Replace the water regularly.
This is probably what I’m the worst at when it comes to caring for flowers. Once they’re in the water, I forget all about them, but not changing the water just creates a playground for bacteria and other harmful stuff to grow around your stems. A good rule of thumb is to give your flowers a new home (of lukewarm, not too hot or too cold, water) every other day, making sure you clean the vase thoroughly each time so that you’re not dealing with any lingering bacteria.
Cut the stems the right way.
- Cut at a 45-degree angle.
- Snip another inch or two every time you switch out the water.
- Keep the stems underwater while you cut them -- doing so allows the flower to immediately replace the water it loses when its stem is sliced.
- Make sure no leaves are hanging out on the stems or getting submerged, which can just encourage bacteria to grow in the source of your flowers’ life.
Whenever you swap the water, add some magic potion to it.
By magic potion, I mean a mixture of sugar, vinegar (white or apple cider works), and maybe some vodka or bleach. Those last two sound extreme, but hear me out. Sugar provides some of the nutrients the flowers are no longer getting from the ground, and vinegar slows down the growth of bacteria. Vodka actually inhibits the flowers’ production of ethylene, which is a chemical that causes bananas to brown and avocados to ripen that isn’t great for your florals. And bleach -- only a few drops! -- can balance out the water’s pH to make it easier for them to absorb nutrients.
If you have flower food, use it!
The flower food basically does the work for you for the first go ‘round of water. It typically contains sugar and a combination of small amounts of bleach or acid to both nourish the flowers and prevent bacteria growth. Of course, the flower food is only good until you replace the water, but save yourself a step out the gates.
Soda also works.
If you’re out of vinegar and sugar, a lemon-lime soda can be used a replacement. The acidity lowers the pH of the water, and the sugar feeds the flowers. Easy peasy.
Try other (not necessarily proven) tricks.
For example, if your needs are purely aesthetic, spritzing the undersides of the petals and leaves with hairspray will keep them upright and perky for a little while longer. You can also pop your vase in the refrigerator during the overnight hours (no one’s awake to gaze longingly at them, anyway) -- the cool air should do them some good. When they’re on display though, keep them away from direct sunlight and fresh fruit: The sun will just speed up the wilt process, and ripening fruit contains that ethylene we’re not a fan of.