tips have given you the ability to combat wilting and prolong the life of your most treasured flowers. From a simple stem cut to the surprising power of copper (or maybe not!), we’ve explored some fascinating methods to revive your wilted flowers back to life.
However, let’s face it, sometimes even the most dedicated flower doctor can’t work miracles. And that’s okay! If your flowers are truly beyond saving, don’t despair!
Here at White On White, we’re passionate about bringing fresh, vibrant blooms to your doorstep. We have a stunning selection of flowers, carefully chosen for their long-lasting beauty and guaranteed freshness. So, you can skip the struggle to revive wilted blooms and fill your home with the joy and fragrance of a brand new, expertly-crafted bouquet!
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