A home expert has shared a simple trick to help keep your flowers in bloom for longer, and it involves cutting the stems in a certain way before you put them in your vase
Your next bunch of blooms could last a bit longer if you tweak the way you snip the stems. A fresh bouquet can add a splash of colour to any room, and while they’re often gifted for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, there’s no rule against treating yourself to a bunch.
But anyone who’s ever tried to keep a vase of flowers alive knows it can be a tricky task. The flowers have been severed from their plant and lack roots, so they can’t survive indefinitely, and sometimes, they might start drooping and looking sorry for themselves within just a few days.
However, according to one home expert, there are a couple of tricks you can use to keep your bouquets perky for longer.
Alongside a two-ingredient mix that can be added to your vase water, a certain cutting method could help prevent air getting trapped in the stems, allowing each flower to absorb more water.
When you receive a new bouquet, it’s crucial to trim the stems slightly to help the flowers absorb more water. The stems can dry out, and if you plonk them in water without a trim, the dried tissue could hinder water absorption.
Home expert Chantel Mila warns, however, that snipping the stems can cause air bubbles inside the stem, which can obstruct water uptake and lead to early wilting.
To keep your flowers fresher for longer, simply snip the stem of each bloom under water.
It’s not recommended to do this in the vase you’ll be displaying them in, as you’ll have to retrieve the trimmed sections from the water, so use a separate container filled with fresh water and cut each stem at an angle while submerged.
After cutting, place the flowers into your chosen display vase, where they’re expected to outlast their usual lifespan.
In her TikTok video, Chantel divulged a “genius” concoction of just two ingredients that can be added to your vase to prolong the life of your flowers. Simply combine sugar and vinegar with the water before arranging your stems.
Chantel advises: “Fill a vase with water and then add one tablespoon of sugar to nourish the flowers, and two tablespoons of white vinegar to inhibit bacterial growth. Trim the stems underwater at a 45-degree angle to prevent air entering, and enjoy your fresh blooms.”
The addition of sugar to the water provides essential nutrients that flowers typically get from photosynthesis, while vinegar serves as a gentle antibacterial agent to ward off bacteria that could block the stems and hinder water absorption.
Viewers of Chantel’s video expressed gratitude for her tips, with many praising them as “very useful”.
A particularly appreciative viewer commented: “This is such a simple yet effective trick to keep flowers fresh much longer. Definitely going to try this next time!”