There’s nothing I love more than fresh flowers to add a splash of vibrant color to any room, especially during summer.
But, as the outdoor temperatures soar, my indoor spaces tend to trap that heat, which can quickly take a toll on my beautiful blooms. And it’s always disheartening watching those vibrant, lively blooms quickly droop and lose their freshness — so soon after I’ve bought them.
Besides the obvious of moving them away from direct sunlight, I called on a florist to offer advice on how to prevent flowers from wilting in a heatwave. Not only are these simple, but they will help to extend their lifespan (and save me money!). Here are the 3 top tips to ensure you have longer-lasting flowers this season.
1. Don’t forget to change the water more frequently
It's very easy to forget changing your vase water regularly, especially if it looks clear. But scorching heat and high humidity offer the perfect breeding ground for nasty bacteria to thrive.
“One trick people usually miss is changing the water in their vase,” adds Vicky Salmon, florist at Interflora.
“Bacteria love warm weather, so in a heatwave they’ll be busy growing in that lovely fresh water you’ve given them. Take the time every other day to empty your vase, give it a clean and fill it with fresh water and your blooms will love you for it.”
Bacteria love warm weather, so in a heatwave they’ll be busy growing in that lovely fresh water you’ve given them
Vicky Salmon, florist
Also, don’t forget to clean your vase too, especially if the glass has turned murky or has stains. If you want to eliminate the scrubbing, check out these hacks for cleaning a flower vase and get it sparkling again.
2. Relocate to a bigger vase
Whether you have a huge floral arrangement or simply like to add to your bouquet, it’s always better to relocate them to a larger vase (rather than cramming them all in). This will allow more airflow through the flowers, which will prevent them from quickly wilting in the heat.
“To make sure air can circulate through the bouquet, choose a vase with a wider neck,” adds Salmon. “Think of it like the floral version of wearing loose-fitting clothes; flowers need air too!”
In addition, if you notice a couple of drooping stems, don’t be tempted to throw out your entire arrangement. Simply pick out the fading blooms right away to ensure they don't ruin the healthy ones.
“Keep a close eye on them and as soon as a bloom looks past its best, whip it out and pop it in the compost; that way you’ll avoid it contaminating the water with any nasties,” explains Salmon.
“Eventually your vase will start to look a little sparse, but don’t panic – if there’s still life in some of the blooms just transfer them to little posy vases.”
3. Don’t forget to give them a mist
Just like us, our flowers need to keep cool in the summer, and an additional mist can help them beat the heat. Simply fill a spray bottle with cold water and mist your blooms a few times a day.
“Now’s the time to make friends with a spray bottle,” adds Salmon. “You can buy these in all sorts of places, like garden centres, homeware stores or online. We love an elegant amber glass spray bottle, because it’s beautiful and functional (and more eco-friendly than plastic to boot). Fill your bottle with cool water and mist your flowers a few times a day.”
Similarly, flowers thrive on food, and remember to feed your bouquet regularly to help it last longer. If you are ever unsure, simply look up your exact bloom variety to find the right food for them.
For more tips, check out these 5 ways to make your cut flowers last longer (and look better).
