I’m a huge fan of having fresh flowers in the house whenever possible, even if they are just cuttings from the yard. Over the years I’ve tested so many methods for how to make cut flowers last longer and today I have the verdict on 7 different theories!

Methods Tested:

• Asprin
• Bleach
• Penny
• Vodka
• 7-Up
• Refrigerate
• Flower Food Packet

First, when arranging flowers always remove any foilage below the water line to avoid bacteria buildup and give the stems a fresh cut at an angle at least 2-3 inches above the bottom cut to optimize water intake. Change out the water every 2-3 days and keep away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. (The ripening fruit emits a gas that can cause flowers to wilt faster, yay for science!)

The Best Way to Make Flowers Last Longer

Of all the methods I’ve tested the clear winner, which you can probably guess by going into any floral shop, was refrigerating the bouquet overnight. It makes the blooms last way longer but if we’re honest, who has time or room in their fridge for that?? Maybe if I had a second refrigerator I could pull that one off routinely but I think for most of us it’s just not practical. So what are the next best options?

Thes best result I’ve found behind refrigerating my cut flowers is to add soda to the vase. For a standard size vase 1/4 cup of 7-Up does the trick. Very similarly, adding a teaspoon of vodka runs a close second behind the soda. (I don’t drink soda so I’m far more likely to have vodka in the house than 7-Up!!?)

The penny, aspirin, flower food and bleach did not seem to do much for my bouquets to extend their lives. In fact, the penny seemed to make the flowers open faster and wilt more quickly as a result.

How to Make Flowers Last Longer?

Adding the soda or vodka to the water along with keeping water fresh and trimming the stems every few days is my current method for making my cut flowers last longer. **Special note-this does NOT apply to hydrangeas, they have an entirely different set of rules you can find here.**

Have you tried any other ways to make flowers last longer that I should give a go? Let me know in the comments below!