How to Care for Spring Flowers & Make Them Last Longer

So you have just received a gorgeous bunch of spring blooms, or perhaps you've treated yourself to some seasonal favorites from the local market. They're sitting pretty in your home, brightening up the space with their colors. Fast forward three days, and those once-perky petals are drooping sadly, with water turning murky and stems going slimy. Sound familiar? Here is what you need to do just after you receive flowers in Memphis TN.

Check your vase

That decorative ceramic vase might look fantastic with your interior design scheme, but if you haven't cleaned it properly since last year, you're basically creating a bacteria party, with your fresh flowers as the guests of honor. Bacteria is flower enemy number one, and that grimy residue from previous arrangements is a breeding ground for microorganisms that will choke the life out of your new blooms.

Before your flowers even touch water, grab some dish soap and give that vase a proper scrub. A tablespoon of bleach in warm water works wonders for disinfecting; just make sure you rinse thoroughly afterward. 

Be mindful of the water temperature 

Pouring whatever temperature water happens to come out of your tap is a rookie mistake that's costing your spring blooms precious days. Different flowers have different preferences, and ignoring this fact is like serving hot coffee to someone who ordered iced tea.

Spring bulb flowers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths prefer cold water. It slows down their development and keeps them looking fresh longer. Roses and lilies, on the other hand, drink up lukewarm water more efficiently.

The cut makes or breaks your blooms

That straight cut across the stems might seem logical, but it's actually limiting your flowers' water intake. When you bring flowers home, you need to recut them at a 45-degree angle under running water. This prevents air bubbles from forming in the stem (which block water uptake) and creates more surface area for hydration.

For woody stems like lilacs or cherry blossoms, split the bottom of the stems about an inch up to increase water absorption. It might seem excessive, but these techniques can literally double the lifespan of your arrangement.

Flower food isn't just a packet to throw away

That little packet that comes from your Memphis florists isn't packaging filler, it's life support. Commercial flower food contains three essential elements: sugar for energy, acidifiers to optimize water absorption, and antibacterial agents to keep the water clean.

No packet? Make your own with 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon household bleach, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice per quart of water. Skip aspirin, pennies, or vodka in the water because they simply don't work and can actually harm certain flower varieties.

Location is very important 

Putting your arrangement on that sunny windowsill is essentially placing it in a floral dehydration chamber. Heat and direct sunlight are bloom killers, especially for delicate spring varieties like ranunculus and anemones. Keep your flowers away from fruit bowls, too (ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which signals flowers to age faster). 

Daily maintenance isn't optional

The "set it and forget it" approach doesn't work with flowers. Every day, you should:

• Change the water completely

• Remove any fallen leaves or petals in the water

• Recut stems by 1/2 inch

• Remove any blooms that are past their prime

This routine takes three minutes but can extend your arrangement's life by a week or more. 

Follow these straightforward care techniques, and you'll be enjoying those cheerful blooms long after your neighbor's have hit the compost pile. So, get fresh-cut spring flowers today from Naturally Craft'd, your local florist in Oakland TN, and follow our tips!

Also read Unusual Spring Flowers You Need to Know About This April.